Makahiki

Makahiki was the ancient Hawaiian New Year festival in honour of the god Lono, lasting four lunar months from about October or November to February or March; on Hawaiʻi island it began with the crescent moon after the Pleiades, Makaliʻi, rose shortly after sunset. Work and war were forbidden; the konohiki collected offerings of pigs, taro, kapa and other goods for Lono's altars, while priests carried his image, the Akua Loa, around each island. Sports, hula and feasting followed, and at the end a canoe loaded with offerings was set adrift for Lono. Captain James Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay during Makahiki in 1778.