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Mauna Loa Weather Observatory has been collecting atmospheric data for more than 60 years but
its access road and electricity is cut, putting its Keeling Curve research on hold.
Photo from Mauna Loa Observatory |
ONE OF THE LOSSES IN THE MAUNA LOA ERUPTION is abandonment of Mauna Loa Weather Observatory by the Keeling Curve group, if only temporarily. The Observatory is the place where data showing ozone depletion in the atmosphere led to the earliest research on global warming. The Observatory has measured CO2 and other metrics continuously from its Mauna Loa station, almost uninterrupted for more than 60 years.
The data relating to climate is called The Keeling Curve, named for Charles David Keeling who selected Mauna Loa as the ideal location for carbon dioxide measurement, with its isolation of Hawai'i Island from other major land masses. He also chose Mauna Loa for its mountaintop landscape filled with volcanic rock but no vegetation, which prevents contamination from the photosynthetic activity of local plants.
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Lava flow cutting across the Mauna Loa Observatory Road in two places on Tuesday.
USGS image by L. Gallant |
High gas and ash in the area during this Mauna Loa eruption changes everything. It makes it difficult to carry out the Observatory's mission with its sensitive instruments that keep track of the atmosphere. The lava flow from Mauna Loa has also made access difficult as on Tuesday it crossed the Observatory Road that intersects Saddle Road, cutting off electricity to the equipment. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of San Diego, which operates equipment at the Observatory released a statement on Tuesday regarding its concern.
It said that Scripps Oceanography geoscientist Ralph Keeling, son of Keeling Curve creator Charles David Keeling, described the outlook for the future of CO2 readings from the station as “very troubling. It’s a big eruption and it’s in a bad place,” said Keeling.
That statement said, "The Keeling Curve is considered the icon of scientific evidence that human activities are altering the planet’s climate. It has provided incontrovertible evidence that the amount of the gas carbon dioxide has risen far above any levels experienced on Earth for at least three million years. Additional study has shown that the only plausible cause of the warming caused by the increase in concentrations of that gas is the use of fossil fuels by society.
"The authority of the program’s
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The front of the aʻa flow closest to Saddle Road, taken on Wednesday, looking
south to southeastward from the Hilo-Kona Road, approximately four miles
south of Saddle Road and one mile west of the Mauna Loa Observatory Road.
The white dome and other facilities of Mauna Loa Observatory are at left.
USGS photo |
measurement of carbon dioxide for more than 60 years has been bolstered by its virtually uninterrupted record."
According to a statement from the Keeling Curve group, "In the history of the Keeling Curve, there are occasional times in which readings are not available because of excessive variability in hourly readings. There were sustained periods without measurements in 1964 when budget cuts within the federal agencies supporting the record suspended operations for several months and in 1984 when another Mauna Loa eruption cut off power. There were no readings from March 26 to April 29 that year, after which a generator was brought to the observatory to resume operations. Since the 1970s, Scripps Oceanography and NOAA have made complementary CO2 measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory, which is operated by NOAA." For updates, follow @Keeling_Curve on Twitter.
A statement from the Observatory on the current eruption says, "These circumstances have resulted in a pause in data being collected at the observatory. All NOAA staff from the Mauna Loa Observatory are safe. At this point the facility is not accessible. NOAA will continue to provide updates as the situation develops."
IMPROVING CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE in all of Hawai'i is the aim of $14.4 million in federal funding through the newly developed Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program. Supported in part by the American Rescue Plan, it provides awards directly to state, local, and territorial health departments to support investments in public health workforce, infrastructure, and data modernization.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, who made the announcement on Wednesday, said, "lt the devastating consequences of a historically underfunded, understaffed, and under resourced public health system," said Senator Hirono. "Democrats in Congress passed the American Rescue Plan to not only help our communities respond to and recover from COVID-19, but to strengthen our nation's public health infrastructure and better protect the populations they serve. These critical investments will help keep our communities safer now and ensure Hawaii is better prepared for future health crises."
"The COVID-19 pandemic cast a spotlight on the importance of public health—a system that is chronically underfunded and resource constrained," said Cathy Ross, Deputy Director of state Department of Health. "This new federal funding will help the Department build stronger, more resilient public health infrastructure in Hawaii through investments in workforce, technology, core systems, and health equity. These investments will support healthier communities across the state."
Over the last decade, state and local public health programs have lost
20 percent of their workforce capacity. These programs are essential for preventing chronic diseases and protecting the nation from current and emerging public health threats.
The grant—administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention —is the first of its kind, and provides flexible investment so jurisdictions can address their most pressing needs to support their unique public health infrastructure. This funding will help address the historic underinvestment in communities that are economically or socially marginalized, rural communities, and communities comprised of high-risk and underserved populations. In total, the CDC will award $3.2 billion to 107 public health departments throughout the country, $3 billion of which came from the American Rescue Plan.
The grant program supports investments in: Workforce to recruit, retain, support, and train the public health workforce; foundational capabilities to strengthen systems, processes, and policies; and data modernization to deploy scalable, flexible, and sustainable technologies.
Hirono has long worked to ensure Hawaii's communities can access the health care they need. In 2020, she helped Community Health Centers across the state
secure federal funding during the pandemic, and also
helped secure CARES Act funding for the UH Systems to develop workforce training programs in the health care industry. Last month, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, Hirono
emphasized the need to address the strain caused by the shortage of health care workers in Hawai'i and across the country.
DR. EMMETT ALULI HAS PASSED AWAY. The famed Moloka'i physician, who visited Kaʻū in April, was an activist and board member of Trust for Public Land, which has brokered numerous land conservation success stories on the Kaʻū Coast. Kaʻū's Congressman Kai Kahele said on Wednesday, "It is with deep sadness that I grieve with the people of Hawaiʻi over the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli. Throughout his life, and especially as a leader of the people, Uncle Emmett, as many affectionately called him, generously gave of his time and resources with a strong commitment to the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians.
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| The late Dr. Emmett Aluli and Kaʻū's Congressman Kai Kahele. |
"Dr. Aluli's accomplishments are many. He graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine in 1975, as part of its first graduating class. Understanding the importance of investing in our communities, Dr. Aluli made the intentional decision to complete his residency on Molokaʻi. Later, he opened his own private medical practice, the Molokaʻi Family Health Center and Clinic to serve a large population of Native Hawaiians.
"He is a co-founder of Nā Puʻuwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System that serves the islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. He also helped draft the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act that was signed into law in 1988 to promote health and disease prevention services to improve the health status of Native Hawaiians.
"In addition to his commitment to Native Hawaiian Health, Dr. Aluli also served as a strong advocate for traditional Hawaiian practices and the return and protection of our precious ʻāina. He co-founded the Pele Defense Fund in 1985, a group dedicated to defending the rights and customs of Native Hawaiians. Dr. Aluli was also part of the Kahoʻolawe Nine, the first group of individuals who stood up against the Navy's bombing of Kahoʻolawe.
"Dr. Aluli served as a member of the 2nd Congressional District's Native Hawaiian Health Task Force and his significant contributions helped to set federal legislative priorities and policies to advance Native Hawaiian Healthcare.
Kahele and family extended "our deepest sympathies to Uncle Emmett's life-partner Dr. Davianna McGregor, their daughter Rosie Alegado, son-in-law Raymond Kong, grandchildren Justice and Cassius, and the Aluli and McGregor families.
"Uncle Emmett leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the people of Hawai'i, especially those lives he generously touched on Molokaʻi. His imprint and contributions will be felt for generations. He will be greatly missed."
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