Surrounded by a yellow painted circle, trying to push their opponent as two students both stand on one leg while holding each other’s hands, BYU–Hawaii students competed in the annual Makahiki games on Nov. 17, organized by Seasider Sports and Activities.
The Makahiki games are “the ancient Hawaiian games the people of Hawaii used to celebrate,” explained Brandyn Akana, senior manager for Seasider Sports and Activities. A variety of Hawaiian games such as the Hukihuki (tug of war), Haka Moa (standing chicken fight), ‘o’o ihe (spear throwing), Moa Pahe’e (dart throwing/sliding), and Uma (arm wrestling) were set up in the Flag Circle so people could challenge others as they participated.
Despite the rain pouring down during the beginning of the activity, students still came with positive attitudes and were ready to play and have fun. Florentine Pedron, a senior from Tahiti studying hospitality and tourism management, said when she heard about the event, she did not hesitate to think about joining. Pedron said she came because she wanted “to learn more about the Hawaiian culture.”
Maran Guzman, a sophomore from Wyoming studying psychology, said the activity was her first time playing Hawaiian games and a very unique experience for her. She was able to participate in all the events, except the running events. She got third place for the Uma (arm wrestling) challenge.
“I liked the arm wrestling… That was fun, but I also really liked the unique games I’ve never experienced before, like the bowling and the spear throwing. I also liked the spear throwing because... it was a different way of being active,” said Guzman.
Other then the weather, one of the challenges Akana and his crew also faced was the manger in the middle of the Little Circle. “It was something we just worked around because the Christmas lighting is going to be in a couple of weeks, so they’re starting to set it up.”
With the help of his team, they were able to do the games outside the manger’s area and were still able to continue with the activity.
Pedron said the Seasider Sports and Activities team were full of energy and enthusiasm during the event. She shared how she made new friends, enjoyed the food, and suggested to the team to “maybe put on Hawaiian music instead of modern music to match the theme of the activity,” for next year’s games.
Iliesa Malani, a senior from Fiji studying computer science, said the Makahiki games opened his perspective on Hawaiian culture. “I never knew a lot about Hawaiian culture, but events like these help me see what Hawaiian culture is all about.”
Guzman shared how activities like the Makahiki games “get the students more involved… It gets students to come closer together and be able to share these experiences with the people around them, share these experiences with the people back home, and introduce diversity.”
Akana said seeing the students cheer for each other made him happy. “With the run, everybody’s cheering on fellow students whether they’re from the South Pacific, Asia, or from the [United] States. Everybody was rooting for each other, and that’s what I love best about this activity and event.”
Writer: Esther Insigne