Eight contenders will compete in the inaugural Ka Makou Kōnane Invitational Tournament at Bishop Museum on Oʻahu—the first of its kind in modern Hawaiʻi.
Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian board game, similar to checkers, that requires strategic and analytical skill. Two competitors from qualifying events on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island will convene in the championship tournament, the highlight event of this month’s Museum After Hours on Friday, Feb. 13.
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When Makaliʻi, known as Pleiades, reached a certain position in the sky above the Islands, it marked the arrival of Makahiki season in ancient Hawaiʻi. Typically lasting from mid-November to late January or early February, Makahiki season ushered in the Hawaiian new year and coincided with the rainy season. Dedicated to the god Lono, this period was marked by peace, rest, agricultural harvest and religious observance. War was prohibited, and traditionally, games and celebrations took place throughout the season.
Traditional games included ʻulu maika, which involved rolling carefully crafted stone disks; moa paheʻe a game that consisted of sliding wooden darts; and ʻōʻō ihe a spear-throwing contest. These games showcased the players’ physical strength, agility and precision.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Games like kōnane, however, tested mental acumen and strategy. Ancient Hawaiians played kōnane on a papamū, or game board, which was often made from large stones with shallow holes chipped into them to form a grid. The holes were filled with little black and white pebbles or ʻiliʻili, which served as the playing pieces. One of the most compelling aspects of kōnane is that papamū came in a variety of configurations, meaning each game could present new challenges.
In partnership with Pā Kōnane, Ka Hale Hoaka, Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center and HawaiianCheckers.com, Bishop Museum invites all to witness the inaugural Ka Makou Kōnane Invitational Tournament. Guests can enjoy an evening of strategic competition while learning more about Hawaiian traditions.
Adding to the historical significance of the event, the final championship match will be played on a wooden papamū kupuna. The board is from the Bishop Museum Ethnology Collection and has not been used for play in well over a century, making the tournament a powerful moment of cultural revival that connects the past to the present.
To learn more and to reserve tickets, visit bishopmuseum.org/konane2026.
