First we stopped at NELHA (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii of Authority) and learned about conservation efforts such as OTEC (Ocean Energy Thermal Conversion). OTEC works by using warm surface sea water, cold deep sea water, and ammonia. The warm surface sea water boils the ammonia because it has a low boiling point, capturing the gas of boiling ammonia which has a low boiling point. The ammonia gas turns a turbine and generates energy. The ammonia gas is cooled down and into a liquid and used again. Next we went to a monk seal conservation center and learned that they are the most endangered mammal on the Earth (only 1,500 alive). We learned how the center cares and feeds the malnourished monk seals. Next we went up the mountain of Mauna Kea and learned how important it is to Hawaiian culture and astronomy research. The Hawaiians believed that they were closest to the gods at the summit and they built a sacred alter on the summit. Mauna Kea is important to astronomy research because you can sea 80% of the stars at night and the low amount light pollution. Before we went home, we learned about some of the stars while drinking hot chocolate and eating brownies. Tomorrow I look forward to diving and going back to the monk seal conservation center.
OTEC generator
Mauna Kea summit
