Kōnane: Meet the Man Keeping Hawaii's Native Board Game Alive
Kōnane: Meet the Man Keeping Hawaii's Native Board Game Alive
Kōnane: Meet the Man Keeping Hawaii's Native Board Game Alive
Matt Negrin
September, 20, 2025
Summary
Kōnane, an ancient Hawaiian board game once banned after the 1893 U.S.-backed overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, is being revived by John Kaʻohelauliʻi, who teaches it at fairs and schools across Kauaʻi. Seen as both strategy and heritage, Kōnane embodies Hawaiian values of patience, wisdom, and resistance. Through his lessons, John connects the game to ancestral knowledge, ecological insight, and cultural identity. His work parallels broader struggles over Hawaiian land, culture, and sovereignty. Ultimately, Kōnane becomes a metaphor for life, resilience, and choice—its enduring lesson being that the only way to lose is not to play.
Reference
Negrin, M. (2025, September 20). Kōnane: Meet the man keeping Hawaii’s native board game alive. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/konane-hawaii-board-game-history-1235428364/