Makahiki 2021 - Week 7

Sports and games are synonymous with Makahiki.  This stems from a legend of how Lono used boxing and wrestling to overcome his grief of a deceased lover.  Hawaiians carried this tradition on with sports such as kuiʻkuʻi or mokomoko (boxing) hākōkō (wrestling) ‘ōʻō ihe (spear throwing) and kōnane (checkers) While war was not allowed, these games provided young men to demonstrate their skills used during battle. 

Given the Hawaiians' close connection with the ocean, they excelled at water sports.  These included luʻu (diving) ‘au (swimming) and what is now known the world over, heʻe nalu or surfing.  

Did you know the sport of surfing was first introduced to the western world in Santa Cruz in 1885 by Princes David Kawānanakoa, Edward Keliʻiahonui and Jonah Kūhiō  Kalanianaʻole who were attending boarding school in San Mateo.  The historic moment was reported on July 20, 1885, in the Santa Cruz Daily, "The young Hawaiian Princes were in the water enjoying it hugely and giving interesting exhibitions of surf board swimming as practiced in their native land.”

This week are proud to highlight Special Olympics Hawai'i.  Founded in 1968, SOHI offers weekly fitness and sports training for 4200 athletes and unified partners in 10 sports, 3 seasons and 55 competitions yearly.  You can learn more about their mission and help support them at: http://sohawaii.org