HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Before Hawaiʻi became a state in 1959, the people of Hawaiʻi celebrated their own special festival in the fall. This festival was called the Makahiki, and it was a time for people to come together and give thanks for the abundance of food, harvest and blessings they received throughout the year. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Makahiki was not just about food and fun. It was also a time for spiritual reflection, community bonding and respect for the ʻāina (land). Let’s take a closer look at what the Makahiki festival was all about, what it meant to the Native Hawaiian people and how it shaped their culture. What was the Makahiki Festival? The Makahiki was an important festival for the Native Hawaiian people. It was celebrated every year around autumn. It usually started in November and could last for up to four months through January. This was the time of year when the weather was cooler and rain helped crops grow; so, it was the perfect moment to celebrate the harvest. The festival was dedicated to Lono, one of the four great Hawaiian gods. Lono is the god of rain, fertility and agriculture. Since he was responsible for helping crops grow, the Native Hawaiian people honored him during the Makahiki. They believed that Lono brought the rain needed to nourish their crops, such as kalo. In return, they gave thanks and made offerings to him. What happened during the Makahiki? Honoring Lono and religious ceremonies A huge part of the Makahiki festival was honoring Lono. Native Hawaiian people believed that by celebrating this god, they would ensure a good harvest in the coming year. This included prayers, rituals and offerings to Lono. The chief priest would perform ceremonies to ask for Lono’s blessings for the land, crops and people. Special altars were set up to give offerings to Lono. The people also made sacrifices sometimes in the form of food, like the first fruits from the harvest or other items like feathers or flowers. Native Hawaiians thought that by giving to the gods, they would receive a fruitful year with plenty of food. Feasting and sharing food Food was an important part of the Makahiki. People came together to share the bounty of the land. Many dishes were prepared, including fish, kalo and fruits. Poi, a dish made from mashed kalo, was a favorite food during the festival. The Makahiki was a time for the community to come together, eat and enjoy the harvest. It wasn’t just about having enough food. It was about celebrating the abundance of what the land provided. It was also a time to show gratitude for the Earth’s gifts. Games and competitions One of the most exciting parts of the Makahiki was the games and competitions. Native Hawaiians believed that these games helped them honor Lono and also strengthened their connection to the gods. Some of the most popular games were canoe races, wrestling and throwing games like amo, which involved throwing a spear at a target, and maika, which was a game where players rolled stone disks. These games were not just fun. They were also seen as rituals that allowed the people to show their strength, skill and respect for the gods. The Makahiki was a time when even the warriors rested from fighting and instead focused on healthy competition and teamwork. No fighting: A time for peace A very important part of the Makahiki festival was the idea of peace. During the celebration, fighting and war were prohibited. This was a time for the people to focus on unity, celebration and respect for each other. If any fighting occurred, it would be considered a violation of the sacred rules of the festival. It was believed that Lono brought peace and prosperity, and the Native Hawaiian people honored that by putting aside their differences and celebrating together. This helped bring communities closer, fostering a sense of peace and harmony throughout the islands. The end of the Makahiki and the beginning of the New Year The end of the Makahiki marked the beginning of the new year. Once the festival was over, Native Hawaiians would lift the kapu, or sacred restrictions, and return to their regular activities. This meant that people could go back to their normal work, including farming and even fighting, if necessary. But the spirit of celebration and thankfulness stayed with them for the rest of the year. The Makahiki was a time to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. It was a reminder that no matter what happened during the year, Native Hawaiian people were always connected to the land, to each other and to the gods. The Makahiki festival and Thanksgiving When Hawaiʻi became a part of the United States, many of the old Hawaiian traditions, including the Makahiki festival, changed. The holiday of Thanksgiving became a big part of life in Hawaiʻi, just like it was for people on the continent. However, many Native Hawaiians still honor the spirit of the Makahiki by giving thanks for the food, the ʻāina, and the kānaka (people) in their lives. Some Native Hawaiian communities celebrate Makahiki-style events where they gather to honor their cultural heritage, share food and reflect on the blessings they’ve received. These events may not be as large or as formal as the ancient festival, but they carry the same spirit of thanksgiving and community. The Makahiki Festival was much more than just a harvest celebration. It was a time to honor the gods, give thanks for the land’s abundance and come together as a community. The spirit of peace, gratitude and respect for nature that Native Hawaiian people celebrated during the Makahiki is something that still holds value today. While Hawaiʻi now celebrates Thanksgiving as the official autumnal event, the traditions and lessons of the Makahiki continue to influence the way people in Hawaiʻi think about thankfulness and community. To learn more, click here. Whether through the Makahiki or Thanksgiving, the lesson is clear: it is important to recognize the gifts we have, share them with others and be grateful for the blessings in our lives. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 The Makahiki reminds us that gratitude is not just about celebrating what we have. It’s about honoring the connection we have with each other, the ʻāina and the forces of nature that make life possible.