The National Museum of the American Indian’s Hawaiian Cultural Festival will celebrate Hawai‘i's arts, music, dance, and history through demonstrations and hands-on activities intended to preserve and showcase these unique island traditions. The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. on Saturday through 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 and 18.

Demonstrations include the traditional art of feather-working, including Ieis, kahili, and feather cloaks; implement carving customs for lua (Hawaiian martial arts), kapa (barkcloth) implements, and fishhooks; weaving traditions for helmets, fish traps and basketry; Hawaiian kapa demonstrations, including kapa beating, preparation, and dyeing techniques; and creation of traditional and contemporary leis, including lei history and lore.

The program will also include daily dance demonstrations by a local halau (Hawaiian school of dance), a talk by a noted Hawaiian writer, special film screenings, and special family day activities.