News Release

Nearly 1,000 participate in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Cultural Festival

Keiki perform hula at the 39th annual cultural festival Saturday, July 22, 2023

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 24, 2023

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawai‘i – Locals, keiki, kūpuna and visitors all came to the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in Kaʻū on Saturday to listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula, try Hawaiian crafts and practices and learn about native plants and animals. 

Good weather brought sunshine, a welcome cloud cover at times and a light breeze that kept everyone cool during Saturday’s festival which started at 10 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. In attendance were 985 people, many of whom made lauhala bracelets, or twisted a lei from tī leaves, played Hawaiian games and enjoyed ono kine grindz on the festival grounds with their loved ones. 

“Kahuku is a place of tranquil natural beauty and rich history that most visitors and even locals don’t know about,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “It was heartwarming to see old friends and new faces. Mahalo to everyone who spent their day with us, and especially to our park staff, volunteers and partners who worked hard to make the cultural festival happen.” 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park sends a heartfelt mahalo to all the performers, including Debbie Ryder’s Hālau o Leionalani, Keaīwa, Kenneth Makuakāne, the Kīpapa Sisters, Russell Mauga and Da Kahuku Mauka Boyz, and LoriLei’s Hula Studio for their outstanding performances.  

In addition, a warm mahalo goes to the Kaʻū Multicultural Society, Momi Subiono  ʻAha Pūhala o Puna, 4 Scoops of Aloha, and the Hawaiian Civic Club, Birds Not Mosquitoes, and UH Mānoa. 

Another special mahalo to park’s non-profit partners, the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (who gave away more than 600 ice shave minis), and to the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Assocation. Both partners co-sponsored the successful festival. 
 

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