The games are pau

Black and white stones.
18 black, 18 white.
Collect them yourself.
Say thank you when you've found them, 36 in all.
Papamu means playing board.
I'li means small stones.
Play time till there are no moves.
There's a winner.
Like Checkers put different.

We've introduced games, chant, and time for talking story.
 We've had some fun, and now we're done.

See you here and there, and maybe at the boards.

Happy New Year of The Snake, coming February 11th!


 

Konane II (second month) in The Common Room

We were a dozen again in the cozy space called The Common Room. A slow start to the second Sunday of Konane, we filled with familiar faces and new variety of game boards. Two boards made of felt raised the funkiness level of the papamu (konane game boards), and a third simple canvas one just shows how basics can evolve.

More people have gathered their own li'i (black and white stone playing pieces). Yeh! Playing and strategies come with practice. Some of us are very strategic; some of us just like to take the next step and call it good. (what a strategy!)

Mara upgraded the quality of haupia with fresh coconut. Rather than the soupy version I cooked up using canned (but organic!) coconut milk, Konane II's haupia was firm, and delicious finger-food. Luau style.

We included three new players to the games; involved everyone in learning the opening 'oli E HO MAI; and generally got to know one another just a little bit more. Playing the game, talking story and enjoying the welcoming vibes of the space we can share in common: a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Next month:
We gather again.
December 23rd, 2012
1:00 PM- 3:00 PM
We invite any and all comers to bring their music (voices and instruments) for
Konane and Kanikapila (games and music making)

It's FREE to the public. Donations to support The Commons, and Drewslist are welcomed.

Come play with us.
A hui hou,
Mokihana and Pete

We had a wonderful time!

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

Update Scoop #2: Ready to play!

Aloha All,

If the skies above Whidbey are clear this weekend of our first Konane On Whidbey date, we will be blessed with the full lumination of the Taurus Full Moon (by most calendars on Monday, October 29, 2012). The Hawaiian Moon Calendar recognizes Four Full Moons beginning with the Hua phase.

It's a fertile time for making commitments to the things you value, deeply. We're very excited to be hosting this first Konane on Whidbey celebration. Whidbey Moku and in particular the 'aina (land-resources)of South Whidbey has shored up our lives in small and grand ways during the past three years. Pete and I look forward to meeting, playing and enjoying the people of this place.


Just a few thoughts before we meet in The Common Room, Sunday, October, 28, 2012 to play Konane...

• Li'i. Hope you have had a chance to ask and gather your li'i (the 36 small stones) for the game. If not, no worry, we'll pair folks up with those with playing pieces; things will work out just nice.
• 'Ohana. Family is welcome. Keiki (children of all ages) and makua (adults of all ages) are equally welcome.
• Music. Bring your instruments and your voices for kani kapila (making music) if you like ... we have two hours and a wonderful space to be in with no set agenda once we've learned the basics of Konane.
• Mea 'Ai. Good food to share is allowable in The Common Room. I will be making haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding) to share. Feel free to bring pupus (small kine stuff) to share. We have bought a hot pot of hot water and an assortment of teas from South Whidbey Commons. And other beverages & food are available from them too.
• A'ole (without) Fragrances, please. Yes, remember to arrive without perfumes-colognes, essential oils and other scented products. Some folks planning to attend (including Pete and me) are sensitive or allergic to fragrances.

We'll start at 1:00 PM with an 'oli (chant) asking for permission and guidance for this Makahiki Celebration. Come play!

A hui hou,
Mokihana and Pete

Questions or comments? 

Leave them here or email us.

mokihanacalizar@gmail.com

dpete@hotmail.com

Scoops Update #1: Let the Game Begin! at The COMMONS"

Aloha all,

Pete and I are so excited by email received already! Nearly a dozen islanders have said, "I want to learn", "I'm interested" "When and where?  "Sounds like fun." "Learning and laughing. What a good thing for the winter..." Thank you all for your enthusiasm, we love this. Maloha (a Drew word) Drew for posting our event and offering such support for this, and countless other Whidbey Moku goings on.

KonaneOnWhidbey has a confirmed FIRST DATE!

Date:  Sunday, October 28, 2012

Time: 1PM - 3PM

Place: The Common Room at The South Whidbey Commons

Address: 124 Second Street, Langley

 KonaneOnWhidbey get togethers are FRAGRANCE-FREE events. Please plan to arrive free of perfumes-colognes, essential oils, and scented hair products. Some folks attending(including Mokihana and Pete) are sensitive or allergic to fragrances.

