The Hawaiians have always been a highly competitive and skillful people. For hundreds of years they have played at physical games, as well as challenging games of the mind. The Makahiki Festival drew thousands of people from the neighbor islands to a designated gathering place. In order for the Hawaiians to reach the island where the "Festival of Games" would take place, they had to paddle their outrigger canoes, with family on board thru the dangerous ocean channels separating the Islands. Many of these tribal members were warriors and competitors in the games, but thousands also came as spectators, preparing to cheer on their heroic island athletes.
With team flags waving in synchronization with the island's trade winds, your teams enter the colorful games arena.
Following a briefing by the event's coordinator, the various island teams pair off at each of the game areas. As the official gong rings out the festivities are underway.
*At the spear throwing arena the competitors aim for the banana tree trunk targets as the aerodynamic bamboo spears take flight.
*The Ulumaika arena is buzzing with tips and guidance from teammates as the perfectly balanced "maikas" (wheel shaped volcanic stones) are swiftly rolled a good distance, hopefully finding their way between the two narrowly situated ground stakes.
*Then, it's the subtle finesse of the "Kilu" competition. With a skillful flick of the wrist, participants send half gourds spinning along the ground, to land on, or stop a resting place closest to the mark.
*The ancient technique of tripping an opponent in time of battle utilizing a long spear is called "Lono maka Ihe" To compete in this ancient art form today, eight foot wooden spears are accurately slid along the ground and must come to rest between two sets of wooden stakes strategically set at a precise distance from each other.
*Coconut bowling is our modern day version of an ancient Hawaiian game. Our colorfully painted coconuts are rolled on the ground and must hit real bowling pins out of their protective ring. Not only must the pins be knocked over, but the coconut must also remain inside of that particular ring.
* "The Tongan Pull of Strength" is similar to our modern Tug of War, but is further enhanced by the extreme 200 foot length of strong rope and the number of competitors that can participate.
