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.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
