To better understand how and where groundwater is recharged on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, a team of earth and atmospheric scientists from the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa looked to the source—rainfall. In a published study, the team reported a time-series of rainfall data which highlights that extreme events, such as volcanic eruptions and hurricanes, can affect the chemistry of precipitation.

The researchers measured hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and the chemical composition of rainfall from central to leeward Â鶹´«Ã½ Island at 20 stations. Rain water isotopes help scientists identify the origin of groundwater and understand the recharge processes in a region.

Preparing for future water security

The results from this study can be used to better quantify and characterize precipitation—the ultimate source of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s groundwater.

“In order to better serve communities in Â鶹´«Ã½, specifically in access to fresh water and ensuring better water management, we need to understand where the groundwater is recharging and how it flows in the different aquifer systems,” said Diamond Tachera, lead author of the study and graduate researcher at UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). “This is critical to future water security.”

Serendipitous timing

Â鶹´«Ã½ Island is characterized by the interactions of Pacific trade wind flow with two 13,000-feet high mountains, as well as one of the largest natural emitters of sulfur dioxide on the planet—Kīlauea Volcano.

The study period included an extreme weather event, Hurricane Lane, a major volcanic eruption at Kīlauea in 2018 and the nearly-complete cessation of long-term volcanic emissions after that historic event.

“These events allowed us the rare opportunity to investigate the impact of volcanic emissions such as sulfate (also known as vog) and a hurricane on precipitation chemistry,” said Tachera.

Consistent with previous research, the study revealed long-term variability in rainfall chemistry due to changes in atmospheric and climate processes in this region. Additionally, the team found significantly more sulfate in the rain samples collected during the Kīlauea eruption and substantially less after the volcanic activity ceased.

This research is an example of UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

.

Hurricane Lane was an impactful event for the Hawaiian Islands. In August 2018, over a four-day period, Â鶹´«Ã½ Island received an average of 17 inches of rainfall, with a four-day single-station maximum of 57 inches, making Hurricane Lane the wettest tropical cyclone ever recorded in Â鶹´«Ã½. , led by University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa researchers, details the compounding hazards—fire and rain—produced by the storm.

“In this study, we document what we believe to be the first instance of a hurricane causing both heavy rainfall and contributing to multiple instances of fire simultaneously,” said Alison Nugent, lead author of the study and assistant professor of in UH ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (SOEST).

A team of UH Mānoa and East-West Center scientists analyzed multiple aspects of the storm’s meteorology and climatology, the environmental conditions leading up to the storm, and documented the associated societal impacts.

They found that land-use characteristics and preceding moisture conditions exacerbated fire hazards, and both fire and rain severity were influenced by the hurricane environment and local topographic features. Conditions at the edge of the storm resulted in dry windy weather conducive to fire, while closer to the storm center, the incredibly moist atmosphere lifted by ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s mountains brought intense, long-lasting rainfall. The simultaneous occurrence of rain-driven flooding and landslides, strong winds and multiple fires complicated the emergency response.

±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s vulnerability

The vulnerability of a population in any given location to the impacts of tropical cyclone hazards is determined by a multitude of interacting factors. Biophysical aspects include distance inland from the coast, terrain slope, coastal ecosystem integrity and land surface cover. Socioeconomic factors include infrastructure quality, the availability of early warning systems, and capacity for evacuation and emergency response.

“The surprising thing about Hurricane Lane was that, despite never making landfall, the storm caused considerable damage and disruptions across the state from two rather contradictory things: fire and rain,” said Nugent. “Severe flooding on the windward side of Â鶹´«Ã½ Island built over several days, and multiple fires initiated on the leeward sides of Maui and Oʻahu within hours of each other. Hurricane Lane is one of only three documented cases of hurricanes influencing wildland fire risk in real-time.”

Ryan Longman with the East-West Center; Clay Trauernicht, Matthew Lucas, Henry Diaz and Thomas Giambelluca with UH Mānoa are also co-authors on the study. This work was partially supported through the National Science Foundation EPSCoR project, ʻIke Wai.

For more see .

—By Marcie Grabowski

Weather experts from the (SOEST) at the shared their knowledge with the public as communities across the state awaited Hurricane Lane’s arrival.

Several faculty in the SOEST have expertise in hurricanes, and tropical and island meteorology.

