Anciently, the game of ke'a pua was restricted to the Makahiki season. This was the specific time of year when the sugar cane was plucked and laid away to dry, providing the necessary material for the arrows. It was a sport that required both dexterity and strength, practiced by all classes and eventually both sexes.
Ke’a Pua
The arrow was projected at such an angle that it just grazed the surface of the ground, from which it occasionally glanced with a graceful ricochet movement. Posting himself so as to take advantage of a knoll or any slight eminence, the player, holding the arrow well towards its tail end, ran forward a few steps in a stooping position. As he reached the desired point, with a downward and forward swing of his arm, he projected the arrow.
Players: Boys versus boys; girls versus girls; or two girls versus two boys.
Objective: To throw the arrow at an angle at a knoll of earth or sand so it glances off the mound and travels the greatest distance.
What Was Needed:
The Arrow: Made from sugar cane tassels, approximately two feet long.
Preparation: The lower end of the stem was tightly bound with string. The pointed end was moistened in the mouth and coated with dirt or clay.
The Course: A knoll of earth, sand, or a slight eminence.
Rules:
The player holds the arrow well towards its tail end.
The player runs forward a few steps in a stooping position.
At the desired point, the arrow is thrown with a downward and forward swing.
The arrow must graze the surface of the ground to ricochet.
The winner is the player whose arrow glances the farthest.
In organized competition, ten points are scored first to decide the winner.
Classifications of the Arrow
The character of the arrow was indicated by its name. The "lehua eater" (ai lehua) had no stems. The "man eater" (ai kanaka) was an arrow with blotches. A "roll" (owili) referred to an arrow where the body was twisted, and a "stump" (paukū) was an arrow that had been cut short. These physical variations affected the flight and performance on the course.
Wagering was a constant element of the competition. In addition to valuable articles, the arrows themselves were often the prizes for winning a contest.
The Legend of Hiku and Pua Ne
On the island of Hawai'i, in a cave at the top of the hill Hualalai, lived Hina and Hiku, her son. When Hiku neared manhood, he decided to go and see how the people on the shore lived. Taking his faithful arrow, Pua ne, which he always carried, he started off. This arrow possessed marvelous powers, among the following abilities: 1) to answer with voice Hiku's call; and 2) guide Hiku's journey by its flight.
As he stood on a distant hill, he consulted with his arrow and shot it high into the air, watching its bird-like flight until it struck on a hill above Kailua. To this place he rapidly went and picking it up, shot the arrow into the air again. The second flight landed near the coast. It struck a lava rock beside the waterhole of Waikalai. He he quenched his thirst. Near the village of Holualoa, Hiku shot his arrow again and it entered the courtyard of the ali'i, or chief of Kona and landed at the feet of the fair princess Kawelu. As Hiku approached to claim his arrow, the princess teasingly hid it and challenged him to find it. Hiku called to the arrow, "Pua ne! Pua ne!" and the arrow replied, "Ne!" thus revealing its hiding place. This show with the arrow and the remarkable grace and handsomeness of Hiku won the heart of the princess.
The game concluded with the awarding of prizes. Victory was granted to the 'aumakua, and the knowledge of the ricochet was preserved through the season. These final observations on the outcome and the victor’s rewards provide a grounded understanding of the cultural impact of Ke'a Pua.
Want to learn how to play this game today? Ke’a Pua is part off the Hawaiian Decathlon Card Set.
Makahiki Games
Sources
David Malo, Hawaiian Antiquities
Abraham Fornander, Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore
Stewart Culin, Hawaiian Games
Thos. G. Thrum, Hawaiian Folk Tales
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