MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) hosts its Annual Meeting at the Volcano House, which is currently closed to the general public. The members-only meeting is 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

“At the Friends meeting, our members get a rare behind-the-scenes experience in the Volcano House, which has been closed for renovations since 2009,” said FHVNP General Manager Julie Mitchell.

The meeting takes place in the koa bar, with a panoramic view of Kilauea Caldera and the vent at Halemaumau Crater.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Don Swanson, a senior geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. He will summarize the current state of activity at the summit and along the east rift zone.

“Join us for an exciting day of meet and greet, the board of directors election, and your choice of three special guided tours,” Mitchell said. “Plus, enjoy a light luncheon by Conard Eyre, the Green Goose Gourmet, featuring salmon caesar salad, curried rice pilaf, frittata squares, nicoise salad, spiced hummus with bread, fruit medley, desserts, and iced tea.”

Following lunch, three tours are on offer: “Explore the Volcano House” with Walt Poole, “’Iliahi (Sandalwood) Trail” with John Stallman, and “Successes on the Summit” with Rhonda Loh. The latter includes a walk down to the park’s native plant nursery.

Up for election on FHVNP’s board for the first time are new candidates Kristen Clyne-Hamitouche, Cheryl Gansecki, Pohai Montague-Mullins, and Thane K. Pratt. Up for reelection are incumbent candidates Natalie Pfeifer and Ab Valencia.

“Although this is a members-only event, we invite non-members to join the Friends in order to attend. Anyone who would like to become a Friends member is welcome,” Mitchell said.

To RSVP or to become a member, call the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at 985-7373 or visit: www.fhvnp.org