After Makahiki had begun, everyone gathered at midnight and made their way to the beach or freshwater pond. Hawaiian men, women and children bathed in the clean water in a purification ceremony called hiʻuwai. Hawaiians cleansed themselves of the past...
The beginning of Makahiki was marked with the sighting of Nāhuihuiamakaliʻi. This star constellation is more commonly known as Makaliʻi which means “little eyes” The western name for this constellation is “Pleiades” or “the Seven Sisters” Once the kāhuna located...
The Hawaiians were hard-working people and so the time of Makahiki was joyous as work was forbidden. Also forbidden was war and certain kapu (law) Makahiki was celebrated with a harvest festival in honor of Lono, one of the four...
We invite you on a journey to experience Makahiki, a Hawaiian tradition observing a four-month span reserved for celebration of the new year, peace, and thanks. The tasks of day-to-day life, war, and certain kapu (laws) were suspended to allow...
