Ancient Hawaiian Games

Makahiki is the time in Hawaiian culture from the crescent moon to the new moon where the constellation Pleiades is visible in the sky. During these three or four months, the Hawaiians played games that challenged both their minds and bodies. The games were played during a time of peace. War and fighting stopped to honor the Tiki god Lono and the games were a homage to him. These games would draw up to 8,000 people from miles away. Hawaiians often gambled away land, fortunes and even their own lives on the outcomes of these games.

  1. Konane

    • Konane is a game similar to checkers. It is traditionally played on a "papamu konane" or flat surface. Ancient Konane games were played on a flat lava rock, but today's games are played on boards. The game board is full of holes that are used to hold black and white pebbles. The main hole in the board was often lined with human teeth. The purpose of the game was to capture or sacrifice men. Game boards could range in size from 64 holes to 250 holes. The size of the board determined the length of the game. These ancient game rocks are still seen in many Hawaiian parks today.

    War Games

    • Ancient Hawaiians spent half of the year in battle with opposing tribes. Wars were fought for land and crops. During peaceful times, the ancient games focused on building muscle and practicing fighting techniques. These games consisted of spear throwing, shark spearing, foot and chest pushing, wrestling and even hand-to-hand combat. Foot and chest pushing is when opponents lay down and push their feet together until one person gives up or they stand facing each other and push chests together until one person gives up. These types of games built fighting and hunting skills and endurance.

    Stone Rolling

    • Stone rolling is similar to horse shoes. Hawaiia's were on teams and took turns rolling stones at a pole or stick in the ground. The stone that lands closest to the pole is the winning stone or earns a point. This game developed hand-eye skills and was also a way to pass the time for both men and women. Stone rolling was popular throughout all the tribes and was a game that many gambled on. Stone rolling was seen at family events and tribal celebrations aside from the Makahiki games.

    Sledding

    • Sledding is not just for winter sports. Hawaiians built stone ramps down steep hills for sledding games in ancient times. The ramps were lined with beardgrass or sugar cane leaves to make them slippery. Hawaiians made "papa holua" --- or wooden sleds --- to use on the ramps. Well constructed sleds and ramps could obtain speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Children were allowed to be a part of this game by sledding on large banana leaves.