Maps aplenty ADVERTISING Maps aplenty Recently in the Tribune-Herald (Your Views, March 6), Ms. Sara Steiner of Pahoa commented on the need for more maps of the lava progress every two days or so. She wrote to “the Lava Nazis
Maps aplenty
Recently in the Tribune-Herald (Your Views, March 6), Ms. Sara Steiner of Pahoa commented on the need for more maps of the lava progress every two days or so. She wrote to “the Lava Nazis in charge”: “Can you please give more money to the poor, poor, poor Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists to make updated maps everyday or two.”
First of all, the HVO is a federal entity, a section of the USGS. If one goes to www.usgs.gov and clicks the little map of the Hawaiian islands, numerous informational links will appear on screen.
One of those is: “Current Volcano Activity in the Hawaii Range.” This web page presents many up-to-date high-resolution photos of the lava progress. Since the lava is not moving at a fast rate right now, the maps and photos are updated periodically or as necessary to keep the public well-informed.
The HVO does a very nice job keeping Big Island informed about the lava flows and any other related issues concerning Hawaiian geology.
Also, when there is lava movement, the Tribune-Herald regularly prints updates about lava progress and other related community notices.
Finally, since the County of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii barely have enough money just to pay all the numerous people on their respective public payrolls, I doubt they would donate any “extra tax proceeds” that might be gathering dust to an unrelated government office.
Arthur Warren
Keaau
Pool a safe haven
Big Blue Swimming has a place to call home, thanks to head lifeguard Cassandra Beccia and her awesome staff at the Pahoa Community Aquatic Center.
Over the past months, this community has faced a lot of ordeals, and yet the wonderful people at the pool kept things going. They offered a place to be free of worry from the everyday chaos.
We want to openly thank them for all that they do, for their dedication, and for showing our little swim team the support we needed. We would also like to thank all the wonderful people from Hawaii County who believe in these kids’ programs!
Dorothy A. Staskawicz
Head coach, Big Blue Swimming
