Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announced a number of events taking place throughout the month of November. All events are free, however entrance fees may apply. A detailed list of scheduled events can be found below.
Friday, November 11 – Fee-Free Veterans Day PLUS a New Free Pass! Entrance fees are waived for everyone at all fee-charging national parks to honor Americans who have served our country. In addition, a new Veterans and Gold Star Family Interagency Lifetime Pass will be available starting on Veterans Day; the pass provides free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas. Veterans with valid ID and Gold Star families with a printed voucher can get their pass online or in person at the park entrance station. Information on identification accepted for the Veterans Pass and a downloadable Gold Star Family voucher are available online: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm.
November 12, 18 and 26 – Stewardship at the Summit Rainforest Restoration – This event allows volunteers the opportunity to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.
November 12, Birth of Kahuku – Guests will be able to explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic formations, including the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Kānāwai o Pele, the natural laws of land-building that govern the realm of the volcano deity. This 1.5-mile, 90-minute hike is one of several ranger-led hikes and programs in Kahuku in November. For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.Time: 9:30a to 11 a.m.Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station located in Ka‘ū, a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance.
November 19 – Birds, Not Mosquitoes! Native Hawaiian forest bird populations have been severely depleted by avian diseases that are transmitted by non-native mosquitoes. Birds, Not Mosquitoes is a collaboration of state, federal and nonprofit organizations working together to implement this tool. Join Chris Farmer of the American Bird Conservancy and Evelyn Wight of The Nature Conservancy to learn about this promising initiative. Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes’ ongoing Kahuku Coffee Talk series.Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station
November 22 – Getting a Handle on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) has seriously impacted ʻōhiʻa forests for a decade now, J.B. Friday, Extension Forester with the University of Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Ecologist Stacey Torigoe, will give an update on ROD and what the community can do to protect and restore Hawaiian forests. This event is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series.Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium
November 29- Aloha Rodeo with David Wolman. Author David Wolman will take guests back in time when three Hawaiian cowboys competed in the world’s greatest rodeo. Arriving by steamship, traveling by train and riding borrowed horses, these men kept the audience on the edge of their seats while earning top honors in the 1908 Frontier Days rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Books for sale the evening of the program and book signing to follow. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series.Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium
All Month – Explore the Summit and Other Ranger-Led Walks. Discover Kīlauea volcano during a one-hour, ranger-led walk offered daily. Other ranger-led programs may also be available. Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai
Programs are subject to change or cancellation without notice. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
Photo credit: HVNP