Ancient Hawaiians–both men and women– competed in as many as 150 games during their annual, four-month-long Makahiki Festival.
For hundreds of years, ancient Hawaiians—both men and women—enjoyed and participated in sports and games of all kinds. Except during specified kapu times, which halted or restricted certain activities, competitions were a part of daily life. The main event of the sporting year was Makahiki, a four-month-long harvest festival that took place from mid-October to mid-February.
The celebration honored Lono, the Hawaiian god of rains and fertility and everyone was barred from warring and other activities by the kapus during this time. An important part of the ancient games focused on individual competition over team athletics and served as a training ground for warriors. The activities emphasized building strength, stamina, dexterity, intelligence, and demonstrated their talents with weapons such as spears and darts that were basic to the battlefield, where hand-to-hand combat prevailed.
The royal Alii and those from the general population competed under common rules, with the best athletes going up against top performers from other districts or islands. Chiefs would arrange large playing fields marked with colorful banners, where they hosted as many as 150 different games during Makahiki that could attract upwards of 8,000 spectators for major events. Many of the game participants showed off their agility or sheer strength, such as hefting heavy stones or engaging in contact sports like wrestling and bareknuckle boxing. The elite fighters were often bodyguards for the royals.
The ancient Hawaiians also enjoyed racing, with some forms using cartwheels and somersaults to propel themselves. Many of the fastest runners were specially trained and served as messengers for Alii. One of the few team sports involved tug of wars that saw each of the groups trying to drag the other across a designated line.
The Alii often heavily bet on the outcomes of the games and their champions. Some of the games were pretty brutal and could even be to the death, so the stakes were obviously high for the athletes, as well. Even commoners participated and competed to honor their families, with winners gaining some notoriety throughout the islands.
Today, Hawaii is still a premier platform for athletes of all description and all manner of sporting events; however, most are less grueling and painful as their ancestral beginnings. Throughout the year, and not just during Makahiki months, local residents and athletes from around the world are drawn to the Islands to compete in such activities as marathons, triathlons, swimming contests, tennis tournaments, biking exhibitions, football games, fishing competitions, surfing championships, and dance competitions.
Whether as an observer or competitor, be at the heart of all of the action on Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort on the island’s best beach and at the Royal Kona Resort on the “Big Island” of Hawaii. For more information on both properties, go to www.hawaiihotels.com.