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.