Events By Topic
Feb 8, 2024, 5:00 PM
Students from Kealakehe High School and West Hawaii Explorations Academy present their designs for the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Jan 25, 2024, 5:00 PM
Students from MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering present research on the forests of Hawaii Island.
Dec 28, 2023, 5:00 PM
Mike Kaleikini of Puna Geothermal Venture discusses geothermal energy.
Nov 30, 2023, 5:00 PM
Ken Hon, Scientist in Charge of the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Oct 26, 2023, 5:00 PM
Ihilani Phillips discusses her work in 3D printed building construction.
Sep 28, 2023, 5:00 PM
Join us for a social and presentation to learn from Mary Beth Laychak about the work of Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, how data is gathered, and a day in the life of an astronomer.
Aug 24, 2023, 5:00 PM
Mathematical modeling played a large role in public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anna Bershteyn, PhD, advised the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene since the start of the pandemic, when New York City was a global epicenter of COVID-19.
Jul 27, 2023, 5:00 PM
Join us for a social and presentation by Manta Pacific, where we'll dive into the captivating world of the beautiful and graceful Manta Rays
Feb 9, 2023, 5:00 PM
WHEA and Kealakehe HS robotics teams present their designs in process for the 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition
Jan 26, 2023, 5:00 PM
MIT TREX Environmental Engineering students present their research about Hawaii Island's environment.
Feb 25, 2021, 5:00 PM
Processing one's own coffee can be satisfying, but what to do with all the waste? In this presentation, William Chardon will discuss a co-composting system being developed on a local farm.
Jan 21, 2021, 5:00 PM
Keeping vaccines at the proper temperature can be a challenge, especially when the power goes out or voltages surge to damaging levels. We will discuss the design of a vaccine refrigerator for difficult environments.
Dec 9, 2020, 5:00 PM
Starting a new business is not for the faint of heart, and healthcare technology adds additional layers of complexity. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning hold great promise to reduce workloads, but in many cases they do not live up to expectations or are too expensive and constrained to build.
Nov 19, 2020, 5:00 PM
The ‘Ike Wai project is a multi-disciplinary research project within the University of Hawai`i system to study fresh-water flows in the Hawaiian Islands. By studying chemical fingerprints in the water and using survey techniques typically used for oil exploration, this part of the project has found that the amount of groundwater discharge near the shoreline is greater than the estimate of aquifer recharge, and where that extra water comes from.
Sep 10, 2020, 5:00 PM
Dr. Bennett will give a graphical presentation on the difficulties of measuring the microbial impacts of sewage and septage on the microbial safety of the Kona Coast recreation waters.
Feb 3, 2020, 5:00 PM
WHEA and Kealakehe Robotics teams will show off their designs in process for this year's competition.
Jan 23, 2020, 5:00 PM
Undergraduate students from MIT’s Traveling Research Environmental eXperience (TREX) will present the results of two research projects from their time on Hawaii.
Jan 10, 2020, 5:00 PM
Using ultrasound to learn about pregnancy and heart rate in tiger sharks.
Dec 28, 2019, 5:00 PM
Prof. Bershteyn will discuss models of disease spread and how they can be used to inform policy.
Dec 18, 2019, 5:00 PM
Prof. David Moss will examine what we can learn about the environment from the growth characteristics of this class of molluscs.
Apr 22, 2019, 5:00 PM
The 2018 Kilauea Eruption produced a plume of hydrothermal water as lava poured into the ocean. Liquid Robotics Wave Gliders were deployed for three weeks to study the dynamics of this plume of hot water.
Mar 4, 2019, 5:00 PM
Adam Frankel of the Hawaii Marine Mammal Consortium will review the effects of noise on marine mammals.
Feb 11, 2019, 5:00 PM
County Councilman and veterinarian Dr. Tim Richards will discuss a vision for a water and energy system that can serve the needs of North Kohala's residents and agriculture.
Jan 28, 2019, 5:00 PM
Join us for the 8th annual Robotics Design Review. Midway into the FIRST Robotics Competition's build period, our high school robotics teams will show their plans for winning robots.
Dec 3, 2018, 5:00 PM
Lisa Vollbrecht, Research Manager at Kampachi Farms, will present on a project to demonstrate the offshore culture of native Hawaiian limu.
Oct 1, 2018, 5:00 PM
Derek Hall of Honua Studios returns to the Kona Science Cafe to describe their work and the progress of film projects mentored as part of the Global Virtual Studios Transmedia Accelerator.
Aug 27, 2018, 5:00 PM
Nanomedicine is a branch of medicine that applies the knowledge and tools of nanotechnology to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. Prof. Date will discuss the development of a variety of nanomedicines for the improved prevention and/or treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
Jun 29, 2018, 5:00 PM
Recent progress in culture of reef species gives us hope for helping Hawaii's coral reefs. Syd Kraul of Pacific Planktonics and Lindsey Kramer of Eyes of the Reef Network will share their recent results.
Apr 23, 2018, 5:00 PM
Anchialine pools are ecosystems that are unique to Hawaii within the United States. Dena Sedar will describe anchialine pool restoration work at Kehaha Kai State Park.
