Molokaʻi makahiki traditions
by: Kumu John Kaʻimikaua
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Hō’alaneo ’ia ka papa lani e Lono
Mai ka puka ‘ana mai o ka lā i Pu'upo’i A hiki i ka piholo o ka lā i Lā’au ’Ae nō maila o Moloka’i Moloka’i nui a Hina |
The firmament of heaven is maele clear by Lono
From the rising ofthe sun at Pu'upo'i Until the setting of the sun at Lā'au Acknowledged as such is Moloka'i Great Moloka'i, child of goddess Hina |
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The chant text is a pre-western, oral documentation that preserves the place names of important locations where the ancient Makahiki ceremonies took place on the island of Moloka’i. On the island of Moloka’i, the first night of the rise of the star constellation known as the Makali'i (Pleiades), Kahuna of Lono gathered at Ka-Pu’u- Po‘i, the eastem most tip of Moloka‘i, and watched for the first sightings of the Makali‘i over the island of Maui. When the star the Makali’i was sighted. ceremonies would begin at Ka-Pu'u-Po‘i that would signal the beginning of the Makahiki season therefore: dedicating and consecrating the months from October to the ending of January to Lono.
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The Lono priests then proceeded along the coast traveling to Lā’au point: the western most tip of Moloka'i to perform a ceremony called Ka-ipu-kai-o-Lono (The bountiful gourd of Lono). The completion of this ceremony began a yearly phenomenon where great schools of fish would swim in from the deep off of Lā'au and glide in massive schools along the shallows west and south shorelines till Kūmīmī. Along the way, fish would spawn as millions of new hatchlings would restock the shallows of the man-made fishponds.
In ancient Moloka'i, after the ceremonies were completed at Pu'upo’i and Lā’au, people gathered at Nā’iwa for the main Makahiki sports and hula events. The remains of a hula platform, boxing arena, hōlua slide and other sites of the Makahiki can still be seen at Nā’iwa.
In ancient Moloka'i, after the ceremonies were completed at Pu'upo’i and Lā’au, people gathered at Nā’iwa for the main Makahiki sports and hula events. The remains of a hula platform, boxing arena, hōlua slide and other sites of the Makahiki can still be seen at Nā’iwa.
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ka molokaʻi makahiki origins
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Traditional Makahiki festivities were a cornerstone of life in Hawaiʻi, continuing uninterrupted on Molokaʻi until 1919. This season of peace and abundance, dedicated to the god Lono, marked a time when communities paused warfare to celebrate unity, renew their connection to the ʻāina, and engage in ceremonies and games that embodied physical and spiritual strength. By the early 20th century, however, these traditions began to wane due to the effects of colonization and modernization.
In January of 1982, Molokaʻi residents spearheaded efforts to revive Makahiki traditions, recognizing its importance to the cultural identity and unity of the island. The reestablished festival began with traditional athletic games, food, and music, celebrating the season and inspiring renewed pride in Hawaiian culture. This revival coincided with Molokaʻi’s involvement in the movement to stop the bombing of Kahoʻolawe. The reintroduction of Makahiki ceremonies on Kahoʻolawe ultimately contributed to the cessation of bombing, illustrating how cultural practices can drive both social and environmental change. Over the years, Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki has expanded to include canoe races, diving tournaments, surf meets, and island-wide athletic competitions that test skill, strength, and strategy. These events have grown in prominence, attracting competitors from across the state and earning recognition as the ultimate tournament of champions in Hawaiʻi. Through these efforts, Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki continues to restore cultural pride, strengthen community bonds, and ensure the endurance of Hawaiian traditions for future generations. |
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