Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian strategy board game played between two people that is similar in concept to checkers but built around jump captures and strategic blocking. Winning isn’t determined by the total number of pieces removed, but by the player who manages their pieces wisely, protecting mobility on the board, and ultimately secures the final move. It is one of Hawaiʻi’s most celebrated strategy systems and is the foundation of this podcast.

The Papamū Podcast weaves the rules, language, and mental frameworks of Kōnane into wider conversations about leadership, education, identity, pilina, and aloha ʻāina. Each episode invites listeners to look beyond the board and recognize the game as a mirror of Hawaiian ways of being — keen observation, intentional movement, adaptability, patience, and strategic decision-making rooted in cultural values. Through a Hawaiian lens, this podcast shifts the narrative around indigenous gameplay, positioning Kōnane as both an ancestral innovation and a modern mindset for empowerment.

The mission of Papamū is to activate a “Papa Kōnane state of mind” in every listener. From curious beginners to seasoned players, this podcast encourages communities to play with purpose, learn ʻōlelo through terminology, and draw real-world strategy lessons from this timeless Hawaiian game. By blending moʻolelo, language revitalization, and gameplay strategy, the Papamū podcast exists to cultivate leadership that stays grounded in culture while boldly imagining the future of ʻŌiwi innovation.