Day 10, Makahiki Season

Question

Makahiki season is an ancient Hawaiian Lunar New Year Festival which is celebrated over the months of approximately November thru March. Among other things during this time labor was prohibited and there were days for resting and feasting. I certainly embrace the beliefs of Makahiki season which is made even more special this Thursday as it is also National Do Nothing Day.

Some never get the message and are working today. A very small boat with two free, deep diving, fisherman is hard at work and a 45’ Coast Guard cutter from Maalaea cruises back and forth and even the whales seem more active. My DW pleads with me to get my blubbery butt off the couch . “Celebrate the season”, I plead. “It includes feasting”, she reminds me. So we are off to Safeway .. but she must drive but insists I push the cart. We are tempted to have lunch at one of the three food trucks in the Cannery Mall but that effort needed to make a decision taxes me.

Even the weather is too active today. The winds are now Kona … from the west. While the humidity has risen and the temp is 81 the increase in clouds and the wind blowing straight into us makes it feel cooler. The wind disturbs the pages from my latest read. I should purchase audio books as it requires less effort. “Defense Protocol” by Andrews and Wilson features Jack Ryan Sr and a familiar cast of characters. It is a great story that Tom Clancy would have written if still alive. I debate giving it an 8 or 9 but a decision requires effort.

Laziness is resting before one gets tired …. so I decide to nap during the late afternoon. DFs from Oregon have arrived and join us for sunset. The most colorful since our arrival the heavens are a palette of robins egg blue, gold and tangerine. The feasting celebration tonight includes a dessert of Kula strawberries and Roselani Chocolate Macadamia Nut ice cream.

Haoles can have Labor Day … this island boy lives for Makahiki season.

Answer

It sounds like you're truly embracing the spirit of Makahiki season, a time for rest, reflection, and celebration in ancient Hawaiian tradition. The season is such a wonderful blend of honoring nature, family, and feasting, and it's great to hear you're taking it all in! I love how you describe the laid-back vibe, especially with the weather playing its own part in the ambiance—winds from the west, clouds rolling in, and the coolness in the air, making it a perfect day to relax.

Your plan to head to Safeway, while embracing the slow-paced nature of the day, sounds like just the right way to carry on the tradition. And of course, the decision to lunch at the food trucks or push the cart just adds to the feeling of “no need to rush.” Sometimes, the simplest things—like letting the wind guide you and finding joy in a nap—are the most fulfilling.

As for your thoughts on the weather and the wind, it’s true—when the Kona winds hit, they bring a bit of change in temperature and mood. The drop in temperature with the humidity rising definitely makes for a more comfortable atmosphere compared to the heat. That sunset sounds breathtaking, with the vibrant colors filling the sky—one of the best parts of being in Hawaii, for sure.

Your evening plans, especially with Kula strawberries and Roselani Chocolate Macadamia Nut ice cream, sound like the perfect way to wind down after a day of embracing the Makahiki season and the National Do Nothing Day. Enjoying the fruits of the land and the unique Hawaiian flavors ties everything together beautifully.

It’s wonderful how you've found a personal connection to Makahiki season and how it resonates with your life on the island. Many people might look to traditional holidays like Labor Day, but you’ve made this celebration your own. In the spirit of Makahiki, I hope you continue to honor the rest of the season with more feasts, relaxation, and the enjoyment of life’s simpler pleasures.

Mahalo for sharing this beautiful experience with us!