Lono's Guide to Happiness and the Makahiki

Makahiki is the ancient Hawaiian festival that celebrates the new year and honors the god Lono, who is associated with fertility, agriculture, and peace. The festival lasts for about four months, from mid-November to late February, and coincides with the rainy season and the rising of the constellation Pleiades. During this time, people refrain from war and work, and instead enjoy feasting, sports, games, dancing, and storytelling. They also pay tribute to Lono by offering agricultural products, forest products, and kapa (bark cloth) to his image, which is carried around the island by priests. Makahiki is a time of rest, rejuvenation, and gratitude for the bounty of the land and the blessings of Lono.