HAWAII ISLAND FIELD EXCURSION

IN GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

AUG 23-SEPT 9, 2004

10 college quarter credits

(Plus a required follow-up session; see below for specifics)

 PHOTO GALLERY OF 2004 TRIP!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(most recent first)

July 21, 2004: AT THIS TIME, ALL PARTICIPANTS HAVE PAID THEIR TUITION AND FEES IN FULL. BECAUSE THIS PAYMENT IS NONREFUNDABLE, IT IS UNLIKELY THERE WILL BE ANY FURTHER CANCELLATIONS. HOWEVER, THE EXTREMELY INTERESTED AND PRUDENT PERSON SHOULD STILL CALL EVELYN IN REGISTRATION AT 253-964-6616 M-F 9AM-4PM TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE STRONGLY CONSIDERING OFFERING THIS TRIP AGAIN DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME OF 2005, SO PLEASE CONSULT THIS WEB PAGE PERIODICALLY FOR UPDATES! ALOHA!

May 25, 2004: THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL! IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED, IT IS COMMON TO HAVE CANCELLATIONS. PLEASE CALL EVELYN AT 253-964-6616, M-F, 9 AM-4 PM TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST!

May 25, 2004: ONE OPENING REMAINS FOR THIS TRIP AS OF THIS MORNING!

May 21, 2004: ONLY TWO SPOTS NOW REMAIN FOR THIS TRIP! IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT GOING ON THIS EXCITING FIELD EXCURSION, I SUGGEST YOU REGISTER IMMEDIATELY!

May 7, 2004: PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING AIR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BELOW!

October 24, 2003: This trip IS NOW SET UP with registration. You may register at any time! See REGISTRATION INFORMATION below. TERM AND CONDITIONS apply.

DATES | COST | STAFF INFORMATION | DESCRIPTION | TRAVEL | ACCOMMODATIONS | EXPECTED WEATHER | MEALS | SYLLABUS | REGISTRATION INFORMATION | PHOTO GALLERY

 

DESCRIPTION

This Field Excursion in Geology and Environmental Biology will consist of 4 days of classroom instruction at Pierce College Puyallup in preparation for 10 days of field study on the Island of Hawaii (the ìBig Islandî). These courses will focus on the geology and environmental biology within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but many nearby areas of significance will be visited outside the park as well.

 

While in Hawaii, first-hand opportunities to observe Hawaiiís recently active volcanism (including current activity, if accessible) and geographic isolation will allow us the opportunity to decipher volcanic process and hazards of the Hawaiian hot spot, as well as the effects on the biology of this unique island. We will observe how Hawaiiís active volcanism and geographic isolation have impacted the native species and their loss over time. Much of the knowledge acquired on this trip will be applicable to the Pacific Northwest. The trip is 10 credits of Natural Science or Core Electives or General Transferable Electives towards the AAS or AS degrees at Pierce College. Transferable to most colleges and universities. TERMS AND CONDITIONS apply! Please read carefully before registering!

IMPORTANT COURSE DATES

Final Payment Due/Last Day for Refund (less $150 nonrefundable deposit): June 30, 2004

Mandatory Orientation: July 9, 2004, 2 PM, Pierce College Puyallup, Room L108

Classroom Instruction: Aug 23-26, 2004, Pierce College Puyallup, Room L108

Field Instruction in Hawaii (including travel days): Aug 30-Sept 9

Follow-up Session: Sept 25, 2004; 9 AM-6 PM, L108, Pierce College Puyallup and Bradley Park, Puyallup

Check out the PRELIMINARY TRIP ITINERARY!

 

COST: $1195

Cost Break-down:

10 Credits Tuition: $693.50

Fees and Expenses: $501.50

Many financial aid packages will cover the tuition portion of the trip. Some packages may even cover the entire cost. Consult your financial aid specialist for details.

Total cost includes tuition, accommodations, van transportation, and admission fees. Airfare and meals ARE NOT INCLUDED. Each participant is responsible for making and paying for their own air travel arrangements.