In the meantime

One of the things that made Konane meaningful for our family was the gathering of the li'i (the small black and white stones) playing pieces. The game requires 36 small stones: 18 white, 18 black. My son and I walked Double Bluff and collected our Konane playing pieces.We played many games with these li'i in the  orchard when the Whidbey skies were blue, and temperature almost Hawaii-like.  Pete and I have our 36 stones in a Mason jar here in the woods, and we'll bring them with us on Sunday, October 28th.

You might consider taking a beach walk, or a woods walk before we get together to gather your Konane li'i. A very important protocol to follow when gathering stones is to ASK PERMISSION first. Before you walk and before you pick up your stones state your intention and ask for permission to gather.  The asking can be done in your own words, from the heart. When you are pau (done) gathering always say THANK YOU.Konane is a game that has at its base the idea that 'it's not about taking all the marbles' ... makes sense to be respectful every chance you get.

We will be emailing everyone who has emailed us saying they're interesting in learning to play. Some people have expressed interest in helping out; a couple people said they have ukulele; others have said they'd like to bring food. So, the next SCOOPS Update here will include more details as we keep the coconut wireless alive, and ideas jell. Thanks again for your enthusiastic response, we are looking forward to joining you for KonaneOnWhidbey.

A hui hou (until next time) malama pono (take care),

Mokihana and Pete

Leave a comment, or email us with any and all questions.

 Contact 

Mokihana

mokihanacalizar@gmail.com 

Pete

dpete@hotmail.com

Go play! Makahiki (the Hawaiian New Year) begins

Makali'i the constellation the Pleiades is rising in the Eastern sky. From our home in the woods of Langley the small eyes of Makali'i can be seen if you're awake early in the morning sky ... and blessed with a cloudless heaven. Hawaiians mark time along a Lunar Calendar, and celebrate the beginning of a New Year with the rising of the Pleiades as a 'place holder.' Once Makali'i is seen in the eastern sky, it is the first NEW MOON to follow that begins MAKAHIKI, the season of harvest, a cessation of war, and a time for playing games and giving thanks. (Taxes were also traditionally gathered during Makahiki, so there you have it some things are transportable) Monday, October 15, 2012 is NEW MOON and MAKAHIKI.

One of the games of strategy and connection played during Makahiki is KONANE. The ancient two-person board game has been played by chiefs and ali'i, maka'ainana (people of the land), adults and children. Similar to checkers the game is one of jumps-and-takes. However, the similarity ends there. Winning is not about how much you have at the end of the game; the winner is he/she who makes the last move. There is a resurgence of interest in the simple to learn, yet difficult to master board game. My son reintroduced us to KONANE this spring. He took me to Double Bluff where we hunted for the small black and white 'ili (small stones) for playing while makani kama'aina (the familiar winds of that area) blew fiercely at our faces making it a memorable gathering time. Since then our family has made paper papamu (game boards) and sat at the wooden picnic table under the apple tree to play KONANE.

My family would like to invite individuals and families to join us for Makahiki (a four-month celebration beginning October 15) where we'll learn and play KONANE and get to know some new people while we have some fun.

WE'RE JUST SETTING THINGS UP. So there are no experts just us Kupa 'aina (simple island people).
 
I'm looking for a date and time sometime in October to get together with interested folks at THE COMMONS in Langley.

• If you're a Hawaiian, or Hawaiian at heart.
• If you're looking for something fun to do now that the rains are back.
• If you're wanting to talk story, hear some lilting kanaka pidgin, and maybe play some ukulele, and share haupia or something ono like that
• If you're looking for a way to tune your brain waves, and your heart strings 

KONANE On WHIDBEY might be just your speed. Give me or Pete an email if you're interested or curious. Hope to see you at the board.

If you need more incentive to learn more about Konane .... 
While you're thinking about it, check out the sidebar to the right ------> Click on the MOKU TO MOKU link. It will take you to Kauai, beautiful Kauai, where John Kaohelaulii of Hawaiian Checkers.Com is fanning the flames of the konane revival. The website is interactive and educational; and an inspiration to me to grow the love on this moku (island), too. John is a great guy, and the son of one of my dear friends back there in Hawaii nei.

Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year).

A hui hou,
Mokihana and Pete

Leave a Comment here, or Contact us

mokihanacalizar@gmail.com

dpete@hotmail.com