Haleakalā National Park Celebrates Beginning of Makahiki

A visitor plays ulumaika (lawn bowling) at Kīpahulu. PC: Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park will offer special programs and activities to celebrate the beginning of the Makahiki season on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, 2016

On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Headquarters Visitor Center (located at the 7,000 ft. elevation) in the Summit District, staff will demonstrate and teach: ʻupena (throw net); ʻulumaika (“lawn bowling”); and hula. Displays at headquarters will include kaula (cordage); kuilāʻī (rain cape); kapa (bark cloth); and nā mea hoʻokani (hula instruments).

At the Haleakalā Visitor Center (located at the 10,000 ft. elevation) in the Summit District, staff will demonstrate and teach palaʻie (ball and loop game that tells the story of a bird traveling to find food for its family); ʻulana (lauhala weaving); kōnane (Hawaiian checkers); and “Who plays hu?” which is a Hawaiian version of a spinning top.

Ranger Walter shows visitors how to play konane. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

At 7 p.m. on Dec. 3, there will be a special evening program about Traditional Navigation offered at the Supply Trailhead in the Summit District, along the Hosmer Grove Campground Road (the first left after the Summit entrance station).

On Sunday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., staff in the Kīpahulu District will demonstrate and teach ʻupena (throw net), ʻulana (lauhala weaving); kōnane (Hawaiian checkers); and coconut weaving. Displays will include mats, baskets, fans, cordage and waʻa (canoe).

Makahiki is the season of Lono, deity of agriculture, fertility, peace, and healing. It is a period of peace and celebration marked by sports, feasting, games, and hula. The season begins when the Makaliʻi (Pleiades) come into the night sky and lasts for approximately four months.