Namahana Comes Alive with Makahiki Games

 At the turn of the year, Namahana’s temporary campus came alive with the spirit of makahiki. The word “makahiki” can refer to a time of celebration, as this season is the start of the rainy season—a season of peace, celebration, and games. In the makahiki games, students competed in traditional Hawaiian games including kōnane, pā uma, pā ʻumeʻume, haka moa, ulumaika, and moa pāheʻe—bringing energy, laughter, and friendly competition to the day.

Some Namahana champions then went on to represent the school at the island-wide championship at Kauai Community College, joining hundreds of other middle schoolers from all over the Kaua’i (see the recap in “The Garden Island” here). What a memorable week of makahiki games!