Makahiki Games @ KCC

The Arrival of the Makahiki Games at KCC (:

Starting in the beginning of December, KCC will be having their very own Makahiki Games! Just to give a bit of background information: the Makahiki Games are a collection of ancient Hawaiian games, almost like the olympics for the ancient Hawaiians. Contestants who participated in these games included trained atheletes, alii (chiefs), and commoners! It was a way to boost morale, revel in the importance of tradition and culture, and help to build community with one another. Most importantly, it was a way for the ancient Hawaiians to pay tribute to Lono, god of rain and fertility, and to ask for help with the next year's crops.

These games showcased the mental and physical strength of the contestants. It helped for warriors to stay active and served as their training and practice opportunities for fights in the future. During the Makahiki Games, ancient Hawaiians were forbidden to engage in work or warfare for four months. Instead, they were tasked to enjoy rituals, feasts, games, and more! Many of the games are still played at events around Hawaii today with Molokai hosting the most well-known event, the Ka Molokai Makahiki since 1981. 

On December 6 from 9AM to 12PM, KCC's own version of the Makahiki Games will be held on the Great Lawn (the giant green pasture at the center of campus). However, the Makahiki Games are not just for show. There will be prizes given to student winners, with one of them being a $500 scholarship going towards your Spring 2019 tuition! 

How the games will be held is very simple. Students can gather up a team of 8 students who will work together in the games. If you do not know how the games are played, you are able to attend a session to learn about how the games work. The teaching of the Makahiki Games will be on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21 from 12:30 - 1:30 PM at the Great Lawn. 

Being that my friends have placed me into a team (to which I reluctantly agreed to), I thought it'd be important for everyone to hear about this event! Hawaii is teeming with culture and traditions that make this place incredibly special and different from other states. It's important to know a bit of our culture and even participate in it once in a while!