About Ka Makou Kōnane

The name “Ka Makou Kōnane,” much like the game itself, contains many layers of kaona, or hidden meanings. On its surface, Ka Makou Kōnane refers to a traditional three-stringed makou kukui torch shining brightly and burning throughout the night. Indeed, you can imagine these makou torches lighting the boards of many high-stakes kōnane games that extended well into the night in ancient Hawaiʻi. In Hawaiian culture, the kukui torch is a symbol of light, knowledge, and holders of ʻike — “makou” is also a poetic term for a trusted and esteemed advisor who served an aliʻi across three generations and carried important histories and stories with them.

“Kōnane” is a word with many meanings. It refers to our heritage game, but also of brightness and shining light, like the moon. It is said that as the moonlight passes through the leaves in the forest, the resulting pattern on the forest floor is that of a kōnane board.

The name “Ka Makou Kōnane” ties these concepts of light, wisdom, knowledge, and our heritage game together with symbols known to our kupuna. Like the makou torch, we hope for a bright future of kōnane.