Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week from 11 am – 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This week’s offerings include: Lau hala Weaving with Kumu Kāʻeo Izon.  Kāʻeo Izon is from Āliapaʻakai, Oʻahu and is a Kumu ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi teaching in the style of Kealaleo. He began weaving in 2009 with Kumu Ipolani Vaughan (also his Kumu ʻŌlelo), learning how to weave piko and covers. In 2011, Kāʻeo began weaving moena poepoe and pāpale with Kumu Evva Lim. Visitors and kama’aina alike are invited to experience a free, hands-on workshop.

These free cultural events are supported in part by  Hawaiʻi  Tourism Authority.

 Painting Demonstration with Rod Cameron at VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Jazz in the Forest: “Take Five with JP and the Jazztones”

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at 5:30pm

You are invited to come and enjoy a swinging evening of jazz theater at the Volcano Art CenterNiaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Road), May 10th at 5:30 pm.

 ” Jazz in the Forest”  season is beginning with a musical tribute to jazz greats, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, and creative guitarist Jim Hall, – both dynamic innovators in the jazz world. Perhaps better known is the Dave Brubeck.quartet, which played to audiences around the world, and to dozens – perhaps hundreds- of performances and recordings of concerts in international and scholastic recordings still available today. The sound of Paul Desmond’s Take Five is immediately recognizable to all jazz lovers, as well as elevator users, as the 5/4 rhythm has become identified with Desmond’s  “123-4 5” pattern, and even used for dancing in the ensuing years since its origin 50 years ago.  Even the long drum solo has become a classic, here to be reinterpreted by our fine drummer Owen Matsui.

Note that we waited until the fifth month to Take 5 in our popular jazz series here on the volcano, and Pele has graced us with lively announcements to our concert.  Along with Jean Pierre – JP – on  alto, will be guitarist – bassist – cellist- vocalist – etc. wizard Greg Shirley – tonight limiting himself to guitar, and master bassist in both classical and jazz worlds, Shawn Leavey, as well as Owen Matsui.

Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members)! Ticket holders will be able to purchase beer, wine, as well as pupu.

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Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week from 11 am – 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This week’s offerings include: Lauhala Weaving with Kuuipo Kalahiki-Morales. Visitors and kama’aina alike are invited to experience a free, hands-on workshop.

These free cultural events are supported in part by  Hawaiʻi  Tourism Authority.

 Painting Demonstration with Lacyann Kaheakū Matsumoto Lyons at VAC Gallery

Jazz in the Forest:

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at 5:30pm

You are invited to come and enjoy a swinging evening of jazz theater at the Volcano Art CenterNiaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Road), June 14th, at 5:30 pm.

As we have expanded upon these past years of the Volcano Art Center “Jazz in the Forest” series, American jazz has included influences from every genre of classical orchestral  european to down home primitive solo performances – beginning in and around New Orleans over one hundred years ago.

In this exciting retrospective on June 14, we are focusing on shades of the color Blue, and the influences that color has made to our musical experiences.

Classical compositions such as Debussy’s “LA MER”  brought  oceanic color to the orchestra. and Bizet’s “Carmen” provided  repertoire which has been “jazzified” in many settings. The influence of Spanish musical colors has also been seen in the music of Joaquin Rodrigo, whose Concierto de Aranjuez was strongly featured in the Miles Davis “Sketches of Spain” recording.  George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” was one of the first and most important blending of classical and jazz influences , and his contributions of dozens of blues tinged compositions has enriched our popular music for the last 80 years.  We find ourselves “Falling in Love Again”, with the blues in various shades of pleasure and pain throughout our jazz and popular  musical songbooks.

On June 14th  JP and the Jazztones will explore and revisit some of the riches that we love and dance to today .  Please come to the Volcano Art Center for the next in our “Jazz in the Forest” celebrations.  We were not just  “Born to be Blue”,  just remember that “We got rhythm”! Everyday !

Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members)! Ticket holders will be able to purchase beer, wine, as well as pupu.

Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week from 11 am – 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This week’s offerings include: Lauhala Weaving with Kuuipo Kalahiki-Morales. Visitors and kama’aina alike are invited to experience a free, hands-on workshop.

These free cultural events are supported in part by  Hawaiʻi  Tourism Authority.

Hula Kahiko: Unuokeahi with kumu hula Stacey Kapuaikapoliopele Kaʻauʻa

Saturday, October 11th | 10:30am

Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kīlauea performance series resumes on Saturday, October 11th, with a presentation by Unuokeahi under the direction of kumu hula Stacey Kapuaikapoliopele Kaʻauʻa.  The performance begins at 10:30am, and takes place in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. 

On the winter solstice of 2016, Unuokeahi opened her doors under the tutelage of kumu hula Kapua Kaʻauʻa, affectionately known as Kumu ʻAuʻa. ʻAuʻa underwent the ʻūniki rites in December 2014, led by her kumu Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō of Unukupukupu. It is with this that she was bestowed the title of kumu hula. The Unuokeahi traditions stem from the Kanakaʻole hula ʻaihaʻa traditions in Hilo.

Hālau Unuokeahi is made up of culturally sustainable members from various communities. Students who arrived at the hālau come to learn traditional and cultural leadership through moʻolelo, ritual, and environmental sustainability. Many of the students of Unuokeahi have reached or are reaching higher academic degrees, an essential piece for the journey of the hālau.

Along with Hālau Unuokeahi comes the Unuiti Hula Ensemble program from Ka ʻUmeke Kaʻeo Charter school in Keaukaha.  Started by her kumu, Taupōuri, in the early 2000’s, Kumu ʻAuʻa continues this program throughout all 11-grade levels.  Hula ʻaihaʻa, moʻolelo, and ritual are taught through the Hawaiian language medium.  It is a rigorous program, requiring students to create, and manifest their hula world in every aspect.  From making implements, gathering, fabrication, and ‘āina projects, to haku hula, these core learning accouterments are required of every student.  Paired with academics, it makes it for a dynamic program.

This performance is part of a year-round series sponsored by the Volcano Art Center (VAC).  VAC is pleased to resume the series which invites hula hālau from across Hawaiʻi to perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform), located near the VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats.

These family friendly, free events are supported in part by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. if you, your ‘ohana or business would like to support these wonderful programs please contact Emily Weiss at the Volcano Art Center.   The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts.