KONANE

Hawaiian Checker game

The game of Konane is an ancient game that was enjoyed in ancient Hawaii by both the ali`i (royalty) and the commoners. It was said that King Kamehameha the Great was an excellent player, sometimes beating his opponent in one move. Early visitors wrote of the popularity of this game and noted that Kamehameha would sit long hours over the game. His skill was so great that his chiefs and queens were no match for him.

This game was played on huge stones called papamu. There are small impressions or puka in the papamu, or playing board, where the playing pieces were placed. In old Hawaii the original game pieces that were used would have been black (`ele`ele) pebbles or white (ke`oke`o or kea) pebbles. Dark and light seashells were also used.

There can be seen around the island of Hawaii papamu that are of different shapes, sizes and weight. Fishermen have come across large rocks along the seashore both in and out of water with impressions numbering up to and beyond 100.

In the following lessons you will be able to learn how to make a wood papamu and a paper papamu; how to set up the papamu, and how to play Konane. You will also be able to use the Hawaiian vocabulary to create your own word puzzles.

Note:Because the computer used for these lessons are not equipped with a Hawaiian Font the Hawaiian words will not have a kahako or an `okina. At a later date, when one is available, these pages will be updated.

Write the definitions for these Hawaiian words:

1. konane

2. ali`i

3. papamu

4. puka

5.`ele`ele

6. ke`oke`o

7. kea