Last month, the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory adopted the Island of Hawai‘i Interagency Operations Plan for Volcanic Eruptions (hereafter referred to as the Interagency Volcano Plan).

Today’s column comes to you as we head for Italy. We are already missing the tropical ambiance of Hawaii Island and won’t be back until two days before the Nov. 5 election. We especially want to be home for that event.

The island of Hawaii is one of the most seismically active areas in the world, producing thousands of earthquakes every year. It also commonly produces a signal called tremor that can originate from the volcanic system.

Our young volcanic soils are often in need of organic matter and nutrients. Where animal manures are available they are probably the best source of fertilizer. Compost and mulch can also help to add and hold nutrients.

Hawaii military veterans can apply for a free tour to Washington, D.C., in recognition of their service.

The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science is celebrating its 30th anniversary of growing the next generation of aloha ‘aina leaders in Hawaii and the Pacific through transformative place-based internships, mentorship, innovative programming, and strategic partnerships.

Temperatures remain warm but things are about to change. Fall will officially arrive Sept. 22 in the northern hemisphere since the sun will move south of the equator. The autumnal equinox for us is spring for those south of the equator. As the earth tips to the north the sun appears to move further from us, days are shorter and plants tend to slow their growth.