MEDIA ADVISORY: Ceremony for new U.S. Geological Survey facility at UH Hilo

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Kelli Abe Trifonovitch, (808) 228-8108
Chief Communications Officer, UH Office of Communications
Rachel Pawlitz, (571) 455-6586
Chief Public Affairs Officer, Lead Spokesperson, U.S. Geological Survey
Posted: Jun 26, 2023

WHAT:  Ceremony and gathering for a new research facility for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) and the Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC).

  • UH Hilo personnel are coordinating the ceremony, called a kīpaepae, which is focused on coming together in the new space location.

WHERE:  On the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus 

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 9 a.m.

WHO: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Geological Survey Director David Applegate, UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, UH Hilo students, etc.

WHY: The new facility will bring together researchers and partners to monitor, investigate and assess hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes and conduct research to support management and conservation of biological resources in Hawaiʽi and the Pacific. It also enhances educational opportunities for UH Hilo students, such as research partnerships and student internships.

FOR MEDIA:  If attending, please RSVP by Tuesday, June 27, to Rachel Pawlitz at rpawlitz@usgs.gov

OTHER FACTS:

  • The 60,000-square-foot Integrated Research Center will include office spaces, conference rooms, laboratories, warehouse and storage, and an operations/monitoring center.
  • U.S. Secretary of the Interior Haaland will also visit with UH Hilo students.