Date: Feb. 3, 2009
Contact:  808-535-3230

  U.S. Coast Guardsmen, Auxiliary join Molokai
residents for ancient Native Hawaiian festival

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Henderson, U.S. Coast Guard
and Flotilla Cmdr. Diane Roloson, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

KAUNAKAKAI, Hawaii -- U.S. Coast Guardsmen from units on Kauai and Maui teamed with local Coast Guard Auxiliarists on Molokai to participate in a Native Hawaiian festival featuring ancient ceremonies and games. For many of the Coast Guardsmen, it was their first glimpse of authentic Hawaiian traditions and an opportunity to share their Coast Guard stories with Molokai natives.

The crew of the cutter Kittiwake, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, and a boat crew from Station Maui joined Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 140-03-25 crews for the 28th annual Ka Molokai Makahiki events, Jan. 31, 2009. This event celebrated the Hawaiian tradition of giving gifts to the "alii" (the ruling chief) and competing in team games.

In addition, the Coast Guardsmen held open houses for Molokai residents onboard the 87-foot coastal patrol boat and a 47-foot motor lifeboat.

The games began after Chief Petty Officer Shawn Brooks and Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Brooks, both crewmembers aboard the Kittiwake, presented a gift in the opening ceremony, which included native Hawaiian chants and a traditional hula.

Children and teenagers competed in the events first, and then the adults finished the day. There were 10 different events, including the Haka Moa, Hukihuki, Kukini, Mao Pahe`e, O`o Ihe, Pa Uma, Pohaku Ho`oikaika, Ulu Maika, and Uma. All three Coast Guard teams did very well, taking second and third place in some events, with the Molokai residents finishing first.

"We didn't win first place in any of the games, but being part of the traditional Hawaiian cultural events is something I will never forget," said Seaman Tara Blevins, a Kittiwake crewmember originally from Yucca Valley, Calif. "It's not every day we get to watch historic dances and chants and then be involved in that piece of history."

Each event involved a Coast Guardsman competing against a Molokaiian. Many of the games are very similar to some of the popular games played today like bowling, tug-of-war and arm wrestling. The only difference is many of the games are played with stones, wood or standing up and on one leg.

"It's interesting how close to their native Hawaiian roots the residents of Molokai are," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher McFarland, a boatswain's mate aboard the Kittiwake and a Groton, Conn., native. "I've never seen these chants or games played this way on any of the other islands."   

Along with the ceremony and games that were held in downtown Kaunakakai, the residents also staged an arts and crafts gala and cookout.

The traditional Makahiki festival occurs at the end of the harvest season and is one of the most important festivals of the Hawaiian culture, said Paul Elia, a Molokai craftsman who looks forward to the annual event and the Coast Guard's participation.

While Coast Guard crewmembers experienced something different in seeing traditional Hawaiian events, Molokai residents also experienced something different through tours of the patrol boat and motor lifeboat. More than 150 residents ventured aboard and spoke with Coast Guardsmen and Auxiliarists about the service and its missions.

"Not only did we get to participate in all the events, we also got to interact with many families who have never seen a Coast Guard boat before," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Batton, of Kalaheo, Hawaii, and a boatswain's mate assigned aboard the Kittiwake.

For the past 28 years, the Auxiliary in Molokai has sponsored different Coast Guard teams in the Ka Molokai Makahiki. Coast Guard crewmembers are always excited, enthusiastic and ready to participate in traditional Hawaiian ceremonies in an effort to help preserve the ancient culture, said Coast Guard Auxiliarists. 

Game definitions:

• Haka moa, also known as the chicken fight, is when two wrestlers stand on a single leg while holding the other ankle behind them, and linking one hand to hand. The goal is to knock down or push the other person out of the circle.
• Hukihuki is the Hawaiian name for the tug-of-war.
• Kukini, meaning to run swiftly, includes 100-meter and 440-meter runs.
• Moa pahe`e is much like a short, wooden dart that is slid across the grass in through a small rectangular target.
• O`o`Ihe is much like spear throwing at three different objects.
• Pa uma is another form or arm wrestling, but standing up instead of sitting down.
• Pohaku Ho`oikaika is just like the shot-put, but with a large stone.
• Ulu maika is much like lawn bowling, but with a small stone about three or fours inches in diameter that is rolled through a small rectangular target.
• Uma is the same as hand wrestling, but the players lay on the ground. 

NOTE: For more information about this release, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Henderson at 808-535-3230 or visit www.uscghawaii.com for still photos. 

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