by Kalati Gaui

The Hawaiians had a large number of ancient games (pa'ani kahiko); but in the years following the arrival of foreigners they stopped playing the game because the foreigners were coming to their islands. The games played more often in front of these foreigners were hula (dancing), he'e nalu (surfing) and heihei wa'a (canoe racing).

Kukini (foot racing), mokomoko (boxing), hakoko (wrestling ), `au ( swimming), and lu'u (diving), all these sports required no supplies or equipment. Even in old Hawaii, children needed their own games such as lele koali (which is either jumping rope or swinging on a koali vine), kukulu ae'o (walking on stilts), and ho'olele lupe (kite flying).

During the reign of Kauikeaouli, the Hawaiians played many outdoor games to entertain each other. Some of these games were checkers (konane), stone disks (ulu maika), dart throwing (pa'ahe'e), bow and arrow (pana'iole), sledding stick (holua), and sliding (pahe'e).

With the revival of the Hawaiian culture,some of these games have been retaught to the Hawaiian children and are still enjoyed today.