News Release

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park April 2018 Events

Learn how to play konane, a Hawaiian version of checkers, during the Merrie Monarch Festival week at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

News Release Date: March 15, 2018

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park welcomes April visitors with a flurry of opportunities to celebrate the 55th annual Merrie Monarch Festival, and National Park Week. 

Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply. Many programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Mark the calendar for these upcoming events, and download event flyers from the park website.  

Tuesday’s Special Merrie Monarch Festival Events. Join us as we celebrate and honor Hawaiian culture and the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival, the annual hula competition of Hilo. Practitioners on Tuesday will share ‘ahu lai (tī leaf cape making); ko‘i (Hawaiian axe demonstration); and kā makau (learn to make a Hawaiian fishhook. Enjoy live Hawaiian, Blues and Country music blends by Jennie & Kanoa. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Tues., April 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Join the park's Living History program and walk back to 1912 to meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, as portrayed by Ka‘ū actor/director, Dick Hershberger.

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar. Walk back to 1912, and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar will take you on a tour of his tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. You’ll learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes, and how his work helps save lives today. Supported by the Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network (KDEN). Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: April 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Each performance is about an hour.
Where: Meet at the Kīlauea Visitor Center

The 1942 tsunami that devastated Hilo was triggered by an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands

Photo: NOAA

How the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Works. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) provides tsunami warnings for Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, plus threat advice for countries throughout the Pacific and Caribbean. For local warnings, PTWC does this within minutes after an earthquake. For distant tsunamis, information is issued within seven minutes. How? Dr. Nathan Becker, Senior Oceanographer, describes PTWC operations. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Tues., April 3 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

The park will offer numerous Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and musical performances during Merrie Monarch Week, including live music by Kenneth Makuakāne on April 5.

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Wednesday’s Special Merrie Monarch Festival Events. Join us as we celebrate and honor Hawaiian culture and the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival, the annual hula competition of Hilo. Practitioners on Wednesday will share demonstrations on ulana niu (coconut leaf weaving), ‘upena ho‘olei (throwing net) and nā pa‘ahana hula (hula implements). Enjoy live Hawaiian contemporary music by Ti “Kawehi” Chun and Pōki‘i Seto. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Wed., April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Thursday’s Special Merrie Monarch Festival Events. Join us as we celebrate and honor Hawaiian culture and the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival, the annual hula competition of Hilo. Practitioners on Thursday will share demonstrations on kapa (traditional Hawaiian bark cloth), konane (Hawaiian checkers), and nā lei (lei making). Enjoy live Hawaiian music by Kenneth Makuakāne. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Thurs., April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Volunteer to remove invasive morning glory vine from native forest in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

NPS Photo/Michael Szoenyi

Volunteer at Kīpukapuaulu. Help remove invasive plants at Kīpukapuaulu, home to an astonishing diversity of 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: [e-mail].
When: Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (April 5, 12, 19, 26)
Where: Meet at the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the park

Restoring native rainforest: Stewardship at the Summit

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Stewardship at the Summit. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Visit the park website for additional planning details.
When: April 7, 13, 21 (a fee-free day & National Volunteer Day), and 27 at 8:45 a.m.
Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center on any of the above dates

Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ahupua‘a

Photo credit: Elliott Parsons

Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ahupua‘a: Successes & Challenges of Restoring Endangered Dry Forests of Kona. Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Coordinator Elliott Parsons from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife will discuss ongoing conservation efforts and lessons learned. He will discuss threats to the endangered lowland dry forests and how new technology is being used to mitigate those threats. Learn more about the area’s rich biological diversity and how you can help conserve Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a for future generations. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Tues., April 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Lauhala weaving

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Lau Hala Demonstration. Learn to weave lau hala with practitioners from ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna. For centuries, Hawaiians have woven lau (leaves) from the hala (pandanus) tree into many useful and beautiful items. Come create and take home your own small piece of lau hala art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Wed., April 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Using tī leave to make a sled!

NPS Photo

He‘e Hōlua Kī (Tī Leaf Sled). Join rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and race down Pu‘u o Lokuana hill in Kahuku using he‘e hōlua kī (tī-leaf sled). Speed and agility are needed for this traditional Hawaiian game. Come test your courage and will! The Kahuku Unit is a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance. Enter Kahuku near mile marker 70.5 on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (no entrance fees at Kahuku).
When: Fri., April 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Kahuku Unit

Ranger Jamie leads a hike from Kīlauea Visitor Center to Sulphur Banks

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

National Park Week & a Fee-Free Saturday! Come celebrate National Park Week at your national parks. This year’s theme is “Park Stars,” and Hawai‘i Volcanoes is planning a star-studded line-up of events, including a nighttime star party, guided hikes that reveal our “star” trails, ranger-led adventures, Kahuku programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. Stay tuned for more details.
When: Sat., April 21 (fee-free date) through Sun., April 29
Where: All fee-charging national parks are free, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Kona, and Haleakalā National Park on Maui

‘Ōhi‘a tree infected with Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death fungus

Photo credit: J.B. Friday

Getting a Handle on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Rapid ‘Ōhia Death (ROD) is a threat to ‘ōhi‘a forests island wide, including many heavily visited areas in the park. Scientists working on the disease have now learned a lot about the fungus, how it spreads to new areas, and how it might be treated. J.B. Friday, extension forester with the University of Hawai‘i, will share the current understanding of ROD, how affected forests are being managed, and what you can do to avoid spreading the disease. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free (park entrance fees apply).
When: Tues., April 24 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Learning to make kāhili

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Kāhili Demonstration. Create your own small kāhili pa‘a lima, a hand-held feather standard. Kāhili are a form of Hawaiian featherwork that traditionally acknowledged a person’s status and genealogy, and offered spiritual protection. They are beautiful examples of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free (entrance fees apply).
When: Wed., April 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

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