'Ulu maika

Summary: 
Ulu maika or bowling stone is a game piece used primarily during the makahiki season for the competitive sport, maika.
Description: 

Maika Stone. Dimensions: 3 1/8 x 1 5/8 inch, Circumference: 10 1/8 inches, Color: Sandy Brown , Weight: 1 lb. 1.0 oz.

‘Ulu maika can be made of basalt, coral, limestone and wood.  It varies in size and weight. 

Cultural Narrative: 

‘Ulu maika is a game of distance and accuracy.  This individual sport would be played on a kahua (prepared site/course).  There are 2 known ways of playing ‘ulu maika.  The first way is to roll the stone between 2 sticks inserted into the ground several inches apart.  The opponents would stand at a distance of 30-40 yards on both sides of the sticks.  The second way to play this game is to see who can bowl their maika the furthest (Hiroa, 1957).

‘Ulu maika is a skilled sport.  Oral traditions also recite that ‘ulu maika was used to settle disputes and challenges.

Location Description: 

Hawaii