NOTE: the cost of this trip is based on a MINIMUM of 9 students. However, if the trip fills to its capacity of 21 students, the college should be able to cover the cost of some meals, thus reducing the overall cost to the students.

 

STAFF INFORMATION

GEOLOGY INSTRUCTOR: TOM BUSH

PIERCE COLLEGE PUYALLUP

1601 39TH AVE SE

PUYALLUP, WA. 98374-2222

253.840-8484 (office)

253.840-8388 (fax)

tbush@pierce.ctc.edu

Please see my home page for educational background and other information.

Tom Bush has been leading Field Excursion courses since 1993, during which time he has conducted over two dozen such trips to various places in the western United States. Destinations have included the Rocky Mountains of Montana; Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Craters of the Moon areas; the Colorado Plateau (including Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks); Death Valley; Mt. St. Helens; Mt. Rainier; and Hawaii.

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR: DALE BLUM

PIERCE COLLEGE PUYALLUP

1601 39TH AVE SE

PUYALLUP, WA. 98374-2222

253.840-8368 (office)

253.840-8388 (fax)

dblum@pierce.ctc.edu

EDUCATION: Doctor of Philosophy, Plant Physiology, University of Washington, 1998; Masters of Science, Botany, University of Washington, 1992.

EXPERIENCE: Dale Blum has taught various biology courses for the University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University, The University of Puget Sound, San Francisco State and the School for International Studies in Costa Rica, Central America, as well as Pierce College Puyallup. She has had the pleasure of team teaching several field classes including a course on the Values of wilderness that was taught in Wrangell- St. Elias National Park in Alaska, a basic botany course in Costa Rica, and Plant Alpine Ecology in Washington State. Dale also assisted Tom Bush on a recent Field Excursion to Canyon Country, Utah.

 

FIELD EXCRUSION ASSISTANT: JOY KORFF

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Environmental Studies, University of Washington Tacoma, 2004. Associated in Arts and Sciences, Pierce College, 2001.

EXPERIENCE: Field Excursion Assistant on 6 previous trips, including 2003 Hawaii Volcanoes Field Excursion; 2 years experience as Student Lab Assistant in Earth Sciences Dept., Pierce College Puyallup in Physical Geology, Earth History, and Environmental Geology. First aid/CPR certified. Experienced camper, cook, and all around great person.

 

IMPORTANT WEB LINKS

For information on the areas we will be visiting:

Information on accommodations at the Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) dormitories

For weather updates for the area to be visited (Under Find a Forecast Enter a city name or Zip code, enter Hilo, Hawaii) or try this site for weather information

For updates on current volcanic activity at Kilauea Volcano: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

National Park Service, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

United States Geological Survey, Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, near Hilo, Hawaii

Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hilo, Hawaii

Onizuka Center For International Astronomy, Mauna Kea, Hawaii

The Turtle Shop at Black Sand Beach, Punaluu Hawaii!

 

TRAVEL

May 18, 2004: Our travel agent has found a GREAT round trip airfare between Seattle and Hilo, Hawaii! We have booked a package of seats for this trip at a price much below what a person could get if booking individually! Please DONíT DELAY if you intend to go! Once you register, you will be contacted with the travel agentís name and phone number.

 

Ground Transportation in Hawaii: Travel will be by 7-passenger mini vans, with 5 persons per van. The cost of van rental and gasoline are included in the price of the trip. The vans have A/C and a cassette/CD player.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

We will be staying in college-style dormitories at Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) located near the rim of Kilauea Volcano caldera at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Each dormitory room sleeps six (3 sets of bunk beds, see photo to left). For photos of the dorm rooms see the 1st two pictures at click here. Linens will be supplied by KMC. Rest rooms with showers are located within the building nearby. The dorms are conveniently located near the KMC cafeteria for breakfast and the convenience store (for a complete description of other facilities at KMC, see the Kilauea Military Camp website). The rim of Kilauea caldera and is a short walk from KMC, providing splendid destinations for evening walks. The 13,677 ft. summit of Mauna Loa looms majestically to the west.

