The 43rd annual Hookuikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival scheduled Saturday and Sunday at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site has been canceled because of the heavy rain and wind forecast with the arrival of Hurricane Hilda.
The 43rd annual Hookuikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival scheduled Saturday and Sunday at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site has been canceled because of the heavy rain and wind forecast with the arrival of Hurricane Hilda.
The historic site is currently closed to the public as National Park Service archaeologists conduct surveys to assess any damage to cultural sites from a brush fire that burned more than 4,650 acres in Kawaihae. The archaeologists will work through Wednesday.
Superintendent Daniel Kawaiaea said the park will also be closed Thursday in preparation for Hurricane Hilda, and will reassess on Friday whether or not the park will open for the weekend.
The festival will not be rescheduled this year. Instead, the public is encouraged to save the date for next year’s festival, scheduled for Aug. 13 and 14, 2016. Next year also marks the 225th anniversary of the completion of the heiau in 1791, and the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service.
“We regret the inconvenience of having to close temporarily and for having to cancel the festival that so many enjoy,” said Superintendent Kawaiaea. “As always, our priority is the safety of park staff, our visitors, and the practitioners,” he said.
The site remains without Internet, and the headquarters area is without power and water.