June Hawaiian Cultural & After Dark in the Park Events

During the month of June, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park will continue to share its Hawaiian Culture and After Dark in the Park programs.

The programs are free but park entrance fees apply.

Volcanic Ash Impacts around the World: Lessons from the Field and Laboratory

Dr. Tom Wilson, a lecturer of Hazard and Disaster Management in the Department of Geological Studies at the University of Canterbury, will discuss short and long-term ash impacts in New Zealand based on findings by him and his team of scientists. Dr. Wilson will also discuss the resiliency of rural and isolated communities to natural disasters. Along with his team of scientists, Dr. Wilson’s research focused on the impact of recent disasters in the Canterbury region. Interested individuals can participate in the discussion at the Kilauea Visitors Center Auditorium on Tuesday, June 9 from 7-8 p.m.

Lito Arkangel in Concert

On Wednesday, June 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. entertainer and songwriter Lito Arkangel will share his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites at the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium. Arkangel is a native of what is now called Kea’au and learned music by turning pages for his grandmother, who played piano for the local church. An accomplished full-time entertainer and musician, Arkangel recently released his newest album, “Lito Arkangel … Me ke Aloha,” which was produced by Grammy Award winner Charles Michael Brotman. In 2015, Arkangel was a finalist for the “Most Promising Artist” award at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Silverswords and Lobeliads: Restoring Hawai’i’s Marvels of Evolution

Dr. Robert Robichaux, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona, will focus on the Ka’u silversword and Pele lobeliad as examples of some of the world’s most spectacular examples of plant adaptive radiation. The founder and president of the Board of Trustees of the Hawaiian Silversword Foundation, Dr. Robichaux will discuss the high collaborative, large-scale endangered plant reintroduction efforts on the Big Island. The talk will take place on Tuesday, June 23 from 7-8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium.

Ti Leaf Lei Demonstration

A demonstration of ti leaf lei making will take place on Wednesday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Kilauea Visitors Center lanai. Park rangers will demonstrate the process as part of the ongoing ‘Ike Hana No’eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.