Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 2015 — Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki

\ative Hawaiians traditionally celebrated Makahiki, a four-month-long season that began in mid-October. The "Makahiki" is a designated period of time following the harvesting season when wars and battles were ceased, tributes and taxes were paid by eaeh district to the ruling chief, sporting eompetitions between districts were organized, ceremonies dedicated to the deity Lono and celebrations of renewal and perpetuation of the

life cycle were commenced. Ka Moloka'i Makahiki is committed to preserving these ancient traditions, especially those specific to Moloka'i. This nonprofit community-based organization that is made up of volunteers has eonhnuously coordinated these cultural traditions and practices throughout the years. This year it will celebrate 35 years of hosting this community event that aligns the Makahiki season with ancient games and festivities that celebrate the Hawaiian New Year. To ensure perpetuation of the culture, the annual Ka Moloka'i Makahiki Festival takes plaee eaeh year in January on Moloka'i and it brings together every school on the island from the elementary schools, middle school and high school. There is no other event in Hawai'i that allows keiki from so many different places to eome together, from both Moloka'i and the neighbor islands, with so mueh aloha andrespect for one another while being a Hawaiian cultural practitioner in their ownright. The event also has an adult category where adults fromMoloka'i as well as fromthe around the state participate against eaeh other in the same events that the kids participate in.

The theme of this year's event is Klpapa na Ho'okupu, o'o ka Pule (When the Ho'okupu are Nearly Bundled and Arranged, the Prayers will be Answered). This theme will be carried on throughout the festival by the series of lectures, land and oeean activities, hands-on art and craft workshops, sporting competitions, oli composition competitions and traditional ceremonies. This event will bring together a record number of participants as

well as observers who will celebrate both the meaning behind this event as well as the friendly competition. All who participate will feel the spirit of Makahiki as they compete in events such as: uma (arm wrestling), kūkini (running races) and 'ulu maika (Hawaiian bowling), just to name a few. While the competition ean get fierce, it remains friendly among participants. They all compete to have fun and it's not all about winning. Moloka'i being such a small eommunity, the families are usually cheering not only for their school but for the other schools as well because they have 'ohana that attend the other schools too. The sportsmanship exhibited by all participants and celebrating Moloka'i is the best part of the festival. Last year not only were there teams from Moloka'i but there were also teams from Maui, Hawai'i Island, O'ahu and even a team fromLos Angeles, California, that competed. I'd like to wish the committee a successful event and thank them for their generosity in organizing this event that keeps Makahiki alive on Moloka'i every year. ■

LEO 'ELELE « TRUSTEE MESSSAGES i

Cūlette Y. Machadū TrustEE Mūlūka'i and Lāna'i