Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016 and continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the public in October.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016 and continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the public in October.
All After Dark and Hawaiian cultural programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. In addition, two artists-in-residence arrive for their October residency, sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation.
Mark the calendar for these upcoming events:
Centennial Hike: Hawaiian Adze Production — Lithic Block Quarries on Kilauea
Join Park Ranger Jay Robinson on an easy hourlong hike to the abandoned adze quarry at Kilauea Overlook. Most visitors have no idea this area was showered by large basalt rocks erupted from Kilauea during its summit eruptions of 1790, or that Hawaiians coveted the rocks for stone tools (adze). Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Meet at Kilauea Overlook
‘Lili‘uokalani at Washington Place’
Jackie Pualani Johnson performs an amazing, one-woman show about Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. Lili‘uokalani was imprisoned for a year at ‘Iolani Palace after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, where she composed the poignant song “Aloha ‘Oe” and translated “Kumulipo,” the Hawaiian creation chant, into English. Johnson’s performance emphasizes the relationship with her hanai children and is taken directly from the writings of Lili‘uokalani, the queen’s family and other historical sources. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 4
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
Na Pa‘ahana Hula (Tools of Hula)
Learn about the beautiful implements that accompany traditional hula and oli (chant). Pele Kaio, kumu hula for Unulau and an instructor at Hawaii Community College, displays and describes the importance of uli uli (feathered rattles), pahu (drum), ipu heke (gourd) and other Hawaiian hula tools. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work) workshops. Free.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 5
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lānai
Hawaii Nei Art Adventure: Palm Trail Hike
The featured category for this year’s Hawaii Nei art contest are the national parks of Hawaii Island to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service. Come get inspired on Kahuku’s Palm Trail. This ranger-led hike across the 1868 lava flow reveals the pioneer plants that thrive on new flows, and more diverse and established flora in areas with deeper soil. The hike is moderately difficult, 2.5 miles round trip and will take two to three hours. Carpooling is encouraged. Space is limited; register by Oct. 5 at www.hawaiineiartcontest.org. Free.
When: 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8
Where: Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5
Kahuku ‘Ohana Day
Calling all keiki 17 and younger and their families to help the park’s natural resources staff restore native forest by planting native trees in the Kahuku Unit in Ka‘u. Call 985-6019 to register by Monday. Bring lunch, snacks, water, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, long pants and shoes. Sponsored by the park and the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5 and meet near the parking area. Free.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 15
Where: Kahuku Unit
Bert Naihe in Concert
Hawaiian musician and singer Bert Naihe will perform songs from his own CD, “You’re the One,” and catchy versions of other favorite tunes. Naihe, who was born and raised in Hilo, is also a musician for Halau o ka Ua Kanileua with kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing Na Leo Manu (Heavenly Voices) presentations. Free.
When: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 19
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
LiDAR Sheds New Light on Hidden Gems
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is used to digitize archaeological resources including ancient footprints, petroglyph fields and agricultural systems. Join park archaeologist Dusten Robbins to learn how the park uses LiDAR in managing cultural resources, and future uses of this exciting technology. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ After Dark in the Park program.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 25
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
(Robbins’ presentation also will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Mokupapapa Discovery Center, 76 Kamehameha Ave. in downtown Hilo)
Ulana Niu (Coconut Leaf Plaiting)
Join park rangers and learn to make fun and creative trinkets out of coconut leaves to take home. Park rangers and staff from the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association share their knowledge of this beloved Polynesian tradition. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work) workshops. Free.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 26
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
Centennial Hike: LiDAR Sheds New Light on Hidden Gems
Join park rangers on a moderate, 2 1/2-mile round-trip hike into the Ka‘u Desert and learn how LiDAR has helped rescript the history surrounding the ancient footprints embedded in this landscape. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended. About two hours.
When: 1 p.m. Oct. 29
Where: Meet at the Ka‘u Desert Trailhead
Artists in Residence Programs for October
Composer, jazz musician and ukulele virtuoso Byron Yasui and accomplished painter and cellist Noreen Naughton are the park’s artists in residence for October. Join the artists for these upcoming free events, which include public workshops, an After Dark in the Park presentation and an open-house studio.
‘Ukulele: A Brief History and a Sampling of Playing Styles
Yasui shares the various ukulele styles he grew up with as a living history interpretation of the instrument’s varied history. This class is for players of moderate to advanced level and could also inspire composers and arrangers in the areas of playing techniques, notation and tablature. Free, but registration is required. Call Laura Schuster at 985-6130 or email laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday
Where: Kilauea Theater at Kilauea Military Camp
Painting Workshop with Noreen Naughton
Naughton will talk about her process of discovering the subject and how she arrives at abstraction while painting out in the park. She also will discuss creative process and how it works for her. Free, but registration is required. Call Laura Schuster at 985-6130 or email laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 8 and 22
Where: ‘Ohi‘a Wing lobby, between Kilauea Visitor Center and the Volcano House
‘Ukulele Kani Ka Pila with Byron Yasui
Bring your ukulele to this workshop for players of all skill levels. The objective is to have fun and learn easy-to-finger chords as an accompaniment to singing simple songs. Free, but registration is required. Call Laura Schuster at 808-985-6130 or email laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 15
Where: Kilauea Theater at Kilauea Military Camp
After Dark in the Park with Artists in Residence Bryon Yasui and Noreen Naughton
The artists speak about the creative process and how Hawaii informs and inspires their different art forms. Yasui, a professor emeritus of theory and composition at the University of Hawaii, is a composer, jazz musician and ukulele aficionado. Naughton is a renowned painter, educator and cellist. Free.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 18
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
The artists’ residency begins today and ends Oct. 27. The residency is brought to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by the National Parks Arts Foundation. These residencies are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.