Mar 19, 2018, 5:01 PM
The Nature Prints Exhibition by William Twibell begins concurrently with the Kona Science Cafe March event. The prints are made directly from plant and animal products found on the NELHA property and from local fish. The exhibit will be ongoing and is open to the public during Friends of NELHA's normal business hours; 9:30 a.m. is best.
Mar 19, 2018, 5:00 PM
Hawai’i Uncharted Research Collective (HURC), has launched a citizen science effort to learn more about Whale Sharks in Hawai’i and how the individuals sighted here fit into the worldwide population.
Feb 5, 2018, 5:00 PM
WHEA and Kealakehe robotics teams will show off their plans and partially-built robots for this year's FIRST Robotics Competition.
Jan 29, 2018, 5:00 PM
A team of students and faculty from MIT is on Hawaii Island this January, studying crop growth and measuring airborne sulfur dioxide. They will present their work.
Nov 20, 2017, 5:00 PM
Dr. Linda Connelly will give an overview of Pharmaceutical Sciences research at UH Hilo where their major areas of focus are cancer biology and natural products drug discovery.
Oct 30, 2017, 5:00 PM
Kona resident Werner Thie is instrumenting his coffee farm with a number of different types of sensors. Come hear about the solar-powered wireless sensor nodes he is designing for it.
Sep 18, 2017, 5:00 PM
Carolyn Ma, Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at UH Hilo, will talk about the College's programs, especially its clinical pharmacy practice projects.
Aug 21, 2017, 5:00 PM
This talk takes place miles away from the near shore comfort zone and into open-ocean pelagic waters at night. Here, Jeff presents data-driven observations and a selection from his unique photo catalog to expose you to this strange world.
Aug 21, 2017, 6:00 AM
This isn't an organized event, just get up early to see the moon block part of the sun.
Jul 24, 2017, 5:00 PM
Some small landowners are planting high-value hardwoods like mahogany and koa for eventual use as cabinet or furniture woods. Others are managing native forests purely for conservation. Dr. Friday will describe some of these projects and provide an update on Rapid `Ohia Death, a fungal disease that is killing `ohia trees around Hawaii island.
Jun 27, 2017, 5:00 PM
Smart Yields is a start-up with a mobile and desktop app that aims to analyze, predict, and alert farmers of environmental conditions for control over farm health from a variety of sensors.
Jun 19, 2017, 6:00 PM
The Hawaiian Islands have created an oasis in the central Pacific, and are home to 11 different species of whales and dolphins. Robin Baird, research biologist with Cascadia Research Collective will talk about how we have learned about these species, including acoustics, photo-identification, genetics, and satellite tagging.
May 22, 2017, 5:00 PM
Ke Kai Ola is a satellite facility of The Marine Mammal Center, and the only Hawaiian Monk Seal hospital in the State of Hawai'i. Come learn about their rehabilitation and research work, and why only 2 seals remain resident on Hawaii Island, and the rest are transient.
Apr 24, 2017, 5:00 PM
Digital Life is a non-profit initiative to produce accurate, high-quality three-dimensional (3D) models of live animals to benefit science, conservation and education. Come listen to Christine Shepard, photographer and one of the co-founders of Digital Life, describe the process and show results to date. An upcoming project will scan all 7 species of sea turtles.
Feb 28, 2017, 5:00 PM
What should the future of education look like in West Hawaii and how does it support the science, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs in our community? Join Ted Dintersmith and a panel of local education and technology leaders to consider these important issues.
Jan 25, 2017, 5:00 PM
A team of students from MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering presents research from two studies on Hawaii Island during a winter-term field class. They linked soil nutrients with plant health, aided by data gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle. A second project measured sulfur dioxide levels using home-build low-cost sensors.
Jan 23, 2017, 5:00 PM
Join us for the 6th annual Robotics Design Review. Midway into the FIRST Robotics Competition's build period, our high school robotics teams will show their plans for winning robots.
Dec 19, 2016, 5:00 PM
This month's Kona Science Cafe is a Geography double-header featuring a faculty member and undergraduate student from Sam Houston State University. They will share their perspective on Hawaii Island aquarium fisheries management and the Hawaiian influence on mainland blues culture.
Nov 14, 2016, 5:00 PM
Jan War, Operations Manager at NELHA, recently made three inspection dives on NELHA's deep seawater pipelines in the PICES V submersible. He will present results of the inspection dives, show high definition video segments of each dive and the fascinating deep sea critters that grow on or nearby the pipelines. Come share the experience that he considers one of the highlights of his career.
Oct 17, 2016, 5:00 PM
`Ike Wai (literally, knowledge of water) is a collaborative project between the University of Hawai‘i, Hawaii State Departments of Health and Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply, U.S. Geological Survey and community partners to create a data driven, sustainable water future for the state of Hawai‘i and its Pacific neighbors.
Sep 26, 2016, 5:00 PM
NELHA has extensively renovated their office building as a business incubator, including resources from HTDC and SBDC. Come see the new space and hear about services available to entrepreneurs.
