Hawaii Volcanoes Cultural Festival

Cultural Festival Celebrates Pele

E Ho‘omau i ka Po‘ohala…carry on the virtues, arts, and skills of the family at Hawai‘i Volcanoes' 29th Annual Cultural Festival.

The free event is set for Saturday, July 11th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be held on the grass lawn fronting the Kilauea Military Camp on Crater Rim Drive.

This year's theme is E Ola ka Wahine o Halema‘uma‘u, Pele lives.

For many Native Hawaiians, Halema‘uma‘u crater is the sacred home of Pele, deity of volcanoes.

Located at the summit of Kilauea volcano, about two miles from the festival grounds, Halema‘uma‘u has been in eruption since March 2008. An eruption on the volcano’s east rift has been ongoing since January 1983.

At 10:00 am, the echo of the pu (shell trumpet) and a heartfelt Hawaiian pule (prayer) will remind us that the culture of Hawai`i is very much alive.
Enjoy hula by Haunani’s Aloha Expression and music by The Kuahiwi’s, Diana Aki, Kenneth Makuakane, and David Ka‘io.



Jazz Yglesias will emcee the day’s happenings.

This year’s festival artwork by Dietrich Varez features a rendering of Pele amidst volcanoes and lehua blossoms.

Join in and make a lei, feather kahili, Hawaiian quilt, wood fishhook, gourd for hula, and kukui nut top. You can weave a coconut basket and lauhala bracelet; play the ukulele, musical implements and Hawaiian games; and taste traditional foods such as kalua pig, taro, sweet potato, poi, sugar cane, and breadfruit.

Watch skilled practitioners demonstrate how to fish, throw net, build canoe, craft drums, do lomilomi massage, beat kapa, carve wood, use plants as medicine, stamp with bamboo, make a lauhala hat and feather lei, create a native plant garden, and plant dryland taro.

There will also be opportunities to learn basic Hawaiian language and trace your family genealogy.

Participants will be able to buy locally-made Hawaiian crafts from cultural demonstrators.

Food, drinks, and special edition festival t-shirts will also be available for purchase.

Festival goers should wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring water, a rainjacket, and beach chair or ground mat to sit on. It may be hot and sunny or cool and misty. Pets are not allowed.


Visit Website