Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in December. All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, and a $2 donation helps support park programs. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in December. All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, and a $2 donation helps support park programs. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events:
— Carl Ray Villaverde in concert. Multi-talented musician and Hilo native Carl Ray Villaverde has returned to Hawaii Island! Come welcome Villaverde home, and listen to him perform in this rare concert opportunity. After spending more than a decade on the mainland teaching ukulele and guitar at Santa Barbara City College and performing throughout California, Villaverde returns to the islands with his new CD, Hawaiian Magic, on sale at the show.
Villaverde’s show is part of the ongoing After Dark in the Park series It’s on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
— Learn lauhala weaving. Join members of ‘Aha Puhala o Puna as they share the art of lauhala weaving to perpetuate this Hawaiian skill. Weave your very own bracelet from leaves of the hala (pandanus) tree. Lauhala ornaments crafted by the club will be available for sale. Part of the ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. It will be on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai.
— John Keawe Live in concert. Award-winning kiho‘alu (slack key) guitarist, composer and recording artist, John Keawe rings in the holidays at the visitor center auditorium with his music. His wife, Hope, provides moving interpretations of his music with her graceful hula.
This program is expected to be well-attended, so come early for seating. Keawe’s CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase the evening of the performance. This program is produced by the University of Hawaii. It will be Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.
— Haku Mele Ho‘ike. Come enjoy an evening of new, original Hawaiian music by local island songwriters. Participants attended a three-day Haku Mele, a Hawaiian music songwriter’s workshop, with music great Kenneth Makuakane and UH-Hilo Hawaiian language instructor Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. Original Hawaiian compositions were created through experiential and interactive presentations and small group sessions in songwriting.
Students will debut their original songs written in class, and Makuakane will emcee and perform. It’s part of the ongoing Na Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the visitor center auditorium.