August will be a festive month at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, beginning with Aug. 1, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of HVNP, and Aug. 25, the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service itself.
August will be a festive month at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, beginning with Aug. 1, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of HVNP, and Aug. 25, the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service itself.
Come celebrate and “Find Your Park” all month long with five fee-free dates, a native plant giveaway, the annual Cultural Festival and BioBlitz, and many other special centennial events. Mark your calendars:
Happy 100th Birthday HVNP
Entrance is free, the park’s gift to visitors as it enters its 100th year Aug. 1. Join park rangers, staff, volunteers and partners at the Kilauea Visitor Center at 9 a.m. for Hawaiian music by Kenneth Makuakane, and “lava cookies” donated by KTA Superstores, also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Hawaii Island Hawksbill Turtle Project team will share its latest discoveries about endangered honu‘ea, and the first 100 visitors will receive a free Hawaii Volcanoes National Park centennial window cling sticker from rangers at the entrance station.
When: Monday, Aug. 1, fee-free all day; cookies and music at 9 a.m.; cultural demos and turtle program from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
Taking Root in the Community
As a gift to the community, the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will give away 100 native seedlings each of koa and mamaki trees to Big Island residents who want to give them a good home. The Friends also will provide information on native reforestation efforts. Part of the park’s purpose is to preserve native ecosystems for future generations to enjoy, and everyone can help. Plant a native tree to mark 100 years of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and watch the future grow.
When: Monday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. until plants run out
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
Artist-in-Residence Open Studio Returns
Master of Hawaiian featherwork Rick Makanaaloha Kia‘imeaokekanaka San Nicolas returns for his third year and invites visitors to join him in his open studio throughout the month. His featherwork replicates the work of ancient Hawaiian masters whose finely crafted regalia were worn by Hawaiian royalty and warriors. Supported by the nonprofit National Parks Arts Foundation.
When: 10 a.m-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 3-31
Where: 1932 Administration Building (also called the ‘Ohi‘a Wing, located between Kilauea Visitor Center and the Volcano House).
Find Your Park on the Big Screen
Haleakala on Maui and Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on Hawaii Island were once the same park: Hawaii National Park. Discover Haleakala National Park in the 51-minute film, “Haleakala: House of the Sun.” Meet the dedicated rangers who share their knowledge and respect for Haleakala National Park (established in 1961), its natural treasures and the deep connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated here.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 5
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
Artist-in-Residence After Dark
Master of Hawaiian featherwork Rick Makanaaloha Kia‘imeaokekanaka San Nicolaswill provide a public exhibit and lecture about his artwork, his inspiration from the sacred volcanoes, native birds and the history and culture of Hawaii. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 9
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
La‘au Lapa‘au: Hawaiian Herbal Medicine
Discover the healing properties of Hawaiian plants with Momi Subiono, who introduces their traditional medicinal uses. Subiono creates natural herb products to help the Hawaiian community, with a goal to create a renewed awareness, understanding and use of traditional Hawaiian plants for healing. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work) workshops. Free.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 10
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
Establishment of Hawaii National Park
Park archaeologist Jadelyn Moniz-Nakamura shares the story of the development of Hawaii National Park, and presents a fascinating look at the extraordinary individuals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who were key in creating the national park that then included the summits of Kilauea and Haleakala on Maui. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 16
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
Centennial Hike: Walk into the Past at Volcano House
Take an easy walk with a park ranger to the historic Volcano House and learn about the significant role this iconic lodge perched on the edge of Kilauea caldera played in shaping park’s early history. About an hour.
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 20
Where: Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center
Kahuku ‘Ohana Day
Calling keiki 17 and younger to help park rangers restore the native forest by collecting and sorting new seeds in the park’s Kahuku Unit in Ka‘u. Call 985-6019 to register by Aug. 5. 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. Aug. 20
Where: Kahuku Unit
Oasis in a Desert Sea: Resident Whales and Dolphins of Hawaii
Join Robin Baird, author and research biologist with Cascadia Research Collective, as he presents an amazing look into the lives of the resident toothed whales and dolphins of Hawaii. Baird and his colleagues have spent the past 17 years using photo-identification genetics and satellite tagging to present the clearest picture yet of these often misunderstood native mammals. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 23
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
Four Fee-Free Dates for Founders Day
The National Park Service turns 100 on Aug. 25 and is giving the public four days to celebrate for free. Visit www.findyourpark.com for parks near you.
When: Aug. 25-28
Where: All 412 national parks across America
Na Leo Manu Hawaiian Concert Series
Hawaiian music, hula and ‘oli (chant) open the fee-free NPS centennial weekend. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kilauea Military Camp and kick off the park’s 36th annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival & BioBlitz. At 6 p.m., Kumu hula Manaiakalani Kalua and his halau perform, followed by Kenneth Makuakane and his beautiful mele (songs). Singer and songwriter Mark Yamanaka caps off the evening with his original and classic Hawaiian songs until 9 p.m. In addition, the new “Mele Ho‘oheno: Songs of Kilauea and Mauna Loa” CD will be released and available for sale. This CD of original Hawaiian songs was created by participants of the Haku Mele Hawaiian songwriting workshops in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this summer under the guidance of Makuakane and Kaliko Trapp-Beamer. Part of Hawaii Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu (Heavenly Voices) presentations. Free.
When: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 26
Where: Kilauea Military Camp’s Kilauea Theater
36th Annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival and BioBlitz
Themed E Ho‘omau (to perpetuate; to continue in a way that causes good to be long-lasting), the 36th annual Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian Cultural Festival invites people of all ages to engage in authentic Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how native Hawaiians lived closely to the land as its stewards. This year’s festival again will include a BioBlitz, a fun and hands-on opportunity to join scientists and cultural practitioners, and discover the biodiversity that thrives in the park. Free.
When: Aug. 27 (Cultural Festival 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; BioBlitz 7 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Where: Pa Hula near Kilauea Visitor Center