Pearl Harbor Celebrates Annual Makahiki

November 11, 2009
By Mass Communication Specialist
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Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (Sw) Mark Logico

Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - Members of the Native Hawaiian community joined military families Oct. 24 to celebrate the eighth annual Moku Umeume (Ford Island) Makahiki (festival) near the historic World War II control tower at Ford Island.

Organized by the Oahu Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Moku Umeume Makahiki featured Native Hawaiian songs, exhibition games and other cultural celebrations dedicated to Lono, the deified guardian of agriculture, rain, health and peace.

“The annual Makahiki at Moku Umeume is an important celebration of the past that will help redefine our relationship as contemporary people of Hawaii for the future,” said Shad Kane, a representative of the Oahu Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. “It parallels the Western tradition of Thanksgiving. With respect to the Moku Umeume Makahiki, it will not only help to improve relationships between the military and Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian community, but also establish an awareness of the rich pre-Western Hawaiian traditions and history of the lands surrounding Moku Umeume.”

The celebration started with canoes making safe passage from Iroquois Point at Ewa Beach toward the seaplane ramp on Ford Island. The canoes carried the 13-foot-tall standard symbolizing the arrival of Lono. Following a Hawaiian chant and blessing, conch shell blowers herald the arrival of Lono to begin the procession to the Makahiki location near the control tower.

After the arrival of Lono near the control tower, Kane welcomed the participants and guests and spoke to them about the history of the Oahu Makahiki and the Hawaiian’s Tahitian ancestors. Also as part of the celebration, the participants demonstrated some Makahiki games popular in Hawaii’s past.

“Since Lono was the embodiment of all the characteristics of peace and welfare, all warfare was strictly forbidden during the time of the Makahiki,” said Kane. “This focus on health and welfare made games of skill that tested a healthy body and mind a focal point of the Makahiki games.”

One of the canoe paddlers, Bob Lauder, took part of the festivities for the first time.

“It’s really awesome, because I’ve been in Hawaii for four years, and it has given me an opportunity to learn about the culture and get more assimilated into the Hawaiian ways,” Lauder said. “It’s wonderful.”