Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 10, 1 October 1990 — Makahiki at Waimea Falls Park [ARTICLE]

Makahiki at Waimea Falls Park

The annual Waimea Falls Park Makahiki festiva! takes plaee this year Friday through Sunday, Oct. 5-7 at Waimea Falls Park. This 13th year the festival features Hawaiian music, ancient hula, and traditional Hawaiian sports, art and crafts, contemporary island food and entertainment. The traditional Lono ritual will be conducted to begin the festival, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5. In ancient Hawaii, the makahiki was a time when all work and warfare ceased and gave way to feasting, dancing and sporting events to celebrate and

honor the ancient god of rain and agriculture, Lono. Four rituals will be performed by members of the Halau O Waimea. The "kapu Kuapola" is a ritual performed as the stars of the makahiki begin to appear as seen by an astronomer. The "kapu maki'i lohelohe" is a ritual to bless the temple structures. The "kapu ka'i oloa" ritual unites the men with the Nali'i wahine of the priesthood of Papa. The lono ritual will be held at the "Hale O Lono" historical site, adjacent to the visitors' center.