Hawaii Volcanoes National Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the public in June. The programs are free, but park entrance fees apply.
7 p.m. June 7 at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium: Kamehameha Schools Hawaii will present the Hawaiian language opera, Haupu, based on the legend of Hina and her son, Kana. This all-school production tells the story through mele, oli and hula. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
10 a.m. to noon June 8 on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai: Attendees will make and play hu kukui, the traditional Hawaiian top.
7 p.m. June 14 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium: Jackie Pualani Johnson performs a one-woman show taken directly from the writings of Queen Liliuokalani.
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium: Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama performs. Led by kumu hula Emery Aceret, the halau has participated in many notable hula competitions, including the Merrie Monarch Festival.
7 p.m. June 17 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium: Two films highlight Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. John Grabowska’s 16-minute film “Puuhonua o Honaunau: Place of Refuge” and Brad Watanabe’s 12-minute documentary “HiStory: Hawaii Island’s National Parks.”
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 18 at the park’s Kahuku Unit, keiki 17 years old and younger are invited join park rangers for Ohana Day. Participants will hike a new trail and learn to weave their own lei. Call 985-6019 by June 2 to register and sign up for a free lunch. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Free.
10 a.m. to noon June 22 on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai: Weave a ti leaf lei.
7 p.m. June 28 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium and 7 p.m. June 29 at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo: “The Evolution of Landscape Restoration at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.” Chief of Natural Resource Management Dr. Rhonda Loh talks about a systematic park-wide approach to managing species and habitats.
9:30 a.m. July 2 at Kipukapuaulu trailhead: Loh leads an easy 1.2-mile hike through the park’s inaugural Special Ecological Area, Kupukapuaulu. This forested area is considered a “hot spot” of biological diversity, with more native tree species per acre than any other forest in the park. Sturdy footwear, water, light raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. It will take about two hours.
