Trip Leader
Ms. Beth Rinard, from the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences at Tarleton State University will be the leader of this two-week trip to the island of Hawaii.  Ms. Rinard is a geologist whose interests center on the study of active volcanoes.  She was an intern at the United States Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory during the summer of 1993, and a great deal of her time at the observatory was spent observing and studying the current eruption of Kilauea.  She currently teaches geology and earth science at Tarleton, and is also pursuing a PhD in geophysics from Southern Methodist University.  She is studying volcanic earthquakes in Hawaii for her dissertation project.

Location and Purpose
The group will leave from DFW airport and travel to Hilo on the “Big Island” of Hawaii.  The island will be the site of the 11-day field trip to study active volcanism and related phenomena on the island.  The purpose of this trip is to provide you an opportunity to observe a wide variety of geologic processes in action.  The island of Hawaii is one of the most geologically active areas on the earth, and as a result, a great deal of geologic research is conducted on the island.  The primary focus of the trip will be the study of the active volcano Kilauea.  An active volcano provides an unparalleled laboratory for you to observe the creation of new land and the physical processes that shape the earth’s surface.

The Hawaiian volcanoes are studied intensively by a staff of full-time scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, as well as by a number of geologists, chemists, and physicists from universities around the world (now including Tarleton and SMU!).  Because of their efforts, more is known about the behavior of these volcanoes than any other group of volcanoes on earth.  Scientists constantly monitor the active volcano Kilauea and are able to predict its behavior with an amazing degree of accuracy.  Due to this intensive monitoring, scientists have at least some advance warning of most unusual activity.  This makes Kilauea one of the safest volcanoes in the world for geologic study.

The island of Hawaii is comprised of five volcanoes, of which three are considered to be active.  Only Kilauea is in eruption at this time, but Mauna Loa and Hualalai are expected to erupt at some point in the future.  Mauna Kea’s last eruption was about 4,000 years ago and it is not known whether or not the mountain will ever erupt again.  Kohala is a much older volcano which has been severely eroded and is considered to be extinct.  The variation in age of these volcanoes will allow us to compare old and new volcanic landscapes.  A survey of land uses on the island will illustrate the benefits and hazards of living and working in a volcanic region.  You will also have a chance to consider the influence the ocean has on an island and its inhabitants.  Trips to the ocean will be used to demonstrate the importance of ocean resources to the people of the islands.  Snorkeling and/or scuba diving will be encouraged so that the instructors may point out the vast abundance of life in the ocean surrounding the island. The delicate balance of the shoreline and coral reef ecosystems, as well as the impact humans have on them, will be examined.

Ms. Rinard is a scuba diver, and if this is an interest of yours, you are encouraged to become a certified diver before the trip so you may dive as well.  ONLY those who are certified to do so will be allowed to dive on this trip, so see your local YMCA or dive shop to inquire about lessons if you’d like to dive!
 

Itinerary
A brief, tentative itinerary is outlined below.  (Subject to changes due to volcanic activity and weather.)

May 13:   Depart DFW for Hilo, Hawaii.  Arrive in Hilo, pick up rental vans, and check in at military camp.

May 14:  Instructor checks in with the volcano observatory to receive a briefing and any special instructions for the visit.  Become acquainted with the island’s geography.  Tour the summit area of Kilauea and hike into Kilauea Iki.

May 15: Trip to the coastal flow field and other sites of interest in the park.  Visit Jaggar Museum.

May 16:  Visit ancient temple built by Kamehameha I.  Snorkeling/other water activity in Kona.

May 17:  Hike on Mauna Ulu, site of 1960s-70s eruption.  Evening hula show at military camp.

May 18:  Hilo Farmer’s Market in downtown Hilo.  Saddle Road and Onizuka Visitor Center (for telescopes on Mauna Kea).

May 19:  Hike part of Ka’u Desert Trail to view footprints form Hawaiian soldiers left in 1790, and sites of eruptions in 1971 and 1974.

May 20:   Visit Rainbow Falls, botanical garden, Tidal Wave Memorial, Waipio Valley, and Akaka Falls State Park.

May 21:  Visit the City of Refuge National Historical Park.  Visit Captain Cook Monument at Kealekekua Bay. Snorkeling at Kealekekua Bay or other location in Kona.  Possible evening luau.

May 22:  Visit coastal area near towns of Kalapana and Kapoho, both destroyed by lava flows in the last 40 years.  Visit geothermal spring.

May 23: Coastal area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including petroglyphs.  Pack to go home.