Assistant Professor was interviewed by the New York Times, and was on-air with KHON2‘s weather anchor for nearly six hours on Friday. She updated viewers on the approaching hurricane/storm, answered questions from the public and interpreted hurricane graphics in layman’s terms.

“The most exciting part was when the storm fell apart in front of our eyes on live TV,” said Nugent. “We could see the upper level clouds being sheared toward the northeast and the lower level clouds beginning to move westward as Hurricane Lane took a turn to the left.”

, professor and chair of the department, was also highly sought after as a media commentator. He discussed whether Maunakea and Mauna Loa on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island “protect” the islands from storms.

The discussion centered around the influence of environmental winds on the track and wind shear on the intensity of the storm. In particular, as the storm weakened through the action of wind shear as it neared Oʻahu, its depth became shallower, and the low level flow from the northeast took over in steering the storm to the west.

Assistant professor , professor , assistant professor , and Â鶹´«Ã½ Sea Grant faculty were also interviewed by several media outlets. They shared various tools and webpages for the general public to follow the storm; explanations of how Lane was progressing; and how to prepare homes based on the .

“Even though we dodged a bullet from Lane, the hurricane season is not over until the end of November,” said Chu. “We still have to be vigilant about future storms.”

Watch some of the UH experts

• , KHON
• , KHON

—By Marcie Grabowski

Due to Hurricane Lane, the last day to add or drop courses at the has been extended to Friday, August 31.

To add or drop classes go to STAR at

The UH Bookstores have extended the date for fall textbook refunds to Tuesday, August 28.

University of Â鶹´«Ã½ President David Lassner shared a message on August 27 to students, faculty and staff of the UH campuses.

Aloha to all our UH students, faculty and staff:

I want to welcome you all here for the beginning of another academic year. Hurricane Lane gave us a very different first week of school than any of us had expected or planned for. But I hope you agree that the way everyone showed fortitude and pulled together in the face of adversity demonstrates the true sense of ʻohana that is unique to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ and all our campuses.

Kudos to our facilities teams who went beyond the call of duty to safeguard our buildings and grounds and restore them to normal conditions as we resume classes and programming on Monday. And a special mahalo to our residence hall staff, who vigilantly watched over the safety of our residential students throughout the watches and warnings Hurricane Lane brought us.

Regardless of who we are, where we come from, or our personal beliefs, last week was a strong reminder of our shared commitments to care about and for one another.

Please remember that we remain in hurricane season through November. Whether you live on campus or off, please ensure you are personally prepared for the possibility of more storms to come.

And here’s looking forward to a rewarding, and hopefully less eventful, remainder of the fall semester for all of us!

Aloha,
David Lassner
UH President

The National Weather Service reports that Tropical Storm Lane has weakened to a tropical depression and has departed the islands.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this storm.

All University of Â鶹´«Ã½ campuses, facilities and offices will resume normal operations on Monday. All students and employees should report to campus as regularly scheduled.

UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Wahine volleyball team will host Kansas State at 2 p.m. today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Please remember that we are still in hurricane season that runs from June 1 through November. UH officials are currently monitoring all weather disturbances in the Pacific that could pose a threat to the islands.

All members of the UH community are urged to sign up for to receive emergency text alerts. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date:

Notifications affecting UH campuses will be posted on the Emergency Information webpage, as well as on social media:

• UH emergency information website

Please stay informed and updated:

The National Weather Service reports that Tropical Storm Lane has weakened significantly, however, it is important to remain prepared. Rain bands will likely bring more flooding and possibly damaging winds to the islands.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ will continue to monitor Lane. Currently, only the . The rest of the UH campuses and offices on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Maui, ³¢Äå²Ô²¹ʻ¾±, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are closed through Sunday.

The First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge at UH Hilo continues through Sunday.

• Wahine Volleyball 2 p.m. update: The UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Rainbow Wahine volleyball team will hold a closed match Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center against Kansas State. The team will then play another match that will be open to the public on Sunday at 2 p.m. .

All campuses are assessing conditions today, and students will be notified of any exceptions to regularly scheduled classes by noon tomorrow. UH employees should anticipate returning on Monday.

For those students in our residence halls, you will receive more specific communications and instructions from your respective student housing office. However, please do not hesitate to contact them with any questions or concerns at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹: vcs@hawaii.edu; UH Hilo (808) 932-7403. More emergency information regarding student housing at and is also available online.

Please follow the , other official agencies and local media for the latest weather news.

