Volcanoes Park Centennial Events for September

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues its 100th anniversary celebration through its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the public in September.

All ADIP and Hawaiian cultural programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events:

Conservation in Hawai‘i: A Living Legacy
When: Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Join Bryan Harry, former superintendent of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and founding member of the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance, will talk about the state of conservation in Hawai‘i and what it means for Hawai‘i to host the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2016. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.

Hawaiian ‘Ukulele Demonstration

When: Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Oral Abihai shares his passion for making ‘ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood. Learning only several years ago in Lahaina from Kenny Potts, he has since made more than 50 ‘ukulele. Oral currently lives on Hawai‘i Island, where he makes ‘ukulele by hand. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.
Hula Performance by Hālau Hula Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū. Kumu hula Mamo Brown is a lifelong resident of Hilo, and was formally trained by Nālani Kanaka‘ole and Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele of Hālau Kekuhi in the ‘ai ha‘a, or low bombastic style, of kahiko (traditional) hula. After her ‘ūniki (graduation), Mamo started her own hālau and carries on the kahiko tradition. She and her hālau have performed at the park’s annual Hawaiian cultural festival several times. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. Free.
When: Wed., Sept. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Centennial Series After Dark in the Park: Hawaiian Adze Production and Lithic Block Quarries on Kīlauea

When: Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Park Archeologist Caleb Houck shares his knowledge about the lithic block quarries on Kīlauea volcano. Learn how Hawaiians crafted finely grained basalt rock into adze (stone tools) following the 1790 summit eruptions, why these particular rocks were prized by Hawaiians and how archeologists discovered these abandoned quarries centuries later.

Make a Hawaiian Broom

When: Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Join park rangers and learn to make a useful pulumi nī‘au. Fashioned from the midribs of coconut leaves, pulumi nī‘au are a kind of broom used to keep houses tidy and clean. The coconut tree is an incredibly useful species utilized by people throughout the Pacific, and pulumi are just one example of its myriad uses. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.

Centennial Hike: Hawaiian Adze Production—Lithic Block Quarries on Kīlauea

When: Sat., Oct. 1, at 11 a.m.
Where: Meet at Kīlauea Overlook

Join Park Ranger Jay Robinson on an easy hour-long hike among the abandoned adze quarry at Kīlauea Overlook. Most visitors have no idea this area was showered by large basalt rocks erupted from Kīlauea during its summit eruptions of 1790, or that Hawaiians coveted the rocks for stone tools (adze). Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended.

Bryan Harry, former HVNP superintendent. NPS courtesy photo.

Large basalt boulder at Kīlauea Overlook. NPS courtesy photo.

Hālau Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū. NPS courtesy photo.

Oral Abihai. NPS courtesy photo.

Pulumi nī‘au. NPS courtesy photo.