September Hawaiian Cultural & After Dark in the Park Events

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park will continue to share its Hawaiian Culture and After Dark in the Park programs throughout the month of September.

Admission to the culture and after dark programs are free, but park entrance fees apply.

Hawaiian Music Concert by Kūpaoa

Kellen and Līhau Paik, a husband-and-wife duo, will perform on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium. The duo has performed as Kūpaoa for about a decade. Through the years, they have been honored with multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for their four CD releases, including Most Promising Artist in 2009, Best Liner Notes in 2010, Island Music Album of the Year in 2014, and Best Hawaiian Language Performance in 2014. As lifelong students of Hawaiian language, they enjoy composing and performing their own original songs, in addition to the time-honored favorites loved by all. The performance is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ Nā Leo Manu, “Heavenly Voices” performances.

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day: Hū Kukui

Children of all ages and their families are invited to learn how to make their own hū kukui, or Hawaiian top, with native kukui nuts. Park rangers will demonstrate this popular Hawaiian pastime, and then keiki can compete to see whose top spins best. The Kahuku ‘Ohana Day Hū Kukui program is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 19, but the deadline to register is Sept. 3. A free lunch will be provided for children. Water, sunscreen, a hat, and long pants are all suggested items to bring. The program is sponsored by Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i Parks Association, and Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center. To register, call 985-6019.

Keiki learn ‘ohe kāpala at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo/Jay Robinson.

‘Ohe Kāpala

Learn to craft beautiful designs on a bamboo stamp to embellish cloth on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai. Join park rangers, who will share the traditional art of ‘ohe kāpala, known as bamboo stamping. This event is part of HVNP’s ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.

Fee-Free Day for National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States, and all fee-charging national parks offer free entry.  Many parks and public lands across the nation organize stewardship projects and special programs on NPLD to raise awareness about why it is important to protect our public lands. Check the HVNP events page as Sept. 26 nears to see what volunteer opportunities are available at the park.

Bark slash of an ʻōhiʻa tree showing tangential view of dark staining of sapwood from ​​Ceratocystis​ ​infection. Courtesy of Univeristy of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture​ ​and Human Resources.

Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death: A House on Fire

Learn about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death at HVNP, part of HVNP’s ongoing After Dark in the Park series, on Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is a disease caused by a fungus known as Ceratocytis fimbriata. In 2012, it killed ʻōhiʻa trees across about 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres.) By the summer of 2014, that number had swelled to over 6,000 hectares. The disease remains isolated on the island of Hawaiʻi, and researchers have yet to determine the origin of this virulent strain. Join research plant pathologist Lisa Keith of the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Flint Hughes, Research Ecologist with United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, and J.B. Friday, University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for an update on this new threat to the native forests of Hawai‘i.