2018

The first thing we did today was visit the NELHA research facility. Here we learned Hualālai their efforts to create energy by using cold deep sea water and warm surface water, and using them in a closed OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) which evaporates ammonia so that it can be ran through a turbine which creates electricity, then it...

Today we got to see conservation efforts in Hawaii and go on a hike. We saw a presentation on OTEC, saw a grape farm, learned about seals, and hiked down to a black sand beach. I learned about OTEC, which uses water temperature to generate electricity, how to teach a seal how to eat, and how to grow grapes...

After a long, overwhelming, and exhausting day of traveling, we have made it to our Hale (Hawaiian for house) and are split into groups. I am staying in the main Hale along with two other pairs of seniors and the three teachers. The collection of houses and surrounding lawns grow clusters of fruit trees. The seniors explored the area...

After a long and overwhelming day of travel, we finally arrived in this beautiful and tropical environment. The exhilarating ride up the canyon road lead us to our private housing compound, our home for the week. As soon as exiting the van, we eagerly explored the wooded environment. The narrow winding pathways and short trees leads to searching for...

The plane touched down at KOA today around two this afternoon. We met up with our hosts, the Hansens, and we drove about thirty minutes to where we're staying. The weather was very foggy today. There was lots of vog in the sky. Once we all got settled in our rooms, I went for a swim, and then had...

After a long and exhausting day of travel, we arrived at “Homes over Kona,” our humble abodes for the next seven days. Rather quickly, my classmates and I accustomed ourselves to the individual “hales” (homes) that well be staying in. Shortly after we unpacked and ate dinner, we received an orientation from the lovely staff about expectations and what...

Arriving at Kona we were greeted with a warm welcome and beautiful sites. My favorite part of today was finding a lychee tree and going on a small adventure to get the fruit. We went to find a large stick with which we knocked down some fruit and ate it. This reminded me of my grandma who has a...

Looking forward to the trip in Hawai‘i, I cant wait to embark on new dive adventures especially the night dives. I have been diving before, in fact I went on the trip last year to Virgin Gorda where my favorite dive was the Kodiak Queen. On the wreck dive we went to 60 feet and ventured our way through...

Today is my first day on the island of Kona and I am extremely excited for the days to come. Tomorrow my group, the Pyrosome group, will be heading to the summit of Mauna Kea. While I am very excited to hike up a mountain for the first time, I am definitely not ready for the 30 degree weather...