Circus for all ages
At SPACE in Lower Puna, Hiccup Circus brings neighbors of all ages together to learn, practice and perform. We have been building community through circus arts since 1984.
Join us for juggling, aerial arts, acrobatics, unicycling, stilts and creative play. Sliding-scale classes and scholarship support help make circus accessible.
Find your way in
Community Juggle Jam
Our free weekly gathering welcomes all experience levels. Practice, share skills and meet your neighbors.
Adult & teen aerial arts
Explore silks and sling through warmups, conditioning and skills for different experience levels.
Experienced aerialists ages 18+ can ask about our assessed, members-only Open Aerial program. Check the schedule for class levels and participation requirements.
Classes & camps for young people
Learn circus skills, create acts and practice working together in classes and seasonal camps. There is room to grow, try something new and build friendships.
Check the calendar for current classes and gatherings.
Community on stage
Our annual Holiday Show and Spring Show bring students, local artists, families and volunteers together at SPACE. First-time performers and experienced circus artists share the stage.
Our 2025–26 Holiday Show and Spring Show celebrated the skills and creativity of our performers, with volunteers helping bring both productions to life.
Outreach & parades
Hiccup Circus shares circus arts through school and community outreach, festivals and holiday parades. Our annual participation in the Pāhoa Holiday Parade brings performers, families and friends into the streets together.
During 2025–26, we took part in four outreach events: the Renaissance Fair, Holiday Parade, Manafest and JuggleFest. These gatherings make circus part of community life, beyond the classroom.
Hawaiʻi Island JuggleFest
Hosted at SPACE, JuggleFest brings together jugglers of all ages and experience levels for workshops, games, performances and time to learn from one another. The festival includes a Gala Show and welcomes both newcomers and experienced practitioners.
Keep circus accessible
A gift through Friends of the Hiccup Circus helps support accessible circus opportunities for local children. Together, community donations and grant support help us offer sliding-scale classes so more families can participate, learn and belong.
Thank you, supporters
We gratefully acknowledge the County of Hawaiʻi’s Nonprofit Grants-in-Aid: Waiwai Grant Program for supporting this work.
Our heartfelt thanks to Lorn and Shakti Douglas for their yearly contributions, and to Sahara Lawrence for supporting accessible circus education. We are grateful to every donor, volunteer, family and community partner who helps make these opportunities possible.
Follow Hiccup Circus on Facebook and our shared Hawaiʻi’s Volcano Circus Instagram for community moments and updates.
Our roots
H.I.C.C.U.P. stands for Hawaiʻi Island Community Circus Unity Project. Our work has grown through partnerships with schools, civic groups and charitable organizations.
Explore our outreach history
Juggling for Success Initiative:
Juggling For Success was a self-esteem program offered in 12 mainland states. Over 3,000 students in Hawaii have participated thanks to the Hiccup Circus program.
Lifecycle Recycling Information Program:
Following the great success of ‘Naturally High’, ‘Lifecycle’, presented during 1998, was an environmental assembly show encouraging involvement in volunteer community projects like litter cleanup, recycling and eco-fundraising.
Healthy Hawaii Initiative Pahoa Program:
From 1998-1999, HICCUP Circus presented the Healthy Hawaii Initiative Pahoa Program; 60 innovative weekly after-school programs, with the goal of promoting the healthy development of children and the community using fun activities to increase physical fitness.
“Naturally High” Drug & Tobacco Prevention Program:
From 1995-2001, Hiccup Children’s Circus presented “Naturally High”; a dynamic theatrical presentation that used circus arts to send a message of “tobacco use education” and “positive alternatives to smoking” in 149 schools across the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kauai and the Bay Area of California. Over 48,000 students attended the show and it received considerable PR via newspaper, magazine, and television. Evaluations from more than 800 teachers and counselors indicated that the project made a valuable contribution to prevent youth and young adults from beginning to use tobacco.
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