Big Island residents and visitors descended upon Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on Saturday to celebrate Hawaiian culture, and to mark its 53rd year as a unit of the National Park Service.
On the shoreline of the South Kona park, hundreds of event-goers immersed themselves in Hawaii’s culture by taking part in activities including canoe rides, coconut frond weaving and traditional Hawaiian games to sampling roe pulled from live sea urchins and sweet, fresh sugarcane.
The free two-day festival continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday with various activities, traditional Hawaiian food tasting and a hukilau fishing demonstration.
In addition to being a free event, entry fees to the national park are being waived. Picnicking, coolers and chairs are not permitted in the Royal Grounds. No food is available in the park.