MEDIA RELEASE

* CELEBRATING BUFFALO SOLDIERS ON MAUNA KEA, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11

A living history presentation by renowned Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. Buffalo Soldiers were African American men who served as part of a segregated military regiment of the U.S. Army starting in 1866.

They were also, in essence, some of the first park rangers in the newly created national parks. In 1915, enlisted men of Company E, 25th U.S. Infantry Division, volunteered six weeks of service to pioneer a foot trail and build a cabin up the slopes of Mauna Loa.

Costumed as a Buffalo Soldier along the Mauna Loa Trail, Johnson gives a first person account to bring to life the role that these African American soldiers played in our national parks in the early 1900s.

The program includes a short walk through the woods of this sub-alpine area, home to the rare silversword fern.

Cost per person is $50 for members / $65 for non-members. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member price.

* EXPLORING KILAUEA IKI CRATER & PUU LOA PETROGLYPHS,8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12

A field adventure with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Rangers Adrian Boone & Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita and Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson.

In the morning, start at the summit and lace up your hiking boots to descend 400’ through the tropical rainforest into Kilauea Iki crater for this 4 mile roundtrip adventure. In the afternoon, travel down Chain of Craters Road to the coastal lava fields.

Hike 2 miles roundtrip to contemplate hundreds of symbols and images — human, animal, and other — artfully etched in pahoehoe by generations of Hawaiians.

Accompanying the group in historical costume, guest ranger Shelton Johnson brings to life the role that the African American Buffalo Soldiers played in our national parks in the early 1900s.

Cost per person is $65 for members / $85 for non-members.

Sponsored by Hawaii Volcanoes Institute, part of Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member price.

To register, call 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org