This celebration of Hawaiian culture demonstrates the importance of voyaging and dance for Native Hawaiian communities. Try basic knot-tying techniques used in the construction, operation, and care of a canoe, and learn how these skills preserve Native Hawaiian sailing traditions. Enjoy performances by hālau hula (school of traditional Hawaiian dance) Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (the Royal ‘Ilima Blossom), who will present a selection of hula kahiko (traditional dance) and hula 'auana (contemporary dance) under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Kumu Hula Jeffrey Kānekaiwilani Takamine.

Hawaiian Hula Education Area

10 AM–5:30 PM

Hālau Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (the Royal ‘Ilima Blossom)

Learn about and appreciate a cultural display of regalia, adornments, and instruments associated with hula. Visitors can also enjoy a lei-making demonstration and learn the significance of the lei in hula traditions.

Hawaiian Knot-Tying

10 AM–12 PM

Museum Educators

Try your hand at basic knot-tying techniques used in the construction and care of a canoe. Learn how these skills are used in perpetuating Hawaiian sailing traditions.

Hawaiian Music and Dance

12 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM

Hālau Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (the Royal ‘Ilima Blossom)

Pua Ali'i 'Ilima, the hālau hula (school of traditional Hawaiian dance) under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Kumu Hula Jeffrey Kānekaiwilani Takamine, take you on a journey throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Follow Pele the fire goddess as she travels in her voyaging canoe. Guided by her shark god brother Kamohoali'i, Pele journeys from her ancestral home in far off Kahiki to each of the Hawaiian Islands. Watch as she seeks a home for her fires, before finally settling in Kīlauea Crater on the island of Hawai'i.

Saturday's performances will be livestreamed at AmericanIndian.si.edu/livestream.

Hawaiian Boating Teaching Cart

1 PM–4 PM

Museum Educators

Learn about the traditional and contemporary uses of canoes and how Native Hawaiian communities create and adapt these boats based on their practical needs and cultural beliefs.