Got game? Gear up for the 4 annual Ka Waimea Makahiki and bring your game! Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Waimea Park, protocol begins at 7 a.m. and the games will commence thereafter.

Ka Waimea Makahiki is a free event for ‘ohana and community to celebrate the Makahiki season and experience the wisdom of our ancestors through ancient Hawaiian games, functional arts and health promoting practices.

In ancient times people stopped laborious work for four months to celebrate the Makahiki season.

The Makahiki season was noted by the rising of the Makali‟i (Pleiades) constellation on the east horizon at sunset. During this time all rigorous work and wars would cease, and honor bestowed upon Lono the god of fertility and peace. Time was spent celebrating the harvest, dancing, telling stories, feasting and playing games.

All games test agility, strategy and sportsmanship. ‘Ulumaika requires an accurate roll of the disc shaped pohaku (rock) down a narrow path for 30 feet, ‘ö‘ö ihe is a spear throwing event aiming for the top of a banana stump, and the all time favorite are the hukihuki tug-of-war competitions.

While the games are the highlight, food, health and art booths offer participants an array of activities and educational opportunities to engage in.

Through hands-on learning participants will create hana no‘eau or cultural arts such as ‘ohe kapala (printing), ‘ohe hanu ihu (nose flute making) and medicinal planting hosted by various local practitioners from Amy Greenwell Botanical Gardens and Kamehameha Schools Resource Center, also Keone Kalawe will present the art of holua sledding.

For more information please contact „Ekela Kahuanui at 887-1117.