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Kids made nēnē hats at last year's cultural festival at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park/NPS, Jay Robinson
Hawaii’s unique culture, history, and ecology will be celebrated at the 37th annual Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival and BioBlitz on July 8.
The all-ages festivities will include traditional music, hula, and Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, crafts, and games. The BioBlitz will be a chance to join scientists to discover the diversity and unique plants and animals of the park. The BioBlitz field inventories run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the cultural festival is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance to the park and all events are free. Lunch and beverages will be available for sale. No pets, alcohol, or drugs are allowed.
Hālau Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū will dance their powerful hula kāhiko, and kūpuna hula group Haunani’s Aloha Expressions also will take the stage. Renowned solo musicians Kenneth Makuakāne and Lito Arkangel will sing and play instruments, and the “Songbird of Miloli‘i,” Aunty Diana Aki, is set to close the festival.
The entire family can participate in authentic Hawaiian cultural activities like pounding poi, massage, Hawaiian bamboo stamping, play Hawaiian games, discover medicine from plants, make a small kāhili (feather standard), weave a lei, and more. All festival activities are located at the grassy lawn and ball field area at Kilauea Military Camp.
Free registration for the BioBlitz will soon be available through the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website. Visitors can learn more about conservation and biodiversity through fun, interactive exhibits sponsored by many of Hawaii’s leading conservation organizations on the festival grounds.
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