3 Festival Celebrations

Every King Kamehameha Day, the North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration celebrates and honors Hawai’i’s first monarch. On this year’s holiday, June 11, the North Kohala community’s original King Kamehameha statue will be draped with a 20-foot lei, followed by a blessing ceremony, hula and music performances, and sharing of history. A parade following the ceremony will include traditional pā’ū riders (women horseback riders) and horses adorned in flowers and colors representing each Hawaiian Island. For more information, visit www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.

The Hawai’i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the island of Ha- wai’i as a multicultural melting pot. This year’s three-day event promises fashion, food, cultural presentations, a hula hō’ike (show), a fireknife competition, a culinary event and more. The festival is set for July 9 through 11 at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. For more information, visit https://www. hikuauli.com.

The Experience Volcano Festival is a celebration of the culture, people and traditions that make the Volcano Village area of the island of Hawai’i unique. Set for July 29 and 30, the fest aims to give attendees a taste of everything Volcano Village offers, showcasing Hawaiian culture, local music, area art and artisans, tours, keiki (children) and ‘ohana

(family) activities, restaurant happy hours and specials, food trucks and more. For more information, visit https://www.experiencevolcano.com/experiencevolcanofestival.

Join the Volcano’s ‘Ōhi’a Lehua Runs on July 29. Beginning and ending in Volcano Village, the event’s course takes runners along the community’s Wright Road through a beautiful ‘ōhi’a forest with scenic views of Maunakea and Maunaloa. For more information, visit https:// www.ohialehuahalf.com. For More on