Aug 29, 2016, 6:00 PM
The HI-SEAS IV team exits their simulated Mars habitat in late August after a year of isolation. Join us the next day to hear about their mission, their individual research, and insights they gained from the experience. Now that they have been on "Mars" for a year, what message do they have for the people of Earth?
Jun 27, 2016, 5:00 PM
Organic waste such as kitchen waste, grass clipping, fruit waste and weeds contains large amounts of nutrients and energy. This energy can be harvested using anaerobic digestion process, and is applicable to small coffee and fruit plantations on Hawaii Island.
May 23, 2016, 5:00 PM
In 1978, Congress established Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park to preserve, interpret, and perpetuate traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture by protecting the cultural and natural resources within the Park. Jeff Zimpfer will speak about the establishment of the Park, the Park’s natural and cultural resources, stewardship opportunities and long-term plans, and the efforts the NPS is taking to preserve Park resources for future generations.
Apr 25, 2016, 5:00 PM
Kampachi Farms’ has pioneered the Velella project, demonstrating two new concepts: untethered, open ocean "drifter pens"; and “over-the-horizon aquaculture”™. Co-founder Neil Sims will discuss the latest developments in open-ocean aquaculture.
Mar 28, 2016, 5:00 PM
In addition to county and state responses to the dengue fever outbreak, community action can be quite effective. Mosquito traps can substantially reduce the mosquito population and break the cycle of infection. Van Eden will describe how he has reverse engineered a number of commercial and research traps to enable anyone to make effective traps using relatively safe chemicals and containers like jars or buckets.
Feb 29, 2016, 5:00 PM
Seismic monitoring at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to detect and track patterns of earthquake activity that foreshadow eruptions at both Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes. Elevated levels of seismicity recently noted beneath Mauna Loa, along with suggestive patterns of measured ground surface deformations, suggest that the volcano is at an elevated level of unrest. HVO geophysicist Paul Okubo will discuss the current seismic state of Mauna Loa, as well as seismological observations that HVO has keyed on in the past to issue eruption forecasts.
Feb 10, 2016, 5:00 PM
Far Out! Medicine on Mars will provide an overview of the medical challenges associated with travel to and habitation on Mars. Among other issues, the problems created by microgravity, isolation, toxic dust exposure, and a lack of complex medical care will be discussed. A brief introduction to "sMars" (simulated Mars) and the current HI-SEAS Mission IV on Mauna Loa will also be provided.
Jan 25, 2016, 5:00 PM
Join us for the 5th annual Robotics Design Review. Midway into the FIRST Robotics Competition's build period, our high school robotics teams will show their plans for winning robots. This year's game is an assault on a castle; it should be a fascinating evening.
Dec 14, 2015, 5:00 PM
Prof. Tadafumi Adschiri is an international leader in the field of supercritical water technology and a member of the Science Council of Japan. His research in the generation of nano-catalysts with supercritical water has significant impacts on the future of renewable energy, especially as it relates to biomass conversion.
Nov 23, 2015, 5:00 PM
How can visual media be used as an effective outreach and marketing tool for science? Come meet underwater photographer and science communication specialist Christine Shepard and learn about her role in launching an innovative research and outreach program for the University of Miami’s Shark Research Lab.
Oct 26, 2015, 5:00 PM
What's the connection between wind power and our water supply? Come hear how a proposed new wind farm will save Hawaii County water supply customers one million dollars per year in energy costs.
Sep 28, 2015, 5:00 PM
Paniolo Power, a subsidiary of Parker Ranch, made a splash last year when they announced they could provide renewable electricity for the Kohala region more cost effectively than the utility. General Manager Jose Dizon will present parts of the more detailed investigations they have been pursuing with their partners Siemens and Booz Allen since that time.
Aug 31, 2015, 5:00 PM
Are you someone who holds or would like to hold events to connect and support Hawaii's entrepreneurial, investor and corporate communities? Come learn about how you can apply for grant money to support these events. Are you just interested in the tech scene? Come and meet fellow science and tech professionals.
Apr 27, 2015, 5:00 PM
At least 60 cases of rat lungworm disease (RLWD) have been documented in humans in Hawaii, most of them originating from the Puna district of Hawaii Island. While symptoms can be mild and flu-like, there have been many severe cases that have resulted in long-term disability and even death.
Mar 30, 2015, 5:00 PM
NELHA has been monitoring its equipment using a variety of disparate systems. Over the past year or so, it has been upgrading to a comprehensive data acquisition system. It is now possible to get real-time data on pumping stations and their power usage, which will allow them to improve pumping efficiencies and reduce operational costs.
Feb 23, 2015, 5:00 PM
Anyone can fly an unmanned aircraft, but it takes a special understanding of Geographic Information Systems to turn imagery into actionable data. University of Hawaii-Hilo has been using UAVs to map the active lava flow on the Big Island since October, 2014, in direct support of Hawaii Civil Defense and USGS disaster relief efforts.
Jan 26, 2015, 5:00 PM
Join us for the 4th annual robotics design review