Schedule for Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ 37th Cultural Festival and BioBlitz

Hālau Hula Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū will perform at 10:15 a.m. at the annual Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival & BioBlitz. NPS photo/Jay Robinson.

The 37th annual Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival & BioBlitz is happening on Saturday, July 8, at Kīlauea Military Camp, featuring hula, music, Hawaiian cultural activities and hiking. Park entrance fees will be waived all day.

The festival will begin at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. At 10:15 a.m., dancers from Hālau Hula Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū will perform kahiko on the pā hula, under the direction of Kumu Hula Mamo Brown. Live music by entertainer Lito Arkangel will follow at 11:15 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., dancers from kupuna hālau, Haunani’s Aloha Expressions, will perform. Musician and songwriter Kenneth Makuakāne will continue with live music on the stage at 1:15 p.m. and at 2:15 p.m., Aunty Diana Aki, the “songbird of Miloli‘i,” will close the festival, emceed by Hoku Awong.

People interested in participating in the BioBlitz may register online at the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website. For additional activities, a “Tools of the Trade” discovery hike led by park archaeologists will explain how Hawaiians used lava rock to make stone tools.

All ages can participate in the featured cultural activities including ku‘i kalo (pounding poi), lomilomi (massage), ‘ohe kāpala (Hawaiian bamboo stamping) and Hawaiian makahiki games like haka moa (one-legged chicken wrestling). Hawaiian practitioners will teach about lā‘au lapa‘au (medicine from plants), kāhili making (feather standard), lei weaving and more.

All festival activities will happen on the grassy lawn and ball field area at Kīlauea Military Camp. Visitors are advised to wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring water, a rain jacket, ground mat and/or chair. Pets are not allowed. Lunch and beverages will be available for purchase.