Hawaiian children played games after the crops were harvested.
There are many games that children in Hawaii play that do not involve the sand and ocean. Anciently, Hawaiians occasionally suspended wars and taxes for a time to harvest their crops and afterward filled the time with feasting and games. Some of these games are still played today.
Holua Sledding
There are many hills in Hawaii used for holua.
One favorite game of children in Hawaii is called holua. It involves making a sled out of clusters of ti leaves, cardboard or wood. They often attach narrow runners to the bottom and a grip. They choose a steep grassy slope, run to the starting point and throw themselves chest down on the sled. They try to maintain their balance for 150 to 200 yards. This game is similar to snow sledding, but without the snow.
Bilboquet
Bilboquet was recorded by Captain James Cook in his journal.
A game that children have played for centuries in Hawaii is called bilboquet. It involves a ball made of rags that is attached to the middle of a stick about 8 feet long. There is a pocket at one end of the stick and is held by the other end. The object of the game is to swing the ball and catch in inside the pocket. It takes great dexterity and patience to perform it successfully. It is still played today.
Hawaiian Canoe Racing
Similar to toy boats made in other countries, Hawaiian children make canoes.
Children in Hawaii have long been known to make little canoes out of ki leaves and then sail them. Young boys are very ingenious in creating these little toy vessels. Often they use the woody part of the hibiscus for the hull, cords made of bark, and sails made of leaves, with a little stone placed in the bottom to keep them upright. They have contests to see whose boat can go the furthest.
Pit Shooting
Each player tries to flip the beans or pits into the hole.
Children in Hawaii play a game called Pana pana lua, or pit shooting, which involves beans or pits. A hole is dug in the soil beside which all the beans or pits are placed. Then each child takes a turn trying to flip the objects into the hole. The one who is able to flip the last bean in wins. There are variations on the way to flip the objects into the hole.
Tags: beans pits, into hole, Children Hawaii, children Hawaii, flip objects, flip objects into