News Release

May 2024 events at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

A crowd of visitors stands in front of the explosive Kīlauea volcano in 1924

Tai Ling Soo Courtesy of Bishop Museum

News Release Date: March 29, 2024

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

Note: The May 22 Nā Leo Manu Hawaiian music concert with Kainani Kahaunaele is canceled. 

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Connect with your park to experience Hawaiian culture, learn about past volcanic explosions and more at these May events at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park!

All events are free, but entrance fees may apply. Some programs are sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Programs are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Check the park calendar for more information.

Sixteen Explosive Days at Kīlauea in May 1924. In May 1924, more than 50 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu produced volcanic ash that fell from South Hilo to South Kona. Thousands of rocks weighing as much as 12 tons crashed to the ground in Kīlauea caldera. Electrical storms and torrential rain accompanied several of the explosions, earthquakes repeatedly shook the summit, and Halemaʻumaʻu doubled in width. Don Swanson, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist emeritus, and Ben Gaddis, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer, describe the preamble to that eventful month 100 years ago. They also speculate why similar explosions did not occur during the 2018 partial collapse of the caldera. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 
When: Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.  
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium   

Learn to Make Hū. Early Hawaiians devoted time to games, amusement and relaxation. Top-spinning and making hū (kukui nut top) was a favorite activity for keiki (children) and people of all ages. Join park rangers and staff from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Assocation as they share their knowledge and love of one of the popular traditional arts of Hawaiʻi. Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s ongoing ‘Ike Hana Noʻeau (Experience the Skillful Work) Hawaiian cultural programs, and co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 
When: Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to noon 
Where: ʻŌhiʻa Wing (across Crater Rim Drive from Kīlauea Visitor Center)

Encore! Nani O Kahuku: A Living History Play. Relive a day on Kahuku Ranch and experience the fascinating history of the Jones family who managed the ranch between 1871 and 1887. Renowned performer Alya-Joy Kanehailua stars in this one-woman play as Nani, the next-to-youngest child of George Jones’ 11 children. This living history memoir is adapted from Nani’s original material and directed by the inimitable Jackie Pualani Johnson. Free, no entrance fees at Kahuku. 
When: Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. 
Where: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, just south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Highway 11 in Kaʻū. 

Hawaiian ʻAwa: a Cross-Cultural Tradition. ʻAwa (also known as kava) is a traditional ceremonial beverage used by many cultures throughout the Pacific islands. The first ʻawa plants were brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers. Join Sam Valdez, farm manager for Puʻiwa Hawaiian Farms, whose mission is to bring the nearly extinct Hawaiian 'awa back to the forefront of island culture and share its healing powers with others. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 
When: Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m.  
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium   

Canceled! Hawaiian Music Concert with Kainani Kahaunaele. Kainani Kahaunaele is a passionate singer and songwriter of Hawaiian music. She teaches Hawaiian language, music and ethnobotany at the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language and Literature. Her three solo albums have garnered 12 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Part of the Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices of Hawaiian Music” concerts and presentations. Co-sponsored by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 
When: Wednesday, May 22 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium 
 

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