June 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 through June.

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 and Hawai’i Pacific Parks Association.

The cast for Hā‘upu, the Hawaiian language opera presented by Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i. Courtesy photo.

Hawaiian Language Opera: Hā‘upu. 

Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i will present the Hawaiian language opera “Hā‘upu,” based on the legend of Hina and her son, Kana. This all-school production tells the story through beautiful and powerful mele (song), oli (chant), and hula (dance). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Make a Hū Kukui. 

In old Hawai‘i, children played many simple games now largely forgotten. Help revive the practice of making and playing the traditional Hawaiian top, known as hū kukui. Join park rangers and staff from the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association on Wednesday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai, and see whose hū kukui can spin the longest. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.

Jackie Pualani Johnson, as Queen Lili‘uokalani. Photo courtesy of Ku‘ehu Mauga

Lili‘uokalani at Washington Place.

Jackie Pualani Johnson performs an amazing, one-woman show taken directly from the writings of Queen Lili‘uokalani, the queen’s family, and other historical sources at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium on Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.

Hālau Nā Pua o Uluhaimālama.

Hālau Nā Pua O Uluhaimālama, from Hawai‘i Island, is dedicated to perpetuating the culture and the art of hula. Led by kumu hula Emery Aceret, a student of the revered kumu hula Ray Fonseca, the hālau has participated in many notable hula competitions, including the Merrie Monarch Festival. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Find Your Park on the Big Screen.

Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau is where ancient Hawaiian lawbreakers and defeated warriors once found sanctuary. Today, the park provides a sanctuary for Hawaiian culture. Hawai‘i Volcanoes invites everyone to watch two films that highlight Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park: John Grabowska’s 16-minute film Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau: Place of Refuge and Brad Watanabe’s 12-minute documentary HiStory: Hawai‘i Island’s National Parks. The films will play on Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. The Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park cultural festival is on June 25.

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day. 

Kids 17 and younger are invited to join park rangers for a fun day of discovery in the park’s Kahuku Unit. Participants will hike a new trail and learn to weave their own lei. Call 985-6019 to register and sign up for a free lunch by June 2. Bring water, a re-usable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, long pants, and shoes. Sponsored by the park, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, and Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ranger Dean shows visitors how to make tī leaf lei at Kīlauea Visitor Center. NPS Photo/David Boyle

Weave a Tī Leaf lei.  

Join park rangers and learn to weave a tī leaf lei on Wednesday, June 22 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.

Centennial Series After Dark in 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. Join Chief of Natural Resource Management Dr. Rhonda Loh to learn more about these Special Ecological Areas, or SEAs, and decades of successful restoration in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event takes place on Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. within the Kilauea Visitor Center.

The rare, endemic hibiscus, hau kuahiwi, in bloom in the special ecological area of Kīpukapuaulu (also known as “Bird Park.:) NPS Photo/J.Ferracane

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. Join Chief of Natural Resource Management Dr. Rhonda Loh to learn more about these Special Ecological Areas, or SEAs, and decades of successful restoration in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo. Sponsored by Mokupāpapa Discovery Center.

Centennial Hike: Kīpukapuaulu, the Park’s First Special Ecological Area.

Dr. Rhonda Loh leads an easy 1.2-mile hike through the park’s inaugural Special Ecological Area (SEA), Kīpukapuaulu. This forested area is considered a “hot spot” of biological diversity, with more native tree species per acre than any other forest in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The essence of this treasured habitat is captured in its name: kīpuka (island of ancient vegetation surrounded by a sea of younger lava flows), pua (flower), and ulu (growing)—a fertile oasis of flourishing plants. Sturdy footwear, water, light raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. The hike is on Saturday, July 2 and lasts about two hours. It begins at 9:30 and participants should meet at the Kīpukapuaulu trailhead.