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January is Volcano Awareness Month at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Lava from the Kilauea Volcano spills over a cliff and into the Pacific. Photo by R. Hoblitt via the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this month? Then check out the roster of activities that have been arranged to celebrate Volcano Awareness Month in the park.

The designation was made in a proclamation from the County of Hawai`i. Throughout the month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, in cooperation with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai`i County Civil Defense, and the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, will sponsor various events to promote the importance of understanding and respecting the volcanoes that lie beneath the Hawaiian islands. While the activities kicked off January 2, there are many more scheduled for the rest of the month, ranging from guided hikes and evening talks to teacher workshops.

Daily

Movies shown in Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

*On the Hour: “Born of Fire, Born of the Sea”

*On the Half Hour (except 11:30 am): “Kīlauea Eruption Update”

*11:30 a.m.: “1959‐60 Kīlauea Iki‐Kapoho Eruptions”

Every Sunday -- January 10, 17, 24, 31

11:00 a.m. – Life and Breath of Kīlauea
Discover how Kīlauea grows and breathes through Park Ranger demonstrations about lava flows, earthquakes, and volcanic gases [30 minutes]. Meet at Jaggar Museum. For more information, call 9808) 985‐6011.

1:00 p.m. – Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike
Hear the story of Kīlauea’s dramatic 1959 eruption in this 4‐mile guided hike across a still steaming crater floor [3 hours]. Meet at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking lot on Crater Rim Drive. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Every Monday -- January 11, 18, 25

10:00 a.m. – Amazing Mauna Ulu Hike
See lava trees, fissures, and other volcanic features formed during a 1969‐74 eruption in this 1‐mile guided hike [1 hour]. Meet at the Mauna Ulu parking lot on the Chain of Craters Road. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Every Tuesday-- January 12, 19, 26

10:30 a.m. – Ask a Volcanologist
Do you have questions about Kīlauea or other Hawaiian volcanoes? A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist will be available to answer them [30 minutes]. Jaggar Museum Overlook. For more information, call (808) 967‐8844.

Every Wednesday-- January 13, 20, 27

1:00 p.m. – Above and Below Hike
Discover the hidden world of lava tubes in this 1.5 mile guided hike through lush rainforest to Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) [1 hour]. Flashlights recommended. Meet at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook on Crater Rim Drive. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Every Thursday -- January 14, 21, 28

10:30 a.m. – Ask a Volcanologist
Do you have questions about Kīlauea or other Hawaiian volcanoes? A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist will be available to answer them [30 minutes]. Jaggar Museum Overlook. For more information, call (808) 967‐8844.

1:00 p.m. – Pu`uloa Hike
Learn how Hawaiians lived on Kīlauea’s volcanic landscape during this 2‐mile hike to the largest concentration of petroglyphs in Hawai‘i [2 hours]. Meet at Pu`uloa parking lot on the Chain of Craters Road. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Thursday (one day only)-- January 28

* 10:30 a.m. – Nature Drawing Class with artist Ken Charon [90 minutes] Capture Kīlauea’s volcanic landscape and its unique plants and birds. Drawing techniques are covered before walking to a scenic location. Bring a sketch pad/paper and pencil, or purchase supplies for a nominal fee. Ages 8 and up welcome. Be prepared for unpredictable weather. Sign up is first‐come, first served—no pre‐registration. Donations appreciated. Meet at Volcano Art Center Gallery. For more information, call Volcano Art Center at (808) 967‐8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Every Friday-- January 8, 15, 22, 29

* 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. – A Walk into the Past
In this living history program set in 1912, meet “Thomas A. Jaggar,” founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and learn about his work on Kīlauea Volcano [45 minutes]. Convene at Kīlauea Visitor Center. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Every Saturday -- January 9, 16, 23, 30

11:00 a.m. – Life on the Edge
Learn about Kīlauea’s dramatic history, its newest eruption, and how scientists monitor the volcano in this caldera rim talk by Park Rangers [20 minutes]. Meet at Jaggar Museum Overlook. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

1:00 p.m. – Into the Volcano Hike
Explore Kīlauea’s unique rain forest and volcanic landscape in this 2.7‐mile hike to the floor of Kīlauea caldera and up [2‐3 hours]. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. For more information, call (808) 985‐6011.

Saturday (one day only)-- January 9

9:00 a.m. – Mauna Ulu Hike [3 hours]
HVO geologist Don Swanson shares his experiences during Kīlauea’s 1969‐74 east rift zone eruption in this 3‐mile hike. Meet at the Mauna Ulu parking lot on the Chain of Craters Road at 9:00 a.m. Sturdy shoes and rain gear recommended. For more info, call (808) 967‐8844.

Saturday (one day only) --January 16

8:30 a.m. – Hula Pele: Kīlauea Seminar [6 hours]
Join Ab Kawainohoikala‘i Valencia, kumu hula of Hālau Hula Kalehuaki‘eki‘eika‘iu, to learn “Kīlauea, a hula Pele,” written by Alice Namakelua. Previous hula experience is recommended, but not required. Bring pa‘u hula for nā wahine, raffia pa‘u hula for nā kāne, and ipu heke a me ka pale to learn the pa‘i. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Seminar fee applies. For more info, call Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985‐7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

Saturday (one day only)-- January 23

* 9:30 a.m. – Hawaiian Cultural Demonstrations [4 hours]
Volcano Art Center Gallery. Donations appreciated. For more information, call Volcano Art Center at (808) 967‐8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

* 10:30 a.m. – Na Mea Hawai’i Hula Kahiko [1 hour]
See traditional hula and chant performed on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea caldera, featuring Halau Hula Ka No’eau under the direction of kumu hula Michael Pili Pang. Donations appreciated. For more info, call (808) 967‐8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org

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