The ancient Hawaiian New Year Festival known as Makahiki covers four consecutive lunar months. The start of the festival is usually in October or November and is decided using astronomy.  Known as a time for celebration, the Makahiki has three phrases.

The first phrase is for spiritual cleansing. Offerings were made to the gods in the form of agricultural goods. Each community had stone altars set up for their offerings.

The festival would move clockwise around the island. Each community caretaker would present the offerings to Lono, the fertility god that makes things grow.

The second phase was all about the celebration. Dancing, sporting, singing and feasting.  Any wars happening between communities was put on hold during the 4 month celebration.

The third and final phase, tax canoes were filled with gift offerings to the god Lono and set out to sea. The ending of the festivities marked the beginning of the new farming cycle for the next year.  You can learn more about the festival here.