May 24: Leave Big Island in early morning for Honolulu.  Spend day in Honolulu.  Tour Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.  Board plane for overnight flight home.  Personal account from a memorial visitor.

May 25:  Home, early morning.
 

Cost
The cost for this two-week trip is approximately $1750/person, depending on the final cost of airline tickets.  Included in your trip cost will be:  round-trip airfare from DFW to Hilo, Hawaii; accommodations for ten nights at Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; rental vans for two weeks; all taxes on transportation and accommodations; and entrance fees to parks and other sites we visit.  Items not included are: food, tuition and fees (for those taking the trip for class credit), books and maps, souvenirs, any optional activities.  You do not need to be a student (at Tarleton State University, SMU, or elsewhere) to go on the trip, though priority will be given to students.  A deposit of $950 will be due on February 28, with the remainder due on April 1.  The trip is limited to 10 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot on the trip with your deposit as soon as possible.  Checks may be made out to “Tarleton State University Geosciences.”  Tarleton also takes Mastercard and Visa.  Call (254)968-9894 to charge your trip.
 

Students will need to bring the following, preferably in ONE large bag and ONE carry-on:

_____  All-cotton blue jeans, no holes (2 pairs)
_____  At least one all-cotton long-sleeved shirt
_____  Leather boots with good “gripping” soles  (BROKEN IN, PLEASE)
_____  Leather gloves
_____  Water bottles (unless you buy bottled water on the island)
_____  Hat
_____  Sunglasses
_____  Sunscreen
_____  Light-weight rain gear
_____  Cotton socks (good with hiking boots)
_____  Field book, writing utensils, and instructor-required books and maps (list provided later)
_____  Shorts and t-shirts
_____  Walking shoes
_____  Sweatshirt(s) and/or light coat
_____  Personal items
_____  Swimsuit(s) and beach towel
_____  Mask/snorkel/fins (optional)
_____  One decent outfit (jeans and a nice t-shirt will be fine)
_____  Teva-style sandals or “flip-flops”
_____  Camera and LOTS of film (film is readily available, but is more expensive there)
_____  Money for food (~$200-$250?), optional activities(?), and souvenirs (your discretion)
_____  Small backpack to use during hikes and on road trips
_____  Aqua socks or other foot protection for sharp rocks while swimming— beaches are very rocky
_____  Good flashlight or two for hiking at night on black rock

Other items that may be useful on the trip
_____  binoculars
_____ magnifying glass
_____  alarm clock
_____  recipes for your favorite foods to cook for the group
 

A message from the instructor
On a serious note,  safety will be a major concern addressed on this trip.  We will be working around an active volcano.  For your safety and the safety of those around you, when we are briefing you before an outing to an active area of Kilauea, we will require undivided attention while we are giving our instructions and complete adherence to our rules once we have dictated them to you.  An active volcano is no setting for machismo or carelessness.  If you will feel uncomfortable having a young female trip leader tell you what you can and cannot do in the field, you might reconsider whether or not this trip is for you.

We also want to make sure you understand that occasionally we will be working in semi-hazardous conditions.  We will make every effort to gather the most up-to-date information about the volcano’s behavior from the volcano observatory before we embark on the day’s field activities.  We will always advise you of all risks, large or small, that we foresee encountering at a specific locality.  We will not take you anywhere we do not feel comfortable being, but if you are not comfortable, let us know and we will explain to you why we feel we are safe.

You should be advised that some areas we will be working around will expose you to small amounts of sulfur-bearing gases (H2S and SO2).  These are not overly harmful in small doses unless you have existing respiratory problems.  Be sure to advise us of any problems along these lines that you have ahead of time, and we will make arrangements for respiratory protection.  If you are asthmatic, bring your asthma medication.  We will also be doing a fair amount of hiking at altitude, possibly in the rain, and in high temperatures.  Although this will not be anything too strenuous (no rappelling, etc), make sure you are up to this type of physical activity.  You might want to start walking and/or exercising a few months ahead of time.

The last point I feel is important to make is that this is not a vacation trip, it is an educational trip.  That means that I have an agenda I will be sticking to.  We believe that it will not only be an educational opportunity of a lifetime, but it will also be something you can honestly say was fun.  I will not monopolize every minute of your day, but I do have an itinerary I feel is both important and well-balanced.  This will include not only outings on the active volcano but also trips to beaches for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, and trips to cultural and historical points of interest.  I have even included a spot or two that very few tourists know about, so that should be an extra added bonus for the adventurous.

If you have any questions:  Please contact Beth Rinard at (254) 968-9894 or rinard@tarleton.edu.