Author Archives: Levi

Friends, family, and colleagues,[1] I’m happy to announce that I will be defending my PhD Dissertation on Monday Sept 19, 2016 (10am).  There will be both science and likely poetry about science[2]; followed later by libations, food, and merriment (2-5:30), and eventually beach games & sunset (5:30-dark). Note:  though not guaranteed, let’s assume I pass the defense  🙂 Schedule (all happening on MondayContinue reading “LEVI LEWIS: DOCTORAL DEFENSE 9/19 10AM”

My heart goes out to you, Orlando, and all affected. Orlando club shooter used AR-15 — the same rifle used in Newtown ……………………………………………………………………………………….      “Americas most popular” AR-15 (M16) assault rifles strike our own people again and again and again. What’s the solution?  Well, anti-biotics will never stop all bacterial infections, but they have consistentlyContinue reading “Orlando, M16s, and antibiotics”

I appreciate debate.  And I do understand the appeal of Trump and don’t deny that he he exhibits some attractive qualities.  He promises to overhaul immigration, pull out/renegotiate trade agreements, bring back jobs to US soil, and “Make America Great Again”; all sound like potentially good things.  Initially, he even espoused some pretty liberal positions on theContinue reading “TRUMP – Sources, Videos, Citations”

It’s a marathon.  Rather, it’s a marathon-length obstacle course.  Rather, it’s a marathon length obstacle course throughout which one must sprint (and jump, climb, dive, bleed, cry, swim, crawl…you get the idea). They say I’m lucky, and I am.  But perspective means everything. This has been quite a busy 2013: February:  Maui Research March: DissertationContinue reading “It’s not a sprint…”

I regularly find myself strangely stoked…well…life is good like that. I’m stoked I’m in Maui again.  I’m stoked that Maui is getting much needed rain.  I’m stoked to be wet and cold, daily. I’m stoked for short intervals of dry/calmness.  I’m stoked my dive buddy has busted butt, though southern storms, sediments, swell, & tigasContinue reading “Strangely Stoked”

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. This blog got about 3,500 views in 2012. Attractions in 2012 These are the posts that got the most views in 2012. 1 An Academic Place in Time and Space  October 2011 2 Pau Hana Maui  December 2011 3 Good Kine OverfishingContinue reading “2012 in review”

Given their warmth, clarity & beautiful corals, Hawaii’s waters certainly have their charm; however, it took only one dive off La Jolla to remind myself of two truths:  (1)  there’s no place like home where (2) the grass is always greener, literally.  

I have recently had the chance to photograph a few rare stars on the reef. Edmonson’s pipefish (Halicampus edmondsoni) This was a rare find.  My buddy, Don, spotted a mated pair in Kaanapali and took some great shots.  When he contacted the fish experts in Hawaii to confirm his ID, Don learned that he hadContinue reading “Na Hoku”

I’m in Maui. Daily, I hope for nothing less than warm days, beads of sweat on my brow, scuba tanks, warm water, sandy beaches, and tropical drinks with little straw hats.  So it seemed insane to me that my friends wanted to drive 10,000 feet into the sky to scope out a mountain/volcano; beyond theContinue reading “Descent/Ascent into/from the House of the Sun”

We climbed into the water near Mala boat ramp.  After catching my breath from laughing @ Em & Sam beached on a concrete slab, we rounded the corner & descended into a shallow world of massive rubble piles covered in coral.   This is the Mala pier; or what’s left of it after it collapsed inContinue reading “Mala Shark Encounter”