KSK Middle School celebrates Makahiki

November 19, 2015

Makahiki season is here! In ancient times, Hawaiians celebrated the bounty of the land by stopping work to enjoy sports, feasting, dancing and renewing communal bonds.

Today, the tradition of competing in games continues. KS Kapālama Middle School students compete for the honor of representing the campus at Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki Festival held each January.

KSK social studies teachers Brad Cooper and Zeoma Akau organize the play-off system. All seventh and eighth grade students participate in ten events including kōnane (Hawaiian checkers), ‘ulu maika (lawn bowling), moa pāhe‘e (dart sliding).

Eventually, champions in each event emerge and the final Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki Team is set with 10 kāne (males) and 10 wāhine (females). In addition, one male and one female are chosen to compete in all ten events as decathletes or, ‘ano loa.

KS photographer Michael Young was on hand to capture the highlights of the competition that took place recently at the campus’ Kaʻiwakīloumoku Hawaiian Cultural Center.

Middle school Hawaiian language teacher Poki‘i Seto officiates this uma match, arm wrestling on the ground. Each year, seventh and eighth graders compete in 10 sports for the honor of representing the campus at Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki Festival held each January.

Teachers Charlene Christensen and Mahina Lui-Kwan check students in for moa pāheʻe - dart sliding through two small stakes in the ground.

Students warm up during a practice round for moa pāhe‘e.

Students take aim for ‘ō‘ō ihe - spear throwing at targets which were banana stumps in this case.

A student shows good form in ‘ulu maika, a game similar to lawn bowling using cylindrical stones.

Students compete in the final round of pā uma, the standing form of arm wrestling where opponents try to force each other to the ground of out of the ring.

Middle school Instructional Observer Tatiana Fox officiates the kōnane finals. Kōnane is a board game similar to checkers.

Social studies teachers and event advisors Zeoma Akau and Brad Cooper check the competition results.

Photo galleries

KSK Middle School celebrates Makahiki

Kawaiaha‘o Plaza

KS Hawai‘i

KS Kapālama

KS Maui