Kendama Craze Featured in Lahaina Tournament

Kendama. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A wooden toy with a Japanese name is the latest trend in playground pageantry on Maui.

The Kendama game utilizes a carved stick and ball that are attached to each other by a string.

The basic idea is to get the ball to land on different parts of the stick; but a practiced player can pull off some sophisticated tricks in the process.

Kendama. Courtesy photo.

The game takes center stage in West Maui, with a Kendama Jam tournament planned from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the Lahaina Cannery Mall.

It comes on the heels of a similar event held in Central Maui two weeks ago that drew an estimated 150 participants to the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.

The Lahaina event is organized by Robert Loera, owner of Maui Toy Works at the Lahaina Cannery Mall.

The tournament features over $500 in prizes, and is open to individuals ages 4 and older, with contestants competing in different age divisions in an elimination style competition.

Advanced registration is recommended with pre-registration available at Maui Toy Works from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2014, one week prior to the event. Cost of entry is $5.

More information is available by calling Maui Toy Works at 808-661-4766 or emailing [email protected].