• More on Hurricane Lane on UH News

All members of the UH community are urged to sign up for to receive emergency text alerts. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date:

Notifications affecting UH campuses will be posted on the Emergency Information webpage, as well as on social media:

• UH emergency information website

Please stay informed and updated:

The National Weather Service has downgraded Hurricane Lane to a tropical storm. While the storm has weakened significantly, it is important to remain prepared and not be lulled into a false sense of safety. Rain bands will likely bring more flooding and damaging winds to the islands.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ will continue to monitor Hurricane Lane. Currently, all UH campuses and offices on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Maui, ³¢Äå²Ô²¹ʻ¾±, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are closed through Sunday. The First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge at UH Hilo resumed action today (Friday) after being postponed on Thursday. Play will continue through Sunday. A decision on UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ athletic events scheduled for Sunday will be made later depending upon weather conditions and facility availability.

For those students in our residence halls, you will receive more specific communications and instructions from your respective student housing office. However, please do not hesitate to contact them with any questions or concerns at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹: vcs@hawaii.edu; UH Hilo (808) 932-7403. More emergency information regarding student housing at and is also available online.

Please follow the , other official agencies and local media for the latest weather news.

As Tropical Storm Lane progresses, each campus will make decisions on whether to reopen classes and activities depending on local conditions.

• More on Hurricane Lane on UH News

All members of the UH community are urged to sign up for to receive emergency text alerts. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date:

Notifications affecting UH campuses will be posted on the Emergency Information webpage, as well as on social media:

• UH emergency information website

Please stay informed and updated:

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is closely monitoring Hurricane Lane. Currently, all UH campuses and offices on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Maui, ³¢Äå²Ô²¹ʻ¾±, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are closed through Sunday. The First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge at UH Hilo resumes action today (Friday) after being postponed on Thursday. Play will continue through Sunday. A decision on UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ athletic events scheduled for Sunday will be made later depending upon weather conditions and facility availability.

Hurricane Lane is a category 2 storm and its current track has it moving dangerously close to the islands. Lane could make landfall on multiple islands. The storm can bring strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, high surf and storm surge. A hurricane warning remains in effect for Oʻahu and Maui County as of this update. Parts of Â鶹´«Ã½ Island have already seen flooding.

It is of vital importance that all students, faculty and staff keep informed of the latest developments and prepare for the possibility of the need to shelter in place or move to a public shelter. Prepare yourself and your families for the potential effects of the storm. Officials recommend a 14-day emergency supply.

For those students in our residence halls, you will receive more specific communications and instructions from your respective student housing office. However, please do not hesitate to contact them with any questions or concerns at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹: vcs@hawaii.edu; UH Hilo (808) 932-7403. More emergency information regarding student housing at and is also available online.

• More on Hurricane Lane on UH News

Please follow the , other official agencies and local media for the latest weather news.

All members of the UH community are urged to sign up for UH Alert to receive emergency text alerts. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date: www.hawaii.edu/alert/

Notifications affecting UH campuses will be posted on the Emergency Information webpage, as well as on social media:

• UH emergency information website

Please stay informed and updated:

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is closely monitoring Hurricane Lane. Currently, all UH campuses and offices on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Maui, ³¢Äå²Ô²¹ʻ¾±, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are closed through Sunday. A decision on UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and UH Hilo athletic events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will be made later depending upon weather conditions and facility availability.

Hurricane Lane is a category 4 storm and its current track has it moving dangerously close to the islands. Lane could make landfall on any or multiple islands, and could bring strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, high surf and storm surge.

It is of vital importance that all students, faculty and staff keep informed of the latest developments and prepare for the possibility of the need to shelter in place or move to a public shelter. Prepare yourself and your families for the potential effects of the storm. Officials recommend a 14-day emergency supply.

For those students in our residence halls, you will receive more specific communications and instructions from your respective student housing office. However, please do not hesitate to contact them with any questions or concerns at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹: vcs@hawaii.edu; UH Hilo (808) 932-7403. More emergency information regarding student housing at and is also available online.

• More on Hurricane Lane on UH News

Please follow the , other official agencies and local media for the latest weather news.

All members of the UH community are urged to sign up for to receive emergency text alerts. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date:

Notifications affecting UH campuses will be posted on the Emergency Information webpage, as well as on social media:

• UH emergency information website

Please stay informed and updated: