Park announces June programs

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will host several cultural and After Dark in the Park programs in June. All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply.

“Kapoenoonoo: Early Native Hawaiian Scholars” will discuss Davida Malo, John Papa Ii, Samuela Kamakau, Kepelino, and S.N. Haleole, who have written about the history and cultural practices of pre-contact Hawaii. Former park archivist Helen Wong Smith will explain how these men straddled two cultures, how their efforts provide us with knowledge of ancient times, and how to access their publications in the digital era. The program is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Kumu hula Mamo Brown will demonstrate three different lei styles, wili, hipuu and hilo, using backyard foliage 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai. Participants are encouraged to pick items in their backyards for this demonstration.

Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku will perform hula from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 18 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Carl Ray Villaverde will give a Hawaiian music performance from 7 to 8 p.m. June 24 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Oral Abihai will share his passion for making ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood from 10 a.m. to noon June 25 on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai.

Workshops teach cultural activities

A day of exploring traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts is planned from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hooli Retreat Center in Honomalino.

Workshops will cover Hawaiian language and chant, playing ukulele, lei making, lauhala weaving and dancing hula. The day will conclude with a concert from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring The Ladies of Waikui and Konabob. Morning workshops are from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., afternoon sessions are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Most materials and a light lunch are included in the cost of the workshops, which are $35 each.

Advance registration is requested. Directions and registration are at nawaiiwiola.org, or call 640-1384 for registration and 936-0607 for directions.

Coffee berry borer workshops offered

Kona Coffee Farmers Association will hold two refresher workshops for vouchers worth 50 percent off of Botaniguard and Mycotrol sold by the gallon. The discount is available through a Hawaii Department of Agriculture grant.

The first workshop is from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and the second is from 1 to 3 p.m. June 14. Both workshops will be held at the CTHAR Building in Kainaliu. Farmers need to attend one of these to qualify for the vouchers, which may be redeemed at Farm and Garden in Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua.

Accessible Hawaii director speaks at St. Louis conference

Jean Hartley, director of the nonprofit organization Accessible Hawaii will spoke on disability travel Sunday in St. Louis.

The Postpolio International Health conference offered a variety of workshops and presentations. Hartley also networked with health care professions who shared the latest exoskeleton research which allows those with paralyzed limbs to have mobility via control with brain implants. Other experts addressed the conflicting reports of new polio outbreaks in emerging nations.

Along with introducing the nonprofit’s new website and YouTube video, Hartley made available her new publication, “GO,” a handbook targeting physical disabilities that share common challenges. “GO” can be ordered on the group’s site with a donation through Pay Pal.

Volunteers with marketing and communication skills will be needed for future book projects. View accessiblehawaii.com and contact the staff at 896-8967 or jeanmhartley@gmail.com.

Students plant koa trees at bird sanctuary

More than 50 school children on March 6 hiked into the new Discovery Forest near the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center to take part in a day of learning and plant 300 koa trees as part of an ongoing conservation effort led by San Diego Zoo Global and the Hawaii Forest Institute.

Once a koa forest is established, understory fruiting species that are key to the diets of rare bird species can be planted in the area. Fruiting species include hoawa, kolea, maile, mamaki, mamane, ohelo, olapa, pilo and ieie. More than 650 koa and 200 mamane trees were planted in March in the forest.