Hawai‘i Volcanoes offers free family events for National Park Week, April 22-30

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is holding a fee-free day and a family-fun “Journey at the Summit” event on April 22.

Itʻs part of the annual National Park Week celebration, which runs April 22 to 30. All events are free, but entrance fees may apply, except for April 22.

Some programs are sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Programs are subject to change or be canceled without notice.

The National Park Week events:

National Park Week “Journey at the Summit” free family event: Families are invited on an exciting role-playing quest and will receive an adventure pack with directions to activity stations located in the park. Roll the dice at each adventure station to learn what your family’s quest will entail. Stations are located within a half mile of Kīlauea Visitor Center and at Kahuku. Once the quests are complete, return to the welcome tent to claim a prize.
When: April 22. Anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 
Where: Welcome tents will be located at Kīlauea Visitor Center and at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station

The Kaʻū field system farming the rock. Walk along an old ranch road to the remnants of the field system in Kahuku. Learn how pre-western contact Hawaiians intensively farmed this area and fed the large population of Kahuku. This is an easy half-mile, 1-hour hike to Kipuka Kāʻopapa and back.
When: April 22 at 9:30 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station

Pu‘u o Lokuana cinder cone. It is an easy 45-minute to 1-hour hike. Walk the 0.4-mile loop and learn about how a cinder cone is formed and the various uses of this hill over time. Enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū from its peak. Why is (and was) it considered a kumu waiwai (a source of wealth) by the many different inhabitants of Kahuku?
When: April 23 at 9:30 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station  

Movement patterns of the endemic ʻIo (Hawaiian Hawk). ʻIo, the only hawk endemic to Hawaiʻi, is considered a symbol of royalty in Hawaiian culture and remains protected today. Currently, ʻio are found only on the Island of Hawaiʻi. They can be found in many habitat types from urban environments to agricultural and forested landscapes. Wildlife biologist Dr. Kristina Paxton discusses exciting new research that reveals how ʻio move across their island home. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
When: April 25 at 7 p.m. 
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium

Hi‘iaka & Pele. Discover two fascinating Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele-honua-mea (Pele) and Hi‘iaka-i-ka-poli-o-pele, and the natural phenomena they represent. Visitors will experience the sisters through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this moderate 2-mile, 90-minute hike. 
When: April 29 at 9:30 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station

Bark ranger day. Don’t let sleeping dogs lie. Treat your furry friend to a long walk on Bark Ranger Day. The park will close Mauna Loa Road to vehicles on April 30 just so you can strut your mutt up and down this scenic shady road. Make sure to bag and remove your pup’s poo, keep your pet leashed and respect wildlife. Visit the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store at Kīlauea Visitor Center or at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, take the pledge, get the certificate and celebrate with some Bark Ranger bling.
When: April 30 from dawn to dusk 
Where: Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu

Realms and Divisions of Kahuku. Discover the classification system, the realms and the vertical and horizontal land divisions that have been used in Hawaiʻi for centuries. This is a moderately easy 1-mile, 90-minute hike on Kamakapaʻa Trail.
When: April 30 at 9:30 to 11 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Kahu1ku Visitor Contact Station  

Engage on Instagram and Facebook at @HawaiiVolcanoesNPS during National Park Week and share your special moments in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park by tagging @HawaiiVolcanoesNPS in your posts and using the hashtags #YourParkStory and #NationalParkWeek.

For other upcoming events, check the park calendar.