Rains Abundant for Ka Molokai Makahiki

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff  

Photo courtesy of Ka Molokai Makahiki.

This year’s Ka Molokai Makahiki celebration, the planned to be first community-wide observances in three years, kicked off last Thursday with Ka’ahele a Lono traversing the footsteps of the kupuna starting in Halawa Valley. Shouldering the 40-pound lei-draped banner of Lono, Molokai residents embarked on a planned four-day march across the island to Hale O Lono. 

“After two long years, the games are finally back!” wrote Ka Molokai Makahiki committee on their Facebook page. “As we reflect on the lessons learned during the pandemic and forge our way into this new era, we re-focus our energies this makahiki season back to our piko, our Molokaʻi ʻ ōpio, and dedicate this year to growing our community. Our theme, ‘Hōʻeu, kukupu, ʻīnana. Kū i luna o ka moku’ translates to mean, ‘Awaken, rise up, and activate your potential. Take the lead here on this island.’ The theme is recognized as a call to our youth on Molokai to rise up and ʻauamo kuleana as future leaders and protectors of our island and community. May the older generation pass the torches of wisdom while the fires are still burning, so that our ʻōpio might see the path laid before them and not be led astray.”

Photo courtesy of Ka Molokai Makahiki.

Thursday evening, community members gathered at Mitchell Pauole Center for a screening event of the Hawaiian Soul feature film honoring Molokai’s own, George Helm. A crowd-sourcing Moaʻe Molokai event also helped identify people in old archival photos from Molokai.

Community spirit was on full display in the adult competitions on Friday evening.

In front of their families, friends and community members, the athletes delivered gutsy performances in the men’s and women’s decathlon. They competed hard and supported each other in events ranging from spear throwing, huki huki, haka moa and more. 

Pono Chow came away with the victory in the men’s category after a game of konane broke a tie for first. In the women’s category, Suliana Aki walked away with a clear first place finish. 

Anticipation of the keiki competitions Saturday morning was high, but torrential downpours and dangerous flooding island wide put a halt to Makahiki celebrations, with completion of both the Ka’ahele a Lono and Saturday opening ceremonies and competitions postponed until further notice.