E-Mails sent to 17th World Congress Mailing List Registrants

February 2003

The abstract deadline of March 15th is rapidly approaching. Abstracts are being submitted at an increasingly rapid rate. Abstracts are easily submitted online through our web site. For the most part, we have been able to judge the abstracts and respond with notice of acceptance within one month. Submissions for poster presentations have been quite impressive; a number of the abstracts have been rated as superb by our judges. The organizing committee thus plans to make sure that poster sessions are given prominence in a nice setting, with refreshments available. These sessions will be informal, with opportunities to speak directly to the authors of studies of interest. Because of the International nature of the Congress, the opportunity to interact with colleagues from different countries should be particularly exciting and valuable. Many of us especially enjoy poster sessions, because of the opportunity to actively discuss concepts, theories, clinical experiences, and recent research findings. Similarly, authors often prefer to present their work as a poster in order to have one to one discussions in the area of their work with interested parties. Social activities As in previous e-mail communications, we highlight a couple of the available activities. We have received questions about the safety of viewing the volcano. The volcano is quite safe, as long as one does not stray off marked trails and venture too close to flowing lava or volcanic fumes. The volcano on the Big Island has been spewing lava since 1983, continually. It is not the "explosive" type of volcanic eruption, i.e. there is no abnormal buildup of pressure that characterize some volcanic eruptions (Mt. St. Helens for example). Additionally, the Kilauea flow is confined to a region on the Big Island some 80 miles away from the Kohala Coast (location of the Waikoloa Hilton). Actually, visitors find the Volcano National Park to be one of the great things to visit on the Big Island. Viewing fresh lava fields is quite an experience to see. Walking through a large "lava tube" is fascinating, and for some it is the best part of the Volcano National Park. A tube is formed when hot molten lava flows rapidly through older solidified lava forming a long cave-like tunnel, or tube. If you are lucky, you may also have the opportunity to see lava flowing into the ocean, erupting into flames, and forming new beach. The beautiful black sand beaches of the big Island of Hawaii were formed by ancient lava being ground to fine sand from the constant action of ocean waves. Another activity to consider is deep-sea fishing. Here is the opportunity to experience being an out in the deep ocean catching large game fish. Some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world is easily accessible at a reasonable cost from the Kona Kohala coast of the big island. In contrast to many areas of the United States, tourism in Hawaii is rapidly recovering. Prices are rising along the Kohala coast. We again encourage early reservations at the Congress hotel at our contracted rate, which is $50-80 less per night than can be obtained if you are not part of our group! Aloha The Organizing Committee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please visit the ICPM 2003 Website at http://www.hawaiiresidency.org/icpm2003