Hundreds of students, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adults, will ascend upon Waimea Park Saturday for a day of camaraderie, fun and traditional Makahiki games.
Hundreds of students, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adults, will ascend upon Waimea Park Saturday for a day of camaraderie, fun and traditional Makahiki games.
The 10th annual Ka Moku o Keawe Makahiki will bring together keiki and keiki-at-heart from all over Hawaii Island to celebrate Hawaiian culture and tradition, community and healthy living, said Keala Kahuanui, who coordinates and directs the Makahiki, which falls under the auspices of nonprofit Pukoa Kani Aina, which strives to provide educational and socioeconomic opportunities for Hawaiians.
The event is held amid the traditional Makahiki season, which runs from November through February, said Kahuanui.
Makahiki is a time to gather, celebrate and pay homage to Lono, the Hawaiian god of fertility, peace and agriculture.
“Makahiki in itself is that time of rejuvenation, a time of peace and well-being and a time to reflect,” explained Kahuanui. “So we are harnessing that season spirit already (with the games), and since we are gathering hundreds of people together and it’s an all-day event, everybody could always use information, awareness and access to healthier opportunities.”
The free fun gets underway bright and early at 7 a.m. Waimea Park with age-group games of strength such as hukihuki hookahi (one on one tug-of-war), hukihuki (team tug-of-war), pohaku hooikaika (rock throwing), pa uma (chest pushing) and kukini (running). Competitors also engage in games of skill such as hakamoa (chicken fight), ulu maika (lawn bowling), moa pahee (dart sliding), uma (arm wrestling), oo ihe (spear throwing) and konane (checkers).
“People are bringing their game and they are practicing,” said Kahuanui about the range of competitors expected in Saturday’s games.
In addition to the games, there will also be an opening ceremony, healthy food booths and the opportunity to learn and interact with various organizations about health, wellness and culture. The John A. Burns School of Medicine Native Hawaiian Center for Excellence will offer free screenings by medical students and doctors, as well as man the first aid station in the hale ola tent. Hale ola translated means “house of life, health or well-being,” according to Mary Kawena Pukui’s Hawaiian Dictionary.
“‘It’s a place to learn, to explore, to delve into the different kinds of health — not just physical and mental health, but even environmental and social health,” she said. There will also be kalo (taro) pounding, preparing uala (sweet potato) slips, crafts, updates on Na Kalai Waa’s restoration of the Makalii voyaging canoe, and other activities. “It’s all free for the public to do.”
At the event, adults may sign up to participate in games, however, registration is due by 10 a.m. Students were required to register via their schools to take part in the fun.
“I love to see where the grandparents, parents, uncles and aunties are cheering on their keiki and then it flips where the keiki get to cheer on their moms, dads, uncles grandmas and grandpas,” said Kahuanui. “That is an infectious spirit to hear. All-day-long it is positive people trying to strive for excellence and that’s what makahiki is really about — that we help to heal each other.”
Info: 960-2811, kkahuanui@gmail.com.