Attention educators and students nationwide! There are some great October events at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Get ready for a virtual journey into Hawaiian culture and nature this October. Explore Hawaiian traditions, restore rainforests, and join ranger-led hikes and After Dark in the Park programs. These events are all about learning and having fun in a stunning natural setting. Remember, while the events are free, entrance fees may apply, and some are sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Be sure to check the park calendar for the latest details on these exciting opportunities.
List of October Events at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Palaʻie (Loop and Ball) Demonstration
- Join park rangers and staff from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association to craft and play with palaʻie (loop and ball).
- Pre-contact Hawaiians had a treasure trove of unique games that are rarely seen today.
- Palaʻie is made from natural materials and offers endless, wholesome fun.
- Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s ongoing ‘Ike Hana Noʻeau (Experience the Skillful Work) Hawaiian cultural programs.
- Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
- Free, but park entrance fees apply.
- Date: Wednesday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Location: ʻŌhiʻa Wing (across Crater Rim Drive from Kīlauea Visitor Center).
Hawaiian Chant
- Connect with Hawai‘i’s rich heritage through oli (chant).
- Guided by Kekuhi Kailiʻikanakaoleohaililani of Hālau o Kekuhi.
- Passed down by her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole, her performances and guidance have touched thousands of lives.
- Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs.
- Co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
- Free, but park entrance fees apply.
- Date: Tuesday, October 17, at 7 p.m.
- Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.
Hālau Hula Kauluola Performance
- Enjoy a mesmerizing performance by Hālau Hula Kauluola of Keaukaha.
- Under the direction of Kumu Hula Noʻeau and Pōlanimakamae Kahakalau-Kalima.
- Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s ongoing Nā Leo Manu (Heavenly Voices) Hawaiian music and performance programs.
- Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.
- Free, but park entrance fees apply.
- Date: Wednesday, October 18, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Coffee Talk: The Restoration of Ka Hoʻomana Kahiko
- Dive into traditional Hawaiian spiritual practices with Kahakaʻio Ravenscraft.
- Learn about kaulana mahina, the celestial calendar.
- Kahakaiʻo dedicates his work to preserving ancestral traditions.
- Free!
- Date: Saturday, October 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.
Māmaki Tea, a Hawaiian Tradition
- Discover the unique māmaki plant and its health benefits, cherished by Native Hawaiians for centuries.
- Take a virtual tour of Ancient Valley Growers’ Wood Valley ranch.
- Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs.
- Co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
- Free, but park entrance fees apply.
- Date: Tuesday, October 24, at 7 p.m.
- Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Every Kid Outdoors Halloween Celebration
- Join the fun at Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station on the Saturday before Halloween.
- At Kīlauea, decorate park-themed masks, explore trails, and earn charms.
- At Kahuku, enjoy the third annual Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt.
- Get a treat bag provided by the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association.
- Costumes encouraged!
- If you have a fourth grader, park entrance is free!
- Just complete the online activity on www.everykidoutdoors.gov.
- Date: Saturday, October 28, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Locations: Kīlauea Visitor Center and Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.
Explore Kahuku
- Uncover the hidden gem of Kahuku Unit, open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Enjoy guided ranger programs and talks on weekends.
- Don’t forget sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack for hikes.
- Date: Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Location: Kahuku (located in Ka‘ū, about a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance, near mile marker 70.5 on the mauka side of Highway 11). Note: “mauka” in Hawai’i is used to describe on the mountainside of the road.
A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar
- Step back to 1939 and converse with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
- Actor Dick Hershberger brings this renowned geologist to life in period costume.
- Learn about Dr. Jaggar’s dedication to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes and its significance today.
- Space is limited; pick up a free ticket at the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai on the day of the program.
- Program subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
- Supported by Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network.
- Dates: Three Fridays: October
This above news story is based on a press release from the National Park Service, which was issued on September 8, 2023. You can read the original release here.
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