Beginning at 7:30 AM, we had breakfast. I had dry Honey Nut Cheerios. We went to the NELHA Visitor Center to learn about OTEC, a clean and natural way to produce energy. OTEC makes use of a 20 degree Celcius change in water temperature from the surface water to the deep sea water. The surface water, at 25*C, boils Anhydrous Ammonia, turning it into steam to turn a generator. The deep sea water condenses the steam to a liquid, so the cycle can continue. Next, we went to a Hawaiian Monk Seal Rehabilitation Center. The monk seals are brought in via boat or plane and treated of ailments or diseases. The monk seals are the most endangered sea mammals in the world, so the rehab center’s job is very important. Native Hawaiians are polytheistic. They believe that Mauna Kea was formed out of the love between the earth mother and heaven father. The gods stretched out to touch each other, creating the mountain. 13 observatories are stationed atop Mauna Kea due to its high elevation and being at 19.5 degrees N Latitude. This gives it the ability to see all of the Northern sky and parts of the Southern Sky.
I am looking forward to the SCUBA dives tomorrow to see if I remember the necessary skills to survive and not get the bends. I wish we could be doing more SCUBA dives, so I will definitely enjoy each moment of it. I am also looking forward to revisiting the Monk Seal Rehab Center and examining blood samples of its patient.
