A light rain refreshed keiki on Wednesday they played traditional Hawaiian games to celebrate Makahiki.
Na Wai Ola Public Charter School in Mountain View hosted a Makahiki event with students, parents and teachers, so the keiki could learn about the traditions that surround Makahiki, which is a season of peace, abundance and renewal.
Makahiki, traditionally a period of several months, aligns with the rainy season in Hawaii. The season is dedicated to the god Lono, and during this time, all major work and warfare was paused.
In ancient times, tributes were offered to Lono through crafts, clothing and food with the hope that Lono would provide blessings like rainfall and bountiful crops.
After completing the process, it was time to play games and relax to celebrate the year of hard work.
In the modern era, the season also comes at a good time, as many families come together and take breaks from work and school to celebrate the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day.
“I love the rain during Makahiki — it’s what it’s all about,” said Na Wai Ola registrar Nohelani Javellana. “This is the time to reflect and a time to refresh ourselves after stress, so the rain coming in always feels right.”
No weather could dampen the mood of the keiki as they took turns competing in games such as, haka moa, a traditional one-arm, one-leg wrestling match, ‘o‘o ihe, a spear-throwing game, and hukihuki, which is tug-of-war.
While fun on the surface, Makahiki games were designed to develop the physical, mental and spiritual strength of those who play.
Javellana watched as pairs of students would compete in haka moa, which can bring out more competitive or emotional responses.
“Sometimes, they get their feelings hurt, but that’s part of it. This is a way learn how to be a good sport, even if you lose,” Javellana said.
Before they were able to play, students were tasked with following traditional Hawaiian protocol with support from their kumu and cultural practitioners.
Javellana was excited while listening to the students prepare for the celebration throughout the week.
“When I saw students lead oli today, it made me so emotional, I could just cry thinking about it,” Javellana said. “They spend the week learning to make lei, practicing chants and oli. It’s great seeing them get excited about our culture and become more confident.”
Na Wai Ola is providing a curriculum called Ka Hale Hoaka to improve the ‘Ike Hawaii program, which gives students the opportunity to learn Hawaiian language, knowledge, practices, values and culture in school.
Na Wai Ola students, who are in kindergarten through sixth-grade, fulfill their common core state standards while also taking the ‘Ike Hawaii course.
For more information about the school, visit nawaiolapcs.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com