Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in June. All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events at Kilauea Visitor Center:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in June. All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events at Kilauea Visitor Center:
• “Kapo‘eno‘ono‘o: Early Native Hawaiian Scholars.” The works of David Malo, John Papa ‘I‘i, Samuela Kamakau, Kepelino and S.N. Hale‘ole provide insight on the history, cultural practices, literature and genealogies of pre-contact Hawaii. Former park archivist Helen Wong Smith specializes in Hawaiian archival material, and serves on the Council of the Society of American Archivists as the first archivist from Hawaii since 1968. She will explain how these men straddled two cultures, how their efforts provide us with unadulterated knowledge of wa kaiko (ancient times), and how can we access their publications in the digital era. Her talk will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
• From 10 a.m.12 p.m. on the center lanai Wednesday, June 11, join kumu hula Mamo Brown as she demonstrates three different lei styles: wili, hipu‘u, and hilo, using backyard foliage. If you want to see what you can make from your backyard, pick and bring some with you to this demonstration. This class is part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free. When: Wed., June 11, Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
• From 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, in the auditorium, enjoy an evening of hula with Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, under the direction of kumu hula Mamo Brown. A lifelong resident of Hilo, Brown was formally trained by Nalani Kanaka‘ole and Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele of Halau o Kekuhi in the ‘ai ha‘a, or low bombastic, style of hula. After her uniki (graduation), she started her own halau and is carrying on this traditional form of hula.
• From 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, enjoy Carl Ray Villaverde in concert in the auditorium. The multi-talented musician and Hilo native has returned to Hawaii Island after spending more than a decade on the mainland teaching ukulele and guitar at Santa Barbara City College and performing throughout California. He returns to the islands with his new CD, “Hawaiian Magic,” which will be for sale at the show.
• From 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, June 25, on the lanai, join Oral Abihai as he shares his passion for making ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood. Learning only several years ago in Lahaina from Kenny Potts, he has since made more than 50 ukulele.
Find posters of these events online: http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/events.htm.