Hula Arts at Kīlauea Programs

Since 1980, Volcano Art Center (VAC) has continually sponsored a variety of award-winning activities and workshops that expose participants to aspects of the rich Hawaiian culture from both the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village and the VAC Gallery inside of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP).  These programs have been sponsored in part by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and by individual donations from members of the Volcano Art Center’s ʻohana.

HULA KAHIKO

Hula hālau from around the country come to HVNP to share this traditional form of hula and chant while facing Halemaʻumaʻu crater, the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele, in these free, interpreted outdoor performances. For spectators, experiencing ancient style sounds, rhythms, and dance in the natural setting of Kīlauea volcano is authentic and quite extraordinary.  Hula Kahiko performances take place one Saturday each month, 10:30 – 11:30am.    Learn More >>

ALOHA FRIDAY CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS

Every Friday, on the porch of VAC’s Gallery in HVNP, as well as once a month on Hula Kahiko performance Saturdays, Hawaiian practitioners share various aspects of their culture with storytelling and hands-on activities that include making lei, gourd instruments and hula implements, as well as lauhala weaving, kapa beating, hula (dance), oli (chant) and ʻukulele playing. Aloha Fridays are each week, 11am-1pm.  Nā Mea Hula (all things hula) demonstrations are once a month on Hula Kahiko Saturdays from 11am – 1pm.  Each year on May 1st, a special celebration takes place on the VAC Gallery porch.  With hundreds of fragrant blossoms and plant materials provided by the Volcano Art Center, learn tips for sewing the perfect lei, the proper protocol of giving and receiving a lei and more.  May Day is Lei Day, 11am – 1pm.   Learn More >>

HULA VOICES

These free, monthly offerings held at the VAC Gallery in HVNP, present an engaging, intimate “talk story” session with Hawaiʻi Island’s kumu hula.  Join VAC as these practitioners share their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols, experiences, chants and choreography that are rooted in the ancient Hawaiian practice of hula and its associated arts.  Hula Voices is generally scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, 7 – 8pm. Learn More >>

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Through its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, VAC extends upon the
above-motioned cultural demonstrations by offering thorough instruction in all
things Hawaiian, including the Hawaiian language.  Learn More >>