Ground blessing held for new USGS research facility on UH Hilo campus

Posted on June 28, 2023June 1, 2026 by Staff

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Haaland, U.S. Senator Schatz, U.S. Geological Survey Director Applegate, UH Hilo Chancellor Irwin, UH President David Lassner, and student interns, celebrated at a ground blessing for a new USGS research facility on campus that will monitor volcanoes and support conservation science.

Group of student interns, Chancellor, and government officials pose in outdoor setting. — Above, UH Hilo students and university and government officials stand for photo after ground blessing ceremonies for a new U.S. Geological Survey research facility on the campus of UH Hilo, June 28, 2023. From left, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC) student intern Makoa de Almeida, UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, PIERC volunteer and incoming UH Hilo graduate student Mishell Vasquez Morales, UH Hilo recent graduate now at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Baylee McDade, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, UH Hilo recent graduate and former HVO intern Teagen Maher, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, USGS Director Dave Applegate, HVO student intern Christine Tominiko, USGS PIERC student intern Peni Snow (in back), and two officials from the Secretary of the Interior’s office—Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz and at the far right is Senior Advisor for Native Hawaiian Affairs Summer Sylva. (Photo: UH System News)

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, and U.S. Geological Survey Director David Applegate joined government officials and University of Hawaiʻi leaders and students today for the ground blessing of a new facility that will monitor volcanoes and support conservation science. The facility, which will be located on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, will house the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) and the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC).

Rendering of two story building with large open lanai on top story. Signage out front: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and Pacific Ecosystems Research Center. — Artist’s rendering of the upcoming USGS research building to be built on the UH Hilo campus. The 60,000-square-foot facility will include two main structures and parking within a campus-like setting, and support for about 50 staff and volunteers at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and 53 staff and volunteers at the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center. A ground blessing was held on June 28, 2023, with UH and government officials attending. (Courtesy rendering/USGS)

“UH Hilo has a long and rewarding relationship with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, and I am excited for the additional opportunities their presence on campus will have for research partnerships and student internships,” says UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “Working side-by-side with professionals in the field is an invaluable complement to the education students receive at our university.” (Read Chancellor Irwin’s full remarks.)

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors and assesses hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, providing important science for emergency managers, scientists, and local communities. The observatory was previously located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, near the active volcanoes of Kīlauea, Maunaloa, Lōʻihi, and Hualālai. The observatory’s previous facility was irreparably damaged during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

The USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center conducts research to support management and conservation of biological resources in Hawaiʻi and other Pacific locations. This includes scientific studies of imperiled species, invasive species, and plant diseases such as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.

People sit around large conference table. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (back right), Senator Brian Schatz (back left), and U.S. Geological Survey Director Dave Applegate (far right), meet with UH Hilo students, June 28, 2023 (Photo: UH System News)

“Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. I’m so excited about the collaborations that will be formed in this facility between USGS scientists and personnel, the brilliant faculty and the students who have already accomplished so much,” says Secretary Haaland. “As we celebrate this facility today, we celebrate the enduring relationship it represents for the Department of the Interior and the community at large, as well as and the benefits this partnership will bring long after our time doing this important work is done.”

I was profoundly honored to see the ground blessing ceremony led by members of the Native Hawaiian Community, whose partnership has been critical to this effort. pic.twitter.com/4tIoqeEvr5

— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) June 28, 2023

USGS Director Applegate says the location was selected because of its unique qualities and partnership opportunities.

“One quality in particular that is critical to our future success is access to a very precious resource: students who can become our next-generation workforce, helping bring science to bear on some of the most challenging issues facing our nation and the planet,” says Applegate.

Read full Department of Interior release.