Stellar lineup set for 39th cultural festival at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Kahuku

The 39th annual Cultural Festival at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on July 22 will feature a stellar lineup of local musicians, hula hālau, Hawaiian games and crafts, local exhibitors and vendors.

Park Ranger Kekoa Rosehill will emcee the free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Kahuku. This year’s theme is E Ho‘omau (to continue).

Hawaiian and island-inspired music will be performed by Kenneth Makuakāne, Russell Mauga and Da Kahuku Mauka Boyz, the Kīpapa Sisters and Keʻaīwa.

There also will be hula by Hālau o Leionalani and LoriLei’s Hula Studio.

Learn about paniolo history at an exhibit hosted by the Kaʻū Multicultural Society, throw a rope with the local 4H Club, and expand your knowledge about Hawaiian medicinal plants with Momi Subiono.

Make a tī leaf lei, ulana (weave) a lauhala keepsake with nā wahine of ʻAha Pūhala o Puna, and test your skills at a variety of pāʻani (Hawaiian games) led by park rangers.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase or pack a picnic. Vendors include Hawaiian food truck 4 Scoops of Aloha, and the Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū will sell lunch plates.

The Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will give away free ice shave minis and will sell the official 2023 festival T-shirt.

The Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association’s park store will be open in the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.

Participants can learn more about local conservation and sustainability efforts at exhibit tents sponsored by organizations that include Birds Not Mosquitoes, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) and the Hawaiʻi Ulu Co-Op. Park staff will lead short walks to the Kaʻū agricultural field system.

The family-friendly festival is a drug- and alcohol-free event. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended. Bring water, rain jacket and ground mat or chair.

The cultural festival is co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.

Kahuku is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5 in Kaʻū , a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance.