MEDIA RELEASE

* SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK
Noon-2 p.m., Sunday, April 8

This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to share in the park’s beautiful trails. Led by Nick Shema, this month’s 2-part, 2-mile round-trip walk explores 2 different areas of the park.

The first part starts at the Kilauea Visitor Center and explores Sulphur Banks Trail and Crater Rim Trail. The second part requires driving to Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park) for a lovely loop trail in a species-rich ancient mesic forest.

The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend). Park entrance fees apply.

* VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 20

Volunteers are needed to help collect and process mamane seed pods on the Mauna Loa strip of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The goal is to increase the mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) forest on Mauna Loa to provide habitat and forage for the native honeycreeper birds. We will also learn about the park’s native forest restoration program.

Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven terrain with a moderate slope. Our goal is a crew of 12 people, and pre-registration is required.

* “IMAGES FROM THE EDGE” SLIDESHOW & FINALISTS CEREMONY
6 p.m. Saturday, April 28

This special multi-image slideshow, set to music, features photos submitted during the first annual “Images from the Edge” photo contest. The public is invited to view a wide variety of intriguing images — from macro photography of native plants to surreal lavascapes — taken in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by both amateur and professional photographers.

Immediately following the slideshow, contest finalists will be announced during a ceremony with judges Rick Decker and Alvis Upitis. This free event takes place in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the Kilauea Visitor Center. In honor of National Park Week (April 21-29), park entrance is free all week.

HAWAII VOLCANO INSTITUTE PROGRAMS

* KEAUHOU BIRD CENTER TOUR
9-11 a.m. Friday, April 6

Join us for this special tour of the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in Volcano, which isn’t open to the general public. See and learn about native birds that the facility houses, including the alala (Hawaiian crow), which is extinct in the wild; the palila, a finch-billed honeycreeper found only on the slopes of Mauna Kea; the Maui parrotbill, an insectivorous Hawaiian honeycreeper; and the puaiohi, or small Kauai thrush.

Cost per person is $20 for Friends members and $30 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to get the member discount.

* PLANTS OF HULA: NA MEA KANU O KE HULA
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 22

Kumu hula Ab Kawainohoikalai Valencia and botanist Tim Tunison team up for a cultural and scientific exploration of the plants used in hula. Learn about kino lau (manifestations of Hawaiian deities in plant form) as well as the significance of plants used for the hula altar and for adornments. We’ll discuss cultural protocols used when picking plants and walk among native species in their natural environment.

The day ends with a hands-on lesson in native plant propagation and plant seedlings to take home. Cost per person is $60 for Friends members and $85 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to get the member discount. Park entrance fees apply.

INSTITUTE-ON-DEMAND – PRIVATE TOURS

Available Year-Round

INSTITUTE-ON-DEMAND allows your group (of any size) to create your own custom-designed private tour. Let us know your group’s itinerary, activity level, and interests—and we’ll create a personalized adventure just for you!

Private tours are perfect for families, reunions, school and senior groups, friends traveling together, adventure-seekers, and more. We can arrange anything from a two-hour tour to a multi-day program with meals and lodging, or anything in between.

Tours are led by expert instructors and naturalist guides who combine scientific understanding with detailed personal knowledge of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Informal teaching techniques and participant-guided learning make these personalized adventures not just educational but also fun.

To set up your INSTITUTE-ON-DEMAND private tour, call (808) 985-7373 or email institute@fhvnp.org.

*Institute programs are funded in part by the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or reasonable modification of policies and procedures to participate in Institute programs should contact the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at institute@fhvnp.org or (808) 985-7373 at least five days before the program.

— Find out more:
www.fhvnp.org