Dr. Jim Kauahikaua, a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, recently received a Citation for Meritorious Service, the second-highest U.S. Department of the Interior honor award that can be granted to a career employee. The award is in honor of his outstanding scientific contributions in the field of volcano hazards for the USGS and his leadership of HVO.
Dr. Jim Kauahikaua, a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, recently received a Citation for Meritorious Service, the second-highest U.S. Department of the Interior honor award that can be granted to a career employee. The award is in honor of his outstanding scientific contributions in the field of volcano hazards for the USGS and his leadership of HVO.
Known to many on the Big Island as “Dr. Jim,” Kauahikaua was, for many residents, the patient, calm and steady face of HVO during last fall’s threatening lava flow in lower Puna. This was acknowledged in the citation that states “his expertise is potentially lifesaving for residents on Hawaii Island” and his leadership has proven invaluable during responses to natural hazards.
The citation further commends Kauahikaua for his work strengthening relations between HVO and other federal, state and county agencies, which has improved interagency coordination during periods of elevated volcano and earthquake activity. The success of his efforts especially was evident during the Big Island’s recent lava flow crisis, when HVO and Hawaii County Civil Defense worked closely and diligently to keep Puna residents informed and safe.
Kauahikaua, who grew up on Oahu and graduated from Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, began his USGS career in 1976 as an intern with the Branch of Electromagnetism and Geomagnetism in Denver. While still working for the USGS electromagnetism group, he returned to Oahu, where he completed a PhD in geophysics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1983.
In 1988, Kauahikaua accepted a transfer to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, where he focused on applying geophysical methods to volcanological problems. When lava flows inundated the Kalapana community in 1990, he became interested in lava flow dynamics and mitigating volcanic hazards in Hawaii. He since has developed tools for lava flow hazards assessment and methods for quantifying lava flow emplacement that have been used during Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, including the recent advance of lava toward Pahoa.
In October 2004, Kauahikaua was named HVO’s 19th scientist-in-charge — the first of Hawaiian ancestry. The Meritorious Service award citation notes, as scientist-in-charge, Kauahikaua “guided HVO through significant changes in monitoring and communication technologies, volcanic and earthquake activity, staff reorganization and makeup, and scientific and public outreach activities, leaving HVO well-prepared to tackle 21st century challenges.”
After serving as HVO’s scientist-in-charge for more than 10 years — one of the longest terms in the observatory’s history — Kauahikaua rotated back to his former position as an HVO research geophysicist in March. He now is happily focused on scientific investigations that had to be postponed during the past decade, when his time and attention were effectively consumed by administrative and managerial responsibilities.
Tina Neal, who succeeds Kauahikaua as scientist-in-charge, notes the extremely high regard HVO has in the global science community, in terms of scientific accomplishment and public service.
“It is an honor to inherit leadership of such a beloved and talented organization within the Hawaii Island community, and I give Jim much credit for that,” she said.
In response to the award bestowed upon him, Kauahikaua said, “HVO couldn’t have accomplished so much these past 10 years without the support of the entire HVO staff, a team of highly dedicated individuals. Together, we have accomplished some amazing things, and now, with Tina’s leadership, we will do even more.”
Congratulations, Dr. Jim! The award is a well-deserved honor for your years of service to the USGS and HVO.
Kilauea activity update
Kilauea’s summit lava lake level remained fairly steady at 45-50 m (150-165 ft) below the vent rim for much of the past week, but dropped to about 39 m (128 ft) July 7-8.
Kilauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow continues to feed widespread breakouts northeast of Pu‘u ‘O‘o. Active flows slowly are covering and widening the flow field, but remain within about 8 km (5 mi) of Pu‘u ‘O‘o.
There were no earthquakes reported felt on the Big Island during the past week.
Visit the HVO website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kilauea daily eruption updates and other volcano status reports, current volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kilauea summary update; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
Volcano Watch (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/) is a weekly article and activity update written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey`s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.