Sunday, October 28, 2012. The Common Room was warm with hand-made brown paper bag Konane boards, jars of black and white li'i (stones) Sounds of Hawaii on the stereo and a dozen neighbors from So. Whidbey moku. We had a very good time! What's it like to know you have a comfortable common space to gather with your neighbors? Let me tell you it is nearly as wonderful as swimming in warm Waimanalo Beach ocean water on a clear Hawaiian morning.
Makahiki, The Hawaiian New Year is a month-old. Our first Konane On Whidbey gathering opened with the sounds of 'oli, a chant asking for guidance and wisdom to clear space for fun, warm-heartedness and thanksgiving. E Ho Mai. The words of the chant written by Auntie Edith Kanaka'ole are included here. Mahalo to the late Kumu John Lake for his beautiful rendition of this substantial prayer.
We made paper bag playing boards from brown grocery bags, used pencils to mark the thirty-six spaces and shared the two jars of playing pieces. A simple flow of acceptance and fun filled the two hours as pairs of players learned to set up the Konane board; experienced the movement of black and white stones; and chatted with one another.
I made haupia (coconut pudding) to share, apologizing for its running texture it was enjoyed anyway. It tasted coconutty like it is meant to taste but somehow I'm missing something. One of our Konane folks wants to experiment with the recipe for next time. So I gladly pass the torch (thanks Mara!).
We look forward to doing this again next month. Stay tuned or get a hold of us if you'd like to come play.
Mahalo to The South Whidbey Commons for the uncommon Common Room. And to our neighbors and friends who joined us at the boards: how fun it was to play with you.
A hui hou,
Mokihana and Pete
Makahiki, The Hawaiian New Year is a month-old. Our first Konane On Whidbey gathering opened with the sounds of 'oli, a chant asking for guidance and wisdom to clear space for fun, warm-heartedness and thanksgiving. E Ho Mai. The words of the chant written by Auntie Edith Kanaka'ole are included here. Mahalo to the late Kumu John Lake for his beautiful rendition of this substantial prayer.
We made paper bag playing boards from brown grocery bags, used pencils to mark the thirty-six spaces and shared the two jars of playing pieces. A simple flow of acceptance and fun filled the two hours as pairs of players learned to set up the Konane board; experienced the movement of black and white stones; and chatted with one another.
I made haupia (coconut pudding) to share, apologizing for its running texture it was enjoyed anyway. It tasted coconutty like it is meant to taste but somehow I'm missing something. One of our Konane folks wants to experiment with the recipe for next time. So I gladly pass the torch (thanks Mara!).
We look forward to doing this again next month. Stay tuned or get a hold of us if you'd like to come play.
Mahalo to The South Whidbey Commons for the uncommon Common Room. And to our neighbors and friends who joined us at the boards: how fun it was to play with you.
A hui hou,
Mokihana and Pete
