Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will host several Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs in March. The programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hawaii Pacific Parks Association.
The Unforeseen Consequences of the Hawaiian Sandalwood Trade. Paul Field, park volunteer and retired Professor of History at Windward Community College, will discuss how the sandalwood trade impacted relations between commoners and chiefs, altered the concept of mana, and led to the first official interference of the U.S. government in the affairs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The talk is at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Weave Coconut Fronds. Learn how to weave coconut fronds into useful and beautiful items with expert Cathy Gouveia. The workshop is from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai.
Free hula performance. Under the direction of Kumu Hula Ab Kawainohoikalai Valencia, Halau Hula Kalehuakiekieikaiu ma Kilauea performs from 6:30-8 p.m. March 15 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Wilderness Hike to Napau Crater. Park Ranger Michael Newman leads this challenging 14-mile, seven-hour, round-trip interpretive trek to the edge of Napau Crater at 9 a.m. March 18. Info: 985-6017. Hikers must bring four liters of water per person, lunch and snacks, sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, sunscreen, hat and raingear. Free. Meet Ranger Michael at the Mauna Ulu Parking Lot off Chain of Craters Road.
Make Hu Kukui. Help revive the practice of making and playing the traditional Hawaiian top, called hu kukui from 10 a.m. to noon March 22 on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai.
After Dark in the Park with Hawaiian Bats. Opeapea, or Hawaiian hoary bats, are the only true native terrestrial mammals in Hawaii. Join U.S. Geological Survey bat biologist and researcher Corinna Pinzari as she reveals recent research into bat biology, monitoring, ecology, and genetics projects, current status and distribution. The talk is at 7 p.m. March 28 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.