Kona, Hawaii USA
The stop in Kona, Hawaii is an important one because as the GV makes its way south, it needs to stop multiple times to refuel and get supplies. Kona, Hawaii and other islands in the Pacific allows for island hopping their way down to New Zealand. Besides, the crew needs a little time to warm up after spending time in Alaska and deep northern latitudes!

Another reason that sampling near Hawaii is important is that there is a NOAA research station based on Mauna Loa, Hawaii (Earth's largest volcano) where atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is measured. The important difference is that the measurements taken on top if Mauna Loa are from a single fixed point, whereas the measurements and sampling taken during the HIPPO project come from a vertical profile of the atmosphere, so many samples from 1000' to 45,000', near Hawaii, will be taken and can be compared to the CO2 measurements taken from Mauna Loa.

Kona, HI Weather

Current Conditions: 65.0F / 18.3C, Scattered Clouds - 6:58 AM HST Feb. 10

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 06:58:00 HST

Temperature: 65.0°F / 18.3°C | Humidity: 63% | Pressure: 29.99in / 1016hPa (Rising) | Conditions: Scattered Clouds | Wind Direction: NE | Wind Speed: 6.0mph / 9.7km/h
 
Today as of Feb. 10 4:15 AM HST

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 04:15:00 HST

Today - Mostly sunny. Haze. Highs around 82 at the shore to around 69 at 5000 feet. Southeast winds up to 10 mph shifting to the west late in the morning...then shifting to the southwest with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon.
 
Fri, 10 Feb 2017 04:15:00 HST

Tonight - Partially cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy with isolated showers after midnight. Haze through the night. Lows around 71 at the shore to around 50 at 5000 feet. Southeast winds up to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.