Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Announces March 2018 Events

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced its monthly lineup of events for March 2018, including After Dark in the Park talks, Hawaiian cultural activities and other programs. The park is also seeking help to save native rainforest through its volunteer stewardship opportunities. Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply.

Upcoming events are as follows:

Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu
Help remove invasive at Kīpukapuaulu, home to an astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and clothing suitable for dirty work. Be prepared for cool and wet or hot and sunny weather. New volunteer may contact Marilyn Nicholson for more info at [email protected].
When: Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29)
Where: Meet at the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the park.

Stewardship at the Summit
Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants are asked to wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Parent/guardian accompaniment or written consent is required for youth under 18 years of age. Visit the park website for additional planning details.
When: Mar. 3, 9, 16, 23 and 31, at 8:45 a.m.
Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center on any of the above dates.

The First Ten Years of Kīlauea Volcano’s Summit Eruption
Mar. 19, 2018, marks the 10th anniversary of the volcanic vent that opened within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick as he recounts the first 10 years of Kīlauea Volcano’s ongoing summit eruption, including an overview of what scientists have learned from it and the new techniques they use to monitor the lava lake and associated volcanic processes. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free to attend, park entrance fees apply.
When: Mar. 6 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar
Walk back to 1912 and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor and director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar will take you on a tour of his tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. You’ll learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes, and how his work helps save lives today. Learn more online. Free to attend; park entrance fees apply.
When: Mar. 6, 20 and 27, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Each performance runs about an hour.
Where: Meet at the Kīlauea Visitor Center.

Kaula (Hawaiian Cordage) Demonstration
Come and join Uncle Larry Kuamo‘o as he demonstrates how to make traditional cordage from native Hawaiian plants like hau and hala. Kaula making was a necessary skill for making tools, wa‘a (canoes), hale (homes) and much more. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free to attend, park entrance fees apply.
When: Wednesday, Mar. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai.

Pū‘ohe (Hawaiian Bamboo Trumpet) Demonstration
The pū‘ohe is a Hawaiian bamboo trumpet. It has a deep sound somewhat like a conch shell, and like other native instruments, pū‘ohe requires the special spirit breath to produce the proper sound. Rangers and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staff will help you make your own pū‘ohe. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free to attend; held in Kahuku. The Kahuku Unit is a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance, near mile marker 70.5 on Highway 11.
When: Friday, Mar. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit.

Tracking Lava Lakes with the Sounds from Bursting Gas Bubbles
Other volcanic systems around the word are similar to Kīlauea Volcano’s Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and Halema‘uma‘u craters. These churning lava lakes continuously emit gas bubbles that burst when they reach the surface. Volcano seismologist Greg Waite from Michigan Technological University uses the sounds of these bursting bubbles to investigate the rise and fall of lava lakes in volcanic conduits. Learn about his fascinating work with Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, Villarrica Volcano in Chile and Kīlauea. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free to attend. Park entrance fees apply.
When: Tuesday, Mar. 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Hū (Hawaiian Top) Demonstration
Early Hawaiians devoted much of their time to games, amusement and relaxing. Top-spinning was an absorbing activity for children, and making hū (kukui nut top) was equally engaging. Rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association will help you make your own hū. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free. Park entrance fees apply.
When: Wednesday, Mar. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai.

Count Humpback Whales for the “Sanctuary Ocean Count” at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Join us at Ka‘ena Point and count migratory humpback whales that swim by on Mar. 31. The Sanctuary Ocean Count is a signature outreach project hosted annually by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Ocean Count serves to promote public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary and shore-based whale watching opportunities in the Hawaiian Islands. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals’ surface behavior during the survey which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Attendees should bring sun protection, water, snacks and a cushion to sit on. Register online. Free to attend. Park entrance fees apply.
When: Saturday, Mar. 31, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Where: Ka‘ena Point, at the end of Chain of Craters Road.

Degassing lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. NPS Photo.

Actor Dick Hershberger portrays Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. NPS Photo.

Kaula (Hawaiian cordage) made from tī leaf. NPS Photo/Michael Szoenyi.

ū‘ohe, the Hawaiian trumpet. NPS Photo.

The summit lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, which has been active since March 19, 2008. USGS photo/Matt Patrick.

A volunteer removes invasive Himalayan ginger from native rainforest. NPS photo.

Volunteers at Ka‘ena Point count humpback whales. NPS Photo.