Day Two

March 6, 2007, Tuesday

We are so glad we finally got some rest last night at the Kamuela Inn. Being in Hawaii is a little bit stressful, but we always try to find some fun time. Before the whole group left for the beach, we made a stop at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). At NELHA, we toured around the facility and received a brief history of their technology. The technology was so innovative and eco-friendly.

The facility is experimenting with a newly discovered energy. NELHA pumps surface water into their facility and the ammonia is vaporized. The expanding vapor turns the turbine that drives an electrical generator. Then water, which is at a depth of 3,000 feet, is pumped up. Except, the water has been traveling for 3,000 years from Greenland. This cold deep water condenses the vapor back to a fluid and the whole process starts all over again.

Afterwards, we finally arrived at a beach in Hawaii that we could actually swim in! Everyone was so excited that they immediately just jumped into the water. With all that patience, we were able to release our excitement at the beach. Then a couple humpback whales entertained us about a mile away from shore. They hopped out of the water and twirled in the bare air. The show was wonderful! We Alaskans barely see such exquisite moves by the humpbacks in our home state. Sadly, the sun was slowly making its way down the horizon.

Tonight, we ate dinner at Bill’s, one of the scientists, house. The food was great and the Alaskan students were able to chat with the people who gave us the grant for ASOF. We also got the chance to socialize with some of Hawaiian students. It was nice to talk to some people who were around the same age as us ASOF students.

Overall, the day went well and we finally got to drench our feet in the sand and water.