7. HŌLUA
• n. Sled, especially the ancient sled used on
grassy slopes; the sled course. Papa hōlua,
sled. Heʻe hōlua, to ride a hōlua sled; the hōlua
course
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Notas do Editor
One of the most popular sports in old Hawai`i Traditionally played only by men, but today both children and adult of both sexes play Its name comes from the original bowling object using - `ulu. Later the disks were made of stone, but still called `ulumaika As a test of strength, the players roll the stone discs or maika as far as possible down a smooth course on the playing field As a demonstration of skill or accuracy, contestants roll the maika between two stakes on a smooth, grassy playfield. The stakes may be placed 8 to 10 inches apart These conditions may be varied according to the age and skill of the players. The set up should be difficult enough to challenge the player but not made impossible
For boys and girls from age 10 to adults Moa pahee was made of hard woods such as the `ūlei or kauila Contestants slide a torpedo-shaped dart called moa over a grassy field as a test of skill or strength Sliding the moa can be difficult to control
Indigenous plant A very tough and versatile plant, the ‘Ulei wood can be carved into fishing spears and digging sticks, or bent into hunting bows or hoops for fish nets. The flowers and fruits are also used for lei making.
Endemic
For boys and girls age 10 to adult Players use a hardwood spear about 5 to 6 feet long `ūlei, kauila or sometimes a lightweight spear made of hau was used One has a thick, rather blunt end and the other end is sharp Players throw the spear with considerable force, sharp end first, into the stalk of a banana plant In earlier days, this sport trained the young men for war The banana stalk, which represented the human body, was cut into 4 to 6 foot lengths and secured in an upright position by driving a sturdy stake in the ground and tying the banana stalk to it
According to Pūku`i, the courses were strewn with kō flowers to make them suitably fast Made of māmane or uhiuhi wood Curved upward at the front such that they resemble the fore end of a canoe float Cross pieces lashed to the runners support a platform about 10 feet long but very narrow Rails are lashed to the outer ends of the crossbars held in position by pieces of split `ohe wrapped with kapa Slung between them is lauhala matting that formed the rider’s support After a running start, the rider threw his body onto the matting and clung to the rails as the sled proceeded downhill
One of the most exciting and noble sports of the kanaka maoli Practiced equally by king, chief and commoner Both sexes and all ages Practiced surfing without boards (kaha nalu – swooping on the waves) as well as surfing with a board (he`e nalu – sliding on the waves) Short boards (alaia) and long boards (olo) Short boards were usually made of `ulu or koa wood and were about 6 feet long and 16 inches wide Long boards were approximately 20 feet long and were cut from the light wood wiliwili tree Back then, long boards were usually made of koa wood instead of wiliwili Process of making papa he`enalu were similar to that of making a canoe hull When the boards had been cut out, they were smoothed Boards were stained black with the root of the kī plant (mole kī) or with the juice from pounded kukui bark and ultimately rubbed with either kukui or niu oil
Endemic
Boys and girls 9 years and older Children as young as 9 can make their own loop and ball Pala`ie consists of a flexible handle which ends in a loop and a ball, slightly larger than the loop. The ball is attached to the handle by a cord long enough to allow it to swing onto the loop The object of the game is not merely to catch the ball in the loop, though that may provide enjoyment for younger children. The objective was often to see who could go the longest without missing the loop. The real challenge comes from holding the handle horizontally and swinging the ball from the bottom of the loop to the top by describing a complete circle with the ball. Made from nī`au – freshly cut coconut leaf midribs that are braided together to produce a flat, firm handle for the pala`ie The ball is made from the `a`a niu or scraps of kapa – which forms at the base of the coconut leaf and is attached to the handle by aho (cordage)
n. A spinning top. Children 6 to 12 years old Spinning kukui nut tops Make a hole in the center of the nut (in the groove) Sliver of bamboo or nī`au from lau niu
nvi. String figure, cat's cradle; to make such. Probably made of hau Playing with string and looping it around fingers According to history, there are more than 115 types of hei For all ages Many island children traditionally knew how to make a number of string figures Often chanted as you created the figure Used for storytelling The chants that accompany it will generally explain what itʻs referencing Used with children because it helped to improve memory, keeps attention and helps in developing coordination skills The more elaborate hei required two loops of string and two people who sat facing each other, lacing and interlacing their strings and chanting until the figure was finished