A time for peace

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Sherry Caldeira with her daughter, Kayla, played konane, or Hawaiian checkers, at the fifth annual Mary Kawena Pukui Storytelling Festival yesterday on the Bishop Museum grounds. Families gathered to mark the end of makahiki, the traditional Hawaiian festival season in which warring was put on hold in favor of games and other amusements.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Cheyona Lopez, with the halau Na Pua Mai Ka Lani, danced a hula on the museum lawn. The observance of makahiki has grown in recent years with the revival of all things Hawaiian.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Kainalu Garcia got the hang of spear throwing at the makahiki games. The festival honors Lono, god of peace, prosperity, fertility and healing.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Noa Lapera got the feel of an ihe pa hee (Hawaiian short spear). Spear throwing is one of the games traditionally played at makahiki, when many prohibitions were lifted and people enjoyed more freedom to play and socialize.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Makahiki games demonstrations were organized by the group Pa Kui A Lua. Members, from left, Lehua Matsuoka, Ilima Tolentino and Wela Tolentino prepared ihe (spears) for o'o ihe (spear throwing).