PO‘IPU — Bobby Malabana of California took advantage of a lull in keiki to try his hand at Hawaiian throw netting Wednesday at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Traditional Hawaiian Games. Led by Thomas Apilado, an employee with the Kiahuna Plantation,
PO‘IPU — Bobby Malabana of California took advantage of a lull in keiki to try his hand at Hawaiian throw netting Wednesday at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Traditional Hawaiian Games.
Led by Thomas Apilado, an employee with the Kiahuna Plantation, Malabana discovered how the net throwing technique used by Apilado was influenced by the Ni‘ihau people and is different from the net throwing techniques in California. The net throwing station, complete with a school of fish spray painted on the lawn of the Kiahuna Plantation, was one of several non-game stations that provided ample activities for both keiki and adults alike.
On registration, keiki received a ticket listing four traditional Hawaiian games: ulu maika, or lawn bowling, kiloe niu, or coconut toss, o’o ihe, or spear throwing, and kukini, a 50-yard foot race.
“Of course, there are activity stations where people can learn how to make things from coconut fronds, lei making, creating a fan using an animal from the Chinese zodiac and net throwing,” said one of the employees helping with registration. “Once the keiki fills the card, they get a treat.”
Apilado, who just came off of a summer basketball league, said the event was really good because the sports were noncompetitive.
“We have football right around the corner and the kids have a lot of other sports where they compete,” the Kekaha coach said. “It’s good to have events like this where they can simply enjoy the sport and not worry about the competition factor.”
John Kaohelauli‘i, who makes Hawaiian checkers, also known as konane, was visiting the event.
“He should have brought some sets and we would have set up a tent for him,” Apilado said. “The employees at the Kiahuna Plantation did a lot of this on a volunteer basis and offered their talents and services.”
He said there were a lot more people taking advantage of the morning activities, the people coming in waves and thereby allowing people like Malabana to take advantage of the breaks.
Koloa Plantation Days continues through Sunday with the historic parade and celebration in the park taking place Saturday and a Family Fun Run/Walk and the Keoki’s Ukes in Paradise wrapping up this year’s celebration.
Visit www.koloaplantationdays.com for more information.