 

EXPECTED WEATHER

Weather in Hawaii of course is tropical and warm, but may vary considerably depending on elevation and location on the Big Island. At sea level, highs are consistently in the mid-80s (degrees F), with very high humidity. The east side, or Hilo side is known as the ìrainy sideî due to Pacific marine air being forced up the slopes of the volcanoes by the northeast trade winds. We will spend several days of the trip on the Hilo side, so participants must be prepared for rain. The west side of the Big Island, or Kona side, lies in the rain shadow of the volcanoes and therefore tends to be drier. We will spend some time on this side as well. Additionally, the temperature decreases, of course, with elevation. Our dorms at KMC near the rim of Kilauea Caldera are at 4,000 feet, so nighttime temperatures may drop into the 40s (degrees F). One day will be spent driving to an elevation of over 11,000 feet on the slope of Mauna Loa volcano where the temperature will be extremely chilly, particularly if there is wind. In general, mornings on Kilauea tend to start out clear, sunny, and crisp, but may be overcast with a misty rain falling. However, as the trade winds strengthen during the day, clouds and rain develop.

 

MEALS

Meals are NOT INCLUDED in the cost of this trip, and will generally be eaten out. Breakfasts may be eaten at Kilauea Military Camp cafeteria a short walk from the dormitories, and are a good value. These breakfasts are ala carte. They also provide sack lunches for those who wish at a reasonable cost. Alternatively, there will be opportunities to purchase breakfast and lunch items at a grocery store about every other day. Dinners will generally be eaten out at various locations. We will probably stop for one sit-down dinner at a nice restaurant as a group where our travel schedule and route dictate. Other dinners will be eaten out in Hilo or Kona as we pass through on the way back to Kilauea, and participants will have a variety of proprietor options, including sit-down restaurants or fast food. In the past, many participants have purchased inexpensive styrofoam ice chests on the first day for storing perishables purchased at the grocery store for breakfast/lunch, and this helps minimize meal costs. Another way to defray some of the meal costs is to stuff your luggage with snacks from home, too! Generally, plan on approximately $200 for meals for the trip.

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

TERMS AND CONDITIONS apply! Please read carefully before registering!

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION:

In-person registration will be accepted at either campus (Puyallup or Fort Steilacoom) through the orientation meeting date (see GENERAL INFORMATION). You are advised to call Continuing Education Phone Registration (253 964-6616) before coming in to register, as the Field Study may fill or be canceled prior to its advertised starting date. Please be prepared to pay a non-refundable deposit of $150. The balance of $1045 will be due by June 28 (not refundable after that date).

 

PHONE-IN REGISTRATION:

Students may enroll in Continuing Education classes by phone. Simply call 253 964-6616 between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. The non-refundable deposit of $150 for telephone registration is due within the next five working days [the balance of $1045 will be due by June 28 (not refundable after that date)]. Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card (VISA or MasterCard). Mail check or money order to: Registration, Pierce College, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA. 98498-1999. Your canceled check or money order will serve as a receipt.

 

TO REGISTER:

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR A TOTAL OF 10 CREDITS FOR THIS TRIP.

PICK ONE OF THE GEOLOGY CLASSES BELOW (PREFERABLY GEOL 120, UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT) AND NSCI 160. TOTAL COST IS FOR BOTH IS $1195.00.

PICK ONE OF:

GEOL 120-Geology of the National Parks and Monuments (Bush)

GER-NS (5 cr) Item #F461  $597.50

GEOL 282-Volcanoes and Their Hazards (Bush)

GTE (5 cr) Item #F462  $597.50

GEOL 283-Regional Geology (Bush)

GTE (5 cr) Item F463  $597.50

 

AND REGISTER FOR:

NSCI 160-Environmental Biology (Blum)

GER-NS (5 cr) Item #F464  $597.50

FOR A TOTAL OF TWO CLASSES AND 10 CREDITS and A TOTAL OF $1195.00

A Fall Quarter listing. TERMS AND CONDITIONS apply! Please read carefully before registering!

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