Photo By Kristen Wong | Douglas Wadsworth, chief of staff, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, competes in the ‘ulu...... read more read more
Subscribe
WAIMANALO, Hawaii — Military representatives joined the local community in celebrating a Hawaiian “Thanksgiving” in a ceremony at Bellows Beach, Nov. 22, 2014.
The Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo hosted its fifth annual Makahiki, which was open to the public.
“Paralleling the western tradition of Thanksgiving, the Makahiki at Waimanalo will not only help to improve relationships between the military, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian communities, but also establish an awareness of the rich pre-western Hawaiian traditions and history of the lands surrounding Waimanalo,” wrote Kui Mahoe, the Makahiki chairperson from the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo in the event program.
Members of the community formed a procession during the ceremony. Each group took their turn presenting a ho‘okupu, or offering. Col. Eric W. Schaefer, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, presented a small lauhala box adorned with a red anthurium, and carrying an avocado.
“With each year we have growth,” said Kahu Roy Brooks, one of the founders of the Waimanalo Makahiki and member of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo. “We have expanding participation, more information that has been gathered by our community, by our children in school so you know that they’re learning more about our culture by how they respond.”
Air Force Master Sgt. Enrique Barrera, the superintendent of security forces at Bellows Air Force Station, stood behind Schaefer in the ceremony. On behalf of Bellows AFS, Barrera offered two papayas.
“We want (the local community) to know that we represent Bellows (AFS) and we’re here (and) we’re (a) part of the Waimanalo community,” Barrera said.
Barrera said this was his first Makahiki celebration and he was excited to see what it was all about.
The ancient Hawaiian celebrated Makahiki from October through January, and honored Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture, peace, rain and health. During Makahiki, no one is allowed to wage war. Instead, the people ate and played games.
Members of the community were divided into different age groups and rotated among various competitive game stations. The games played were three of those traditionally played by ancient Hawaiians during Makahiki season: ‘Ulu maika, moa pahe‘e and ihe pahe‘e. An ulu maika is a stone, usually shaped like a disc, according to “The Hawaiians of Old” by Lilinoe Andrews, Miki‘ala Ayau, Liana I. Honda, Julie Stewart Williams.
Competitors attempt to roll the disc between two small posts. The moa pahe‘e are wooden darts, Kahu Shad Kane explained to the crowd during the event. He said during war time, women would throw the moa pahe‘e to distract enemies and help their husbands. During Makahiki, competitors attempt to throw the moa pahe‘e between two posts. Guests also played with ‘o ‘o ihe, or sharpened wooden spears. Competitors would throw the spears and try to make them stick into banana tree stumps.
After games, attendees enjoyed lunch, storytelling and entertainment. For Brooks, the most rewarding part of the day was highlighting the kupuna, or the elder local community members.
“Our families are becoming more aware of our cultural place, our cultural presence and the importance (of) bringing our children into that same place,” Brooks said.
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2014 20:04 |
| Story ID: | 149126 |
| Location: | WAIMANALO, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Service members join Hawaiian harvest festival, by Kristen Wong, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT