HVNP After Dark ‘Out of the Park’ Schedule

A two-tone ‘ōhi‘a lehua at Kahuku. NPS Photo/David Boyle.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s popular After Dark program will travel outside of HVNP grounds this year in celebration of the park’s centennial anniversary.

After Dark “Out of the Park” programs will span from Hilo to Kailua-Kona.

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo will host four one-hour After Dark Out of the Park programs on Feb. 24, June 29, Aug. 17, and Oct. 26. Each program is free and starts at 7 p.m.

In Kailua-Kona, the Kona Historical Society will host an After Dark Out of the Park program on July 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. Free parking is available. See the schedule below for Kona and Hilo presentations:

After Dark Out of the Park: The Natural Resources of Kahuku. 

Park Botanist Sierra McDaniel and Wildlife Biologist Jon Faford will discuss the natural treasures of the Kahuku Unit, former ranch lands acquired by the National Park Service in 2003, and the challenges of conserving native species like nēnē, hāhā, and Mauna Loa silverswords that cling to life here. The talk is sponsored by Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

After Dark Out of the Park: The Evolution of Landscape Restoration at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Since its establishment in 1916, various attempts to conserve and protect the park’s rich biological resources have been made by the Territory of Hawai‘i, the National Park Service, and citizen scientists – with varying degrees of success. Beginning in 1970, park staff adopted a systematic park-wide approach to managing species and habitats, which continues today. Chief of Natural Resource Management Dr. Rhonda Loh will discuss the Special Ecological Areas, or SEAs, and decades of successful restoration in HVNP. The event will take place at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

A view of Ka Lae (South Point) from Kahuku. NPS Photo/David Boyle.

After Dark Out of the Park: The Establishment of Hawai’i National Park. 

Park Archeologist Dr. Jadelyn Moniz-Nakamura shares the story of the development of Hawai’i National Park, and presents a fascinating look at the extraordinary individuals of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries who were key in creating the national park that then included the summits of Kilauea and Haleakalā on Maui. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Hawai’i Civic Center.

After Dark Out of the Park: The Establishment of Hawai’i National Park. 

Park Archeologist Dr. Jadelyn Moniz-Nakamura shares the story of the development of Hawaii National Park, and presents a fascinating look at the extraordinary individuals of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries who were key in creating the national park that then included the summits of Kīlauea and Haleakalā on Maui. The event will take place at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.

After Dark Out of the Park: LiDAR Sheds New Light on Hidden Gems. 

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is used to digitize archaeological resources, including ancient footprints, petroglyph fields, and agricultural systems. Join park archeologist Dusten Robbins to learn how the park uses LiDAR in managing cultural resources and future uses of this exciting technology. The event will take place at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

Each presentation will be followed by a complementary hike or excursion in the park on the following Saturday to encourage people to “Find Your Park.”

Visit the HVNP website for the Centennial Hike Series schedule and After Dark In the Park programs.

The HVNP Centennial After Dark in the Park, After Dark Out of the Park, and Hike Series is free, and no advance registration is required.

The series is co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and donations are greatly appreciated.