As we bid aloha to a most eventful 2018, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture, After Dark in the Park talks and other programs throughout January 2019 – which is Volcano Awareness Month.
Many of the park’s guided hikes and programs, such as “Life on the Edge,” treks to the Mauna Ulu fissure site, “How It All Started” and more, continue at no charge. Check the park’s online calendar of events (https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm), and look for program fliers posted after 9:30 a.m. on the bulletin board at Kilauea Visitor Center.
The park is open 24 hours a day. Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
Stewardship of Kipukapuaulu
Help remove troublesome plants at Kipukapuaulu, home to diverse native forest and understory plants. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting permanently stained from morning glory sap. Be prepared for cool and wet or hot and sunny weather. New volunteer? Contact Marilyn Nicholson for more info at nickem@hawaii.rr.com.
When: 9:30 a.m. every Thursday (Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31)
Where: Meet at the Kipukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the park.
Stewardship at the Summit
Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Younger than 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Visit the park website for additional planning details (https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm).
When: Meet at 8:45 a.m. Jan. 5, 11, 18 and 26.
Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kilauea Visitor Center on any of the above dates.
A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar
Walk back to 1912 and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kilauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘u actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Jaggar will take you on a tour of his tiny lab located below Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. You’ll learn what motivated Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes and how his work helps save lives today. Space is limited; pick up your free ticket at the Kilauea Visitor Center front desk the day of the program. Supported by the Kilauea Drama Entertainment Network.
When: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Each performance is about an hour.
Where: Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center.
Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption
Kilauea Volcano’s long-lasting East Rift Zone eruption changed abruptly when the Pu‘u ‘O‘o crater floor collapsed April 30, followed by an intrusion of magma downrift. On May 3, lava erupted in the Leilani Estates subdivision; within two weeks, 24 fissures had opened along a 4.2-mile-long segment of the lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 soon became the dominant vent, erupting a fast-moving channelized lava flow that reached the ocean, burying 13.7 square miles of land and destroying more than 700 structures along the way. Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta as she recounts the progression of this dramatic eruption and shares her experiences monitoring it. Part of the ongoing After Dark in the Park series, in partnership with Volcano Awareness Month.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 8
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
Lau hala weaving demonstration
Learn to weave lau hala with leaves (lau) from the ‘Aha Puhala o Puna weaving club. Hawaiians have used the hala (pandanus) tree for centuries to create many useful and beautiful items. Come create and take home your own small piece of lau hala art. Part of ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 9
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai
Composer and artist-in-residence Glenn McClure performance
Glenn McClure, composer, educator and data scientist, will perform music and discuss harmonizing the voices of the island — scientists, local musicians and the volcanic environment of the national park — into his art. During the residency, McClure will share his creative process through blogs, videos and more at www.artforbrains.com. Sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
When: 6-7 p.m. Jan. 11
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
New Insights from Kilauea’s 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption
The May-August lower East Rift Zone eruption resulted in numerous new insights into how Kilauea Volcano works and provided scientists new opportunities to improve their understanding of volcanic hazards. Matt Patrick, a geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the expected and unexpected aspects of the eruption and discusses how the activity might be used to improve his and other scientists’ ability to forecast future hazards on Kilauea. Part of the ongoing After Dark in the Park series, in partnership with Volcano Awareness Month.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 15
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
Fee-free day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
All fee-charging national parks (including Hawaii Volcanoes, Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and Haleakala National Park) are free for the day. For a complete list of fee-free dates in 2019, visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm.
When: Jan. 21
Where: All fee-charging national parks in the U.S.
What Happened at the Summit of Kīlauea in 2018?
In early May, as the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u dropped, concern grew that explosive eruptions at the summit of Kilauea, like those in 1924, could occur. Some explosions did occur, sending plumes of ash high into the air. But what followed was even more dramatic: the largest summit collapse since at least 1800, accompanied by thousands of earthquakes that caused extensive damage to HVO’s building and national park infrastructure. Along with colleagues, USGS geophysicist Kyle Anderson closely monitored the summit activity as it unfolded, creating models to understand what was happening — and what might happen next. Join Anderson as he talks about the extraordinary events that took place at Kilauea’s summit this summer and how those events helped scientists better understand Kilauea and other volcanoes around the world. Part of the ongoing After Dark in the Park series, in partnership with Volcano Awareness Month.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 22
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
Lei-making demonstration
Lei making is a skill and art enjoyed in Hawaii for countless generations. Lei were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, feathers and even from the bones or teeth of various animals. Join park rangers and Hawaii Pacific Parks Association staff as they share their knowledge and help you make your own lei. Part of ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 23
Where: Kilauea Visitor Center lanai