Practitioners Wanted for Cultural Demonstrations at Haleakalā, Kīpahulu

By Maui Now Staff

Haleakalā National Park announced that it is seeking cultural practitioners for a series of cultural demonstrations that will be offered in the Kīpahulu and Summit Districts of the park.  This is the second year in a row that the park is offering the demonstrations as part of its Hana Noʻeau series.

“Through support from the park’s non-profit partner, the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, an honorarium of $200 will be offered to each group of practitioners,” park officials said in a press release announcement.

The park plans to host cultural demonstrations from early June through late August during times when visitation traffic is the heaviest.  In the Kīpahulu District cultural demonstrations will be held between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays; and in the Summit District demonstrations are planned between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Demonstrations may include hula, music, or native crafts.

Cultural practitioners, as well as school and community groups are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the new cultural demonstration series are available at any Haleakalā National Park visitor center or online.

The deadline to apply is April 30, 2015.

In December 2013, the park unveiled a new cultural brochure featuring information on safety, driving, weather, hiking, swimming, plants and animals, activities, and cultural and natural resources of the region.

Park officials noted that no other brochure in the entire 401-unit national park system was written by community members in the native language of the community.

Patricia Gomez makes a feather flower. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

Pi`ilani Lua helps a visitor with a haku lei. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

A visitor plays `ulu maika (lawn bowling). Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

Gordean Kakalia displays sennit used in weaving. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

Bolly Helekahi helps a visitor make a coconut leaf hat. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

Visitors follow Judy Kinser’s dance steps. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.

Judy Kinser dances hula. Photo credit: Haleakalā National Park.