Following Meeting with USGS Director, Hirono Announces that Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will Remain Anchored on Hawaii Island

HONOLULU – Following a meeting with Dr. Jim Reilly, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that USGS has committed to keeping the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) on Hawaii Island.

“The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is an integral part of the Hawaii Island community, as we saw when HVO scientists worked around the clock with first responders to provide critical information during last year’s volcanic activity,” Senator Hirono said. “It just makes sense that this critical agency remains anchored on Hawaii Island, and I want to thank Dr. Reilly for being receptive to community concerns on this matter.”

During his confirmation hearing in March, Senator Hirono urged then-Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to incorporate feedback from Hawaii Island residents and Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation before deciding whether to move the Observatory to Oahu.

Earlier this month, Senator Hirono joined Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation in writing to Director Reilly urging him to keep HVO on Hawaii Island.