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KONANE  (Hawaiian Checker game)

The game of Konane is an ancient game that was played in ancient Hawaii by both the royalty and the commoners . It was said that King Kamehameha the Great was an excellent player, sometimes beating his opponent in one move. Many people wrote of the popularity of this game and noted that Kamehameha would sit long hours over the game. His skill was so great that his chiefs and queens could never beat him.

This game was played on huge stones called papamu. There are small impressions or puka in the papamu, or playing board, where the playing pieces were placed. In old Hawaii the original game pieces that were used were black pebbles or white pebbles. Dark and light seashells were also used.

HOW TO PLAY KONANE

  • Konane requires two players to sit on opposite sides of the game board.
  • Player 1 takes one white and one black piece from anywhere on the game board.
  • Player 1 holds one piece in each hand behind his back.
  • Player 1 shows his closed fists to his opponent who chooses a hand.
  • The opponent is assigned the colour of the pebbles in the hand that he chose.
  • Black pebbles can move by jumping and eating a white pebble.
  • The last player to be able to move is the winner.
  • During the game, a law or rule of silence exists - no talking is allowed.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document Commoner: a person who is not a member of a royal family.
Impression: a mark made by pressing.
Opponent: the person against whom you are playing or fighting.