Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kilauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. Those changes can indicate whether magma is accumulating in a volcano’s magma reservoir. The surveys measure small gravity changes over time at precisely controlled locations (“benchmarks”) spread across the volcano’s summit region.

Spring in the northern hemisphere officially starts on March 21, but in upland Hawaiian gardens, the budding cherry blossoms tell us spring is already here. In just one week we will celebrate the 30th Annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. The official day of celebration will be Saturday, Feb. 4, but you can view these gorgeous trees beginning to bloom now.

Star anise, or Illicium verum, has antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in Ayuveda and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The compound shikimic acid in star anise is the active ingredient in flu medications such as Tamiflu.

Newberry Volcano is one of the largest and most hazardous active volcanoes in the United States. It is designated a “very high threat” volcano in a recent assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey, like Mauna Loa and Kilauea. It has been active for more than 530,000 years, most recently 1,300 years ago.

Cool weather makes gardening fun so local folks start thinking about garden projects. It is a great time to get acquainted with our Hawaii Island Master Gardeners. This coming Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the East Hawaii Master Gardeners are having a plant sale at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Komohana Ag Complex in Hilo.

Pahala, a town located in the southeast part of the Island of Hawaii, lies above the state’s most seismically active area. In the last 5 years, the average weekly number of earthquakes has increased from about 60 to 600 earthquakes per week.

When it comes to community out reach, The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture Extension Service is comparable to the way Peace Corps reaches out to folks in other countries. The Master Gardener program is an important component of the UHCTAHR Extension Service. The program is set up to assist local folks with home gardening issues.