MEET COHORT 1

Today, we say ALOHA and WELCOME to the first cohort of the Pacific International Training Desk for 2014.  In the next 4 weeks, participants  will learn, train, observe and shadow weather forecasters at the NWS Honolulu Forecast Office, satellite communication systems (e.g., RANET, SMS) specialists and many other subject matter experts at the University of Hawaii.   It is our hope that trainees leave the Pacific Desk with an expanded knowledge, skills, and abilities of regional forecast processes, networks, and available resources. It is also our goal for trainees to become knowledgeable about observational and forecast tools and systems within the region, and are encouraged to exercise gained knowledge, skills, and abilities in host countries and institutional environments.

ElifaletiEne_webi Mr. Elifaleti “Earl” Ene is a Senior Observer at the Tuvalu Meteorological Services.  He has been working with the Tuvalu Meteorological Services since 1993.  He has attended many meteorological trainings and workshops including those on climate data (e.g CliDe), climate validation; modelling; climate impacts; risk reduction (DDR); disaster preventer; and many more.  He has also attended an observer training course in Fiji.  Earls current responsibilities include but are not limited to preparing forecast reports; data quality monitoring and control and training of new observer recruits.
RichardGokrun_web Mr. Richard Gokrun is an Observer with the Tuvalu Meteorological Services. He is doing his Diploma in Computing Science at the University of the South Pacific. He has worked in the field of meteorology in the last decade and has attended several training courses including Third country program on Regional Meteorology Training for Pacific Island Countries Meteorological Equipment and Instruments Maintenance Calibration Training course (Nadi, Fiji 2012); Climate Prediction and Applications (Nadi, Fiji 2009), 10th WMO Southern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone and public weather workshop (Nadi, Fiji 2013) and many more.

MEET THE PACIFIC DESK INSTRUCTORS

Jennifer Strahl HI2 Jennifer Strahl joins the Pacific International Training Desk as the Meteorological Trainer.  Jennifer joins the Pacific Desk with experience in weather forecasting, broadcast meteorology, scientific research, programming/development, and education.  She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University. Read more…
2014 Tom Thomas Okamura joins the Pacific International Training Desk as the Communication Systems Trainer.  Tommy is the Operations Manager for the TASI Research Program.  He is responsible for planning, design, implementation, and managing the technical systems and application networks and user technologies of the PEACESAT Satellite Communications program.   Read more…

Other instructors and specialists will be a part of the guests lecturers through the training program.

Selection Process for future cohorts

The selection committee have begun to review applications for Cohorts 2, 3, and 4.  We will place applicants in appropriate cohorts based on prior experience, education and training.  Review of applicants will be completed and applicants notified no later then June 30, 2014.

Schedule of Cohorts:

  • Cohort 1:  16 Jun – 11 July 2014
  • Cohort 2: 11 Aug – 5th Sept 2014
  • Cohort 3:  15 Sept – 10 Oct 2014
  • Cohort 4:  20 Oct – 14 Nov 2014