Makahiki runners greeting the sun. (Photo: Sarah Anderson) As the sun sank into the sea on Nov. 18, the constellation of Makali'i (Pleiades) rose in the east and with the new moon on Dec. 11, the ancient season and celebrations of Makahiki began – a time for rejuvenation and connection.
Two island community events are helping reach back to traditional Makahiki practices, bringing them to life as contemporary guides to wholesome living. For the last 15 years Makahiki has been celebrated by students and staff at Kanu o ka `Āina Public Charter School, growing into a community celebration at Anuenue Playground in Waimea 10 years ago. And for the last two years, a circle island relay run organized by Lanakila Mangauil has brought new life to the traditional procession practiced in the past.
All travel kapu, or restrictions, are lifted during Makahiki, meaning folks could travel to other districts and villages to socialize and participate in competitive games, an essential part of the celebration. “Everyone dressed in their best. It was like the time when the birds start to show off, you flaunt your feathers. It was a time of expo and everybody was showing off their best. Farmers, fisherman, craftsmen, hula, chants … all of that. You bring the best of the best,” says Mangauil.
Two island community events are helping reach back to traditional Makahiki practices, bringing them to life as contemporary guides to wholesome living. For the last 15 years Makahiki has been celebrated by students and staff at Kanu o ka `Āina Public Charter School, growing into a community celebration at Anuenue Playground in Waimea 10 years ago. And for the last two years, a circle island relay run organized by Lanakila Mangauil has brought new life to the traditional procession practiced in the past.
All travel kapu, or restrictions, are lifted during Makahiki, meaning folks could travel to other districts and villages to socialize and participate in competitive games, an essential part of the celebration. “Everyone dressed in their best. It was like the time when the birds start to show off, you flaunt your feathers. It was a time of expo and everybody was showing off their best. Farmers, fisherman, craftsmen, hula, chants … all of that. You bring the best of the best,” says Mangauil.
Auhea Puhi, Malia Nae’ole-Takasato, Keala Kahuanui, Nicole Anakalea and Pomai Bertelmann. (Photo, Nancy Erger) Cultural practitioner and educator Keala Kahuanui has been an integral part of the Makahiki Moku o Keawe celebration that takes place this Saturday, Jan. 16 beginning at 7 a.m. Leading up to the event, students practice and hone their gaming skills.
“Different teachers and organizations ask me to come and teach about Makahiki. When you explain that these are games that our kings and queens have played for hundreds of years, that they are more than just rolling a stone or throwing a spear and how these games teach you lessons like focus and intention, they start to take you really seriously,” says Kahuanui.
“Different teachers and organizations ask me to come and teach about Makahiki. When you explain that these are games that our kings and queens have played for hundreds of years, that they are more than just rolling a stone or throwing a spear and how these games teach you lessons like focus and intention, they start to take you really seriously,” says Kahuanui.
The games, which begin after the close of the ceremony, are a way for students to test their strength and skills. “[It’s] a safe space where they can experiment and try different things, continually surrounded with our Hawaiian values of aloha, kokua, mahalo and mālama,” says Kahuanui. “It's almost a level playing field for non-athletic kids. There's something for everybody,” she adds.
Over the years, the Makahiki Moku o Keawe has grown in participants and created a legacy. “There’s more participation and those who were learning in elementary are running it now. They graduated, they believe in it. It's part of their tradition, their culture. Parents are wanting to participate too,” says Kahuanui. “The parents and grandparents and the uncles and aunties are cheering on the little ones. And then it flips in the afternoon and the little ones are cheering on the uncles and aunties. We even had a grandmother play last year in the decathlon,” she adds.
Lanakila Mangauil with Lono image. Makahiki was a time of tribute, when the island chief and his entourage traveled around the island to collect the offerings left at the ahu, stone altars, which marked the boundary of the ahupuaa (land division).
“The chiefs would come around and collect their taxes. But really that was an observation. When the chiefs did a circuit of the island, what they were really doing was looking at the productivity of each district. The chiefs would select what they wanted and in a gesture they would give everything back to the people,” says Mangauil.
Inspired by the prayer runs of Native American Indian tribes, Mangauil decided to bring the Makahiki procession alive with a run around Hawai'i Island, focusing on the health of the land and the people. “It's about best practices. What did they do back then and how can we apply these things today?” says Mangauil.
“The chiefs would come around and collect their taxes. But really that was an observation. When the chiefs did a circuit of the island, what they were really doing was looking at the productivity of each district. The chiefs would select what they wanted and in a gesture they would give everything back to the people,” says Mangauil.
Inspired by the prayer runs of Native American Indian tribes, Mangauil decided to bring the Makahiki procession alive with a run around Hawai'i Island, focusing on the health of the land and the people. “It's about best practices. What did they do back then and how can we apply these things today?” says Mangauil.
A ki (statue) was carved with the image of a new Lono (Hawaiian god): Lono Ke Kukini Pule (Lono of the Prayer Run). The four-day run began in Honoka'a in the pre-dawn where participants chanted the sun up before beginning the first leg, which took them to the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo. There they were met by the Royal Order of Kamehameha. A total of 76 miles, day one ended at Nāmakanipaio campground.
From day two, which started on the rim of Kilauea crater, the runners touched down in the communities of Na'alehu and Miloli'i, making stops on succeeding days at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau, Hulihe'e Palace, Pu`ukoholā
Heiau and King Kamehameha statue in Kapa'au.
Canoes from Miloli'i and Keoua carried the Lono from Miloli'i to Kealakekua Bay. (right)
Heiau and King Kamehameha statue in Kapa'au.
Canoes from Miloli'i and Keoua carried the Lono from Miloli'i to Kealakekua Bay. (right)
“From there we went all the way up and came down Kohala Mountain Road. By the time we got to the bottom by Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, there were students there and they picked up the statue,” says Mangauil.
The Lono traveled into Hawaiian Homes escorted by many school groups and out to the highway on Mana Rd, stopping for lunch at Hale Kūhiō , compliments of 'Aha Pūnana Leo Preschool. “All the parents and the kids were lined up and the first person to come out of Hawaiian Homes passed the Lono to the first little guy and he ran it all through the parking lot. They handed it off and the parents kept it going,” says Mangauil.
The Lono traveled into Hawaiian Homes escorted by many school groups and out to the highway on Mana Rd, stopping for lunch at Hale Kūhiō , compliments of 'Aha Pūnana Leo Preschool. “All the parents and the kids were lined up and the first person to come out of Hawaiian Homes passed the Lono to the first little guy and he ran it all through the parking lot. They handed it off and the parents kept it going,” says Mangauil.
' Out of town and down Mahiki (Mud Lane) they traveled to Waipi'o Valley Lookout, back through Kukuihaele Village and on to Honoka'a. “That last stretch there were probably 200 people. We just ran right through Honoka'a town right back through the Lono banner up at the park. It was raw, it was real. It inspired the community,” says Mangauil.
Although we can never return to the time of the ancients, they have provided us with all the knowledge and wisdom necessary for the land and the people to thrive. Weaving traditional practices into contemporary life, creates a guide to healthy wholesome living that sustains the natural world we depend on for our survival.
Although we can never return to the time of the ancients, they have provided us with all the knowledge and wisdom necessary for the land and the people to thrive. Weaving traditional practices into contemporary life, creates a guide to healthy wholesome living that sustains the natural world we depend on for our survival.
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