Preparation for Kauai

Aloha,

We leave for Kauai tomorrow.  This morning we organized, inventoried, and packed all the gear we will need for this research excursion.  This included the Gatewing, the blimp, a kite, remote controlled planes and helicopters, the XRF, a GPR unit (ground penetrating radar), and a host of computers, electrical gear, cameras, and anything else you can imagine to make luggage check at the airport a bit more interesting.  As scientists, our approach to any problem must be carefully planned and follow an exacting methodology.  Our technical approach to gear transport incorporated several torn pieces of cardboard and about three roles of duct tape.  I’ll be sure to grab some photos when we head out tomorrow.

I am looking forward to the initiation of research at Mahaulepu and the generation of data from our work.  The rest of today will be spent reading in preparation for the coming week.  Tomorrow, we will leave for the airport around six in the morning and arrive in Lihue sometime around noon.  The rest of the day will most likely involve settling in to our new surroundings at the National Tropical Botanical Garden at Lawai.  Work will resume on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

– John Thornton O’Connor