Eileen Tupman spent three months away from her California home exploring Hawaii—stopping at heiau, fishponds and lava tubes. She wasn't on vacation, though. Tupman was conducting research.

In the 1970s, Tupman attended the University of Hawaii and worked with local farmers on conservation issues through the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Hilo. “;I fell in love with the Hawaiian culture, the people, the aloha spirit. I felt well-connected and wanted to do something to help keep the culture alive.”;

A lofty ambition, which she undertook to fulfill through games. Specifically, educational games with Hawaiian themes.

After 25 years in the biotech industry, Tupman has turned her attention to gamesmanship. “;I looked at games that have lasted through the times. I wanted to make a game that was both interesting and fun.”;

The result is two board games, “;Pele's Perils”; and “;Ohana Mana.”;

“;Pele's Perils”; is modeled after “;Chutes and Ladders.”; Kids try to make their way through a secret passage in a lava tube to the top of the volcano. Acts of kindness are rewarded as players climb, while hazards send them downward.

“;I wanted to enforce doing good things, helping neighbors and keeping the ohana together,”; Tupman said. “;The game also teaches them about volcanos and the dangers of living on volcanic lands.”;

Tupman describes “;Ohana Mana”; as “;Sorry”; meets “;Trivial Pursuit.”; Pawns navigate around cultural sites and environmental hazards. Players can spread the aloha spirit by drawing Mana cards, or they may hit a rock slide or lava flow with a Kapu card. Sample cards pose such questions as, “;What causes the color of black, green or red sand beaches?”; or asks players to identify pictured images such as mango trees or the nene goose. Because of the amount of reading involved, this game is geared toward older players.

Tupman said the games took about four years to develop and were made entirely in the United States. Artwork was provided by Jeff Pagay, who is known for his murals, greeting cards and children's book illustrations.

“;We wanted the game board to be busy, so new detail can be found every time you play,”; Tupman said, adding that the games aren't just for kids. “; 'Ohana Mana' is more of an adult favorite. It's also good for older folks who are trying to keep their minds active.”;

Locals who think they know everything there is to know about Hawaii might even learn a thing or two. “;My nieces and nephews on Oahu always tell me that I know more about the local culture, and they're Hawaiian.”;