UH Hilo geology major Kamalani Poepoe starts her second summer internship with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Staff

Undergraduate Kamalani Poepoe’s summer experience will include work in UH Hilo’s geochemistry lab, learning basic computer programming skills, and aiding in eruption response at Kīlauea’s summit.

Kamalani in the field with volcanic eruption in the background. — Kamalani Poepeo is pictured earlier this year on the rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during one of the fountaining phases of the summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu. (Photo: USGS)

Kamalani Poepoe, a geology major at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, is starting her second summer internship at the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

“Volcano Watch,” a weekly article written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, introduces Poepoe in last week’s column.

Kama is currently an undergraduate at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo with a major in geology and minor in astronomy. She is participating in geoscience research at HVO through the Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES). This is Kama’s second year as a PIPES intern at HVO and her knowledge in the world of geoscience continues to grow.

In her first summer with the observatory, Kama explored the field of petrology, analyzing lava samples erupted during the June 2023 eruption at Kīlauea volcano to gain a better understanding of how and why Kīlauea continues to erupt. This summer, Kama is using her petrology analysis techniques to study eruptions at Kīlauea’s summit between 2020 and 2023.

Kama continues to grow her geoscience toolbox, working with a seismologist at HVO to integrate earthquake data recorded during these eruptions to more uniquely constrain how and where magma was sourced during these events. Kama is being mentored by scientists Kendra Lynn (petrology) and Ninfa Bennington (seismology) at HVO, and Lis Gallant (physical volcanology) at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo Geology Department. Her summer experience will include work in the geochemistry lab, learning basic computer programming skills, and aiding in eruption response at Kīlauea’s summit.

Read full column.