Press club honors USGS scientists

At its recent luncheon, Big Island Press Club recognized the Torch of Light Award winners and thanked the scientists at U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for their outstanding work during the 2014 Pahoa lava flow.

The Torch of Light award is given to an individual or organization that brightens the public’s right to know.

As Kilauea’s 2014 lava flow took aim at Pahoa Village, the team at HVO worked tirelessly to keep updated and accurate information available to the media and to residents.

“While they are skilled and dedicated scientists, they are not typically tasked with working so closely with the public. Working alongside county, state and federal agencies — including the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency — team members managed to take a complicated, unpredictable situation and provide easy-to-understand information that helped relieve residents’ stress,” BIPC president and West Hawaii Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer said.

Members of the press club appreciated the close working relationship with the team of scientists, which includes geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, seismologists and the technical and administrative support crew.

“While the lava flow created much stress, knowing we could rely on the scientists was a great comfort. They were so available and repeatedly went above and beyond their job description, sharing their knowledge directly, plainly and with candor,” she said.

Founded by Thomas Jaggar in 1912, HVO conducts research on the volcanoes of Hawaii and works with emergency-response officials to protect people and property from earthquakes and volcano-related hazards.

The Big Island Press Club gives the Lava Tube and the Torch of Light awards annually on Freedom of Information Day, March 16, the birthday of James Madison.

Info: BigIslandPressClub.org