Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 4, 1 April 1990 — Moloka‘i Makahiki area is rededicated [ARTICLE]

Moloka‘i Makahiki area is rededicated

By Edward Halealoha Ayau On Saturday, Jan. 13, Na'iwa, the traditional site of the land games of the Moloka'i makahiki was reopened and blessed for makahiki purposes after 72 years of non-use. A relay was run through the entire Na'iwa district. It began and ended at pohaku pa'ani ho'oikaika (athlete's stone) considered to be the piko (center) of Na'iwa. Three kukini (swift runners) traversed a difficult course. The race was possible because of the permission and support of Ian Hurst of Moloka'i Ranch. The first kukini was Robert Momona Aleain, son of Enid Laniwahine (Sarmiento) Makaiwi and Segundo Aleain of Kaunakakai. The second kukini was Shane Kuamu Bush, son of Evangeline Oehie (Makaiwi) Bush and the late Francis Koa Bush of Ho'olehua. The third kukini was Adolph M. Helm, son of George J. Helm Sr. and Mae (Koko) Helm of Kalamaula. Before the race the three eaeh gave traditional ho'okupu (offerings) that were placed on the athlete's stone. All three were hlessed by kupuna Clara Ku and to the sound of the pu (eoneh shell) the historic run was begun by Bobby Aleain. A 10-year perpetual trophy was donated by Reynolds Leialoha Ayau of Ho'olehua, entitled, "Na Kukini Po'okela o Na'iwi," (The Champion Runners of Na'iwa) includes an authentic ulumaika (rolling stone) mounted on top. The names of Robert Momona Aleain, Shane Kuamu Bush and Adolph M. Helm are now inscribed on the trophy whieh will stay with kupuna Harriet Ne until the 10-year period is over. Beginning next year, teams of three kukini will be invited to eaeh race for the right to have their names inscribed on the perpetual trophy. At the end of the 10-year period, the team whieh has won

the most relay races keeps the trophy. The Rev. John Apuna blessed the symbolic reopening of Na'iwa. Standing next to the athlete's stone with Pu'u Anoano as a backdrop, the women of Hula Halau o Molokai, under the direction of kumu hula Rachael Kamakana, danced under a noonday sun. A brief cultural history of Na'iwa was shared with the families and friends that attended. Mueh work has gone into restoring historic sites located in Na'iwa. Matthew Adolpho, Kaimi Lindo, Aaron Fontes, Aunty Luana Hamakua, Sheldon Hamakua, Dan and Kathy Bennett, Howard Selnick, and 1 have all contributed to the

restoration of historic sites. Mueh more work needs to be done including restoration at the kahua (playing field) that surrounds the athlete's stone, the hula platform and boxing ring and the holua side. The Pu'u Maika, also known as Pu'u Ka Mo'o, and onee the site of ulumaika contests, needs to be cleared of thick shrubbery. Through concerted efforts, a legacy of Hawaiian culture ean be preserved for future enjoyment and use as a learning experience for our people. Interested volunteers may contact members of Hui Ho'opakele 'Aina for more details. Edward Ayau is an attorney with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation.