Special Events
ALOHA FESTIVALS

Big Island Kickoff Celebration: August 30, 2008 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Free (park entrance fees may apply) Hula Kahiko Performance:    10 a.m to 11 a.m at the pa hula Hawaiian Craft Demos:    9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center Gallery Royal Court Investiture:    12 noon - location to be announced

In August and September, the Big Island of Hawai'i's Aloha Festivals hosts dozens of events in five weeks of Hawaiian tradition, music, dance, and family fun. The Volcano Art Center sponsors the opening of this islandwide celebration with a free outdoor hula kahiko performance at the pa hula at Ka'auea. Each year, a notable kumu hula and halau hula perform traditional hula and chants. For comfort, bring sitting mat, water, sunscreen, hat, and raingear, as performances take place rain or shine.

On the front porch of the Volcano Art Center Gallery, artisans will be on hand to demonstrate Hawaiian crafts and answer questions about these traditional art forms. After the hula performance, the Ho'ola'a o Na Ali'i, or Royal Court Investiture, commences at a location to be announced. In the past, it took place on the rim of Halema'uma'u crater, home of the volcano goddess Pele.

DIRECTIONS The pa hula and Volcano Art Center Gallery are located inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (off Highway 11) next to the Kilauea Visitors Center. Halema'uma'u Crater is approximately 5 miles past the Visitors Center on Crater Rim Drive.