Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s annual Cultural Festival, normally scheduled the first Saturday in July for nearly 40 years, will instead be conducted virtually Sunday through Saturday, July 5-11, on social media because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited to share Hawaiian culture by adapting one of our most cherished park events so everyone can participate virtually and safely on our official Facebook page,” said park ranger Kekoa Rosehill.
True to the festival’s legacy, Hawaiian culture will be shared with a wide audience free of charge. But instead of gathering the community and visitors together in person, the park will share short videos and other mana‘o (knowledge) about Hawaiian culture virtually. Visit https://www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps/ to participate.
Mark your calendar to join the park and #FindYourVirtualPark during the festival.
Opening ‘Oli Komo
Park staff and ohana blow the pu (conch shell) and chant the ‘Oli Komo together, requesting permission to begin the Virtual Cultural Festival. The ‘Oli Komo, which expresses the intent to learn and do good, was gifted to the park by Kepa Maly. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates.
Date: Sunday, July 5
Time: 8:08 a.m. post time, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Mo‘olelo &Places
Learn the mo‘olelo (stories) of Pele the volcano goddess; Kamapua‘a, the pig demigod; and others on the park’s new web page. The park is launching the new “Places page,” which shares mana‘o about the wahi pana (sacred places) protected within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including Uekahuna, the sacred bluff near Jaggar Museum.
Date: Monday, July 6
Time: 8:08 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Learn to Make a Ti Leaf Lei with Ranger Leilani
Learn how to select ti leaves, prepare them for lei making and how to twist them into a beautiful and easy-to-make garland. Ranger Leilani Rodrigues of the Kahuku Unit shows you how.
Date: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 8:08 a.m. post time, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Facebook Watch Party for the documentary “Saving ‘Ohi‘a”
Grab lunch and join us for a free screening of the Emmy-award winning 28-minute documentary “Saving ‘Ohi‘a.” This 2018 film explains the significance of the ‘ohi‘a tree to the people of Hawaii and environment, and the threat that rapid ‘ohi‘a death poses to these values. Park ecologist David Benitez, park botanist Sierra McDaniel and filmmaker Annie Sullivan will answer questions in real time in the comments. The documentary was filmed partially in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Date: Wednesday, July 8
Time: Noon
Hawaiian Lua (Martial Arts) with Ranger Michael &Ranger Olivia
Bone-breaking maneuvers and war clubs encircled with tiger shark teeth are probably not the first things to come to mind when you picture the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian fighting style of lua is a formidable art form that requires skill, specific movement and a host of deadly weapons. Rangers Michael Newman and Olivia Crabtree demonstrate this traditional fighting style.
Date: Thursday, July 9
Time: 8:08 a.m. post time, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Learn to Make a Pulumi Ni‘au with Ranger Dean
Get swept up in gathering plant materials and learn to make a pulumi ni‘au, or authentic Hawaiian broom, with Ranger Dean Gallagher.
Date: Friday, July 10
Time: 8:08 a.m. post time, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Closing ‘Oli Mahalo
Park staff and ohana blow the pu and chant the ‘Oli Mahalo together, requesting departure to close the Virtual Cultural Festival. Gifted to the park by Kepa Maly, the ‘Oli Mahalo expresses gratitude. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates.
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 8:08 a.m. post time, but the content will be available any time afterwards
Although the videos debut each day at 8:08 a.m., except the noon watch party for “Saving ‘Ohi‘a” on July 8, the Virtual Cultural Festival content will be available on Facebook at any time.
Many areas in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that provide outdoor experiences such as hiking trails, overlooks and roads are now open to the public, but services are limited. Visit the “Current Conditions” page on the park website for a complete list of what’s open and how to prepare for a safe trip the park.