Kauai History and Makahiki

Most exchanges and sharing of food, material goods, services, or labor took place within the ‘ohana and operated more as a system of voluntary giving than of barter. This was the basic social unit of the Hawaiian community. The ‘ohana lived in clustered households (kauhale) close to fields and fishing grounds. Groups living nearer the coast would exchange seafoods, salt, gourds, and coconuts for what grew at higher elevations, such as taro, wauke, bananas, olona, medicinal herbs, timber, and thatching materials. Hawaii’s gentle climate meant ancient Hawaiians lived their lives mostly outdoors, pursuing everyday activities in the midst of warm sunshine and gentle breezes. House structures and other buildings were used primarily for storage or as protection against rough weather.

Beginning in late October or early November when the Pleiades constellation was first observed rising above the horizon at sunset, the Makahiki festival marked the end of the yearly farming cycle and continued for four months. Because of the seasonal weather of rough seas, high winds, and heavy rains, activities such as deep-sea fishing were also kapu. Makahiki was a time to pay tribute, a time to cease labors, a time to feast, and enjoy competitive games. Hawaiians gave ritualized thanks for the abundance of the earth and called upon the gods to provide rain and prosperity in the future. They gathered to celebrate with feasts and games like boxing, wrestling, bowling, foot races, marksmanship, guessing games, pageants, chants, and hula dancing. The hula included many chants and dances composed specifically for Makahiki to invoke rain and fertility. Once all the proper rituals and ceremonies were performed, the kapu was lifted on fishing and farming and a basket of food was set adrift on the sea. Normal life resumed and the farming cycle began again.

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