Yesterday, we started the day off with the Ocean Conservation Tour. This was at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). We learned about a lot of interesting techniques that they are developing to meet our energy needs. One of these developments that I found most interesting, was Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or OTEC.
OTEC works by using the temperature difference between warm surface water, and water at great depth to produce energy. We visited a facility the facility.
Next, we went to a Monk Seal rehabilitation center nearby called Ke Kai Ola. We looked at the laboratory/surgery room, where all the medical procedures and blood work are done on the seals in Rehabilitation, as well as the kitchen, where we learned how the seals are fed. Hawaiian Monk Seals are the most endangered aquatic mammal in the U.S., with only 1500 and Ke Kai Ola is doing their part to try to help these endangered species. These animals suffered their greatest losses during World War II, due to over-hunting. Now, they are just recently starting to make a increase to their numbers at a rate of about 2% a year.
After Lunch in the car, we drove out to Pololu Valley for a hike. The trail lead down to a beautiful black sand beach next to two cliffs. Behind it was a bunch of grassy, rolling hills all shaded by tall trees.
On our way back, we stopped at two fruit stands. One of them grew fresh white pineapple. It tasted sweeter than other pineapple and it had seeds; something that commercially grown pineapple don’t have. Accross the street was another fruit stand called Fresh Off the Grid where I bought a smoothie, three papayas, and a lime.
Just before dinner, we stopped at a lava tube along the Queen K highway right by the airport. As we explored the lava tube, we learned about the two types of lava rock. Aa lava rock, which is sharp and jagged, and Pahoehoe lava rock, which is smooth, and rope like.
