October Hawaiian Cultural & After Dark in the Park Events

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

Admission to the culture and after dark programs are free, but park entrance fees apply.

Fossil History of Hawai‘i.

Bone up on the fascinating fossil history of Hawai‘i for National Fossil Day on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Although Hawai‘i didn’t have dinosaurs, the fossils of Hawai‘i are protected in its national parks and include human footprints in volcanic ash, extinct birds, and trees entombed by lava flows. Fossil expert Joe Iacuzzo of the Ka‘ū Learning Academy and anthropologist Mark Sledziewski share their expertise on the fossils of Hawai‘i and other incredible fossil discoveries from around the world – including dinosaurs. The history lesson will take place in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Ti leaf lei-making is a hands-on, and toes-on, experience at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Photo credit: David Boyle.

Make a Ti Leaf Lei. 

Park rangers will demonstrate how to create a beautiful ti leaf lei during this hands-on demonstration, Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.

Sean Robbins photo courtesy of Fletch Photography.

Hawaiian Music Concert by Sean “Olanui” Robbins. 

This 21-year-old kī hō‘alu (slack-key) guitarist and songwriter is a rising star and shares his love of old Hawai‘i through his soulful and heartfelt music. Sean is a protégé of legendary slack-key musician Cyril Pahinui and the musical Keli‘iho‘omalu ‘ohana in Kaimū. His recently released debut CD, Olanui, will be available for sale at the concert.Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” performances. The performance will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium.

Book signing: The Last Volcano, by author by John Dvorak. 

Thomas Jaggar traveled the world studying volcanic eruptions. In 1912, he started the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at Kilauea. A widowed schoolteacher, Isabel Maydwell, came to Hawai‘i from California to restart her life. She and Dr. Jaggar fell in love and lived in a small house at the edge of Kīlauea caldera. Together, they solved the mystery of why volcanoes erupt and found something else – enduring love. The Last Volcano is the story of the science and romance of volcanoes and why some people choose to dedicate their lives to confronting nature in its most magnificent form. Join author John Dvorak, a former staff member of HVO, for a special program and book signing on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series, the event will take place at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

‘Ulana Lauhala. 

Spend time with park rangers and cultural practitioners who share the art of ‘ulana lauhala (pandanus weaving) and learn how to prepare leaves for weaving on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.