March Hawaiian Cultural & After Dark in the Park Events

As Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park celebrates its 100^th anniversary in 2016, Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs continue in March.

All After Dark in the Park and Hawaiian cultural programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a successful federal job program initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. From 1933 to 1942, the young men of the CCC built much of the early infrastructure seen today in national parks across the country. In Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the local CCC built historic structures like Kilauea Visitor Center and the Mauna Loa shelter, and constructed fences, trails, much of the striking rockwork along the iconic Crater Rim Drive, and much more. Today, the legacy of the CCC lives on for present and future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Join Archeologist Summer Roper and Supervisory Park Ranger Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita as they reveal key accomplishments of the CCC and share what life was like during this era of hope on Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. The talk will take place within the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

National Parks Traveling Quilt Exhibit. 

Inspired by the centennial of the National Park Service, Nebraska artists selected 13 national parks, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which also turns 100 this year, as inspiration for a traveling collection of quilts. The quilts will be on display in the Volcano House’s Great Room, just off the lobby, starting Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 27 (Easter). Visitors are invited to view the quilts at any time during those dates. The quilts were created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha area. Dorothy Heidemann-Nelson, a retired chemist, created the quilt that represents Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, incorporating traditional Hawaiian kapa (bark cloth) created by Hawai‘i Island kapa maker Joni Mae Makuakāne-Jarrell, who also serves as the park’s Chief of Interpretation. The kapa on the left side of the quilt represents the volcanic birth of the island chain and culture of the islands, and the right side represents new life. The park will receive the quilt as a gift after the traveling exhibit ends in December.

Ahu Lā‘ī (Ti leaf cape) Demonstration.  

Ahu lā‘ī, or ti leaf capes, were fashioned by attaching individual steams of the ti leaf to a net mesh. The cape was worn over the shoulders to protect the wearer from driving winds and rain. Join park rangers as they demonstrate how to make this useful cape, and add a few leaves yourself! It is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. The demonstration will take place on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai on Wednesday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Kai Ho‘opi‘i in Concert. 

Enjoy an evening of Hawaiian music through the sweet voice of Kai Ho‘opi‘i, who shares the music of his ‘ohana from Kahakuloa, Maui. Ho’opi’i is the winner of the Aloha Festivals Hawaiian falsetto signing contest. The concert is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations, taking place on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Find Your Park on the Big Screen. 

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will show sister park movies to raise awareness of the other national parks in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands during its centennial year – which also marks the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service. The first movie will be The Soul of Kalaupapa: Voices of Exile, a beautiful and poignant 52-minute film by Fred E. Woods.  Discover what life was like for the patients and residents of Kalaupapa, removed from their families because of the fear and stigma of leprosy (Hansen’s disease). Today, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Moloka‘i shares the history and culture of the people and places of Kalaupapa’s past. The movie will play on Friday, March 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Note: This film will also be shown for free at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo on Wed., March 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Science and Technology Building 108.

Centennial Series After Dark in the Park: Recovery Efforts for Endangered Native Birds, Nēnē, & ‘Ua‘u. 

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to numerous endangered plants and animals. Wildlife Biologist Kathleen Misajon will highlight two critically endangered bird species, the iconic nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and the mysterious ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel). Learn about the park’s current and future monitoring programs and how these species are faring in the park and throughout Hawai‘i on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Hawaiian Games.

Come try your skill at fun Hawaiian games that have been played by generations of Hawaiian families. Join park rangers and staff from the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, who will demonstrate various games on Wednesday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai.

Centennial Hike: Protect Nēnē and Devastation Trail

Become a park steward and join park staff to mālama (care for) a section of Devastation Trail that provides important nēnē habitat. Workers will remove knotweed and other invasive plants that threaten nēnē habitat. Sturdy footwear, water, light raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. The event takes place on Saturday, March 26 at 9 a.m. Participants should meet at the Devastation Trail Parking lot.

Members of the CCC perform rock work along Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo.

The NPS Traveling Quilt Exhibit poster. NPS Photo.

Dorothy Heidemann-Nelson created the quilt that represents Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, incorporating traditional Hawaiian kapa (bark cloth) and representing the volcanic processes that created the Hawaiian Islands.

Musician Kai Ho‘opi‘i at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. NPS Photo.

Ranger JZ adds to a ti leaf cape, the ahu Lā‘ī. NPS Photo.

The Kalaupapa Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Tylor Tanaka.

An endangered nēnē near an ‘ōhi‘a tree at Mauna Ulu. Photo courtesy of Janice Wei.

A keiki enjoys the Hawaiian game of ‘ulumaika. NPS Photo/Jay Robinson