konane

Konane (also spelled konane and known as Hawaiian checkers or lei konane) is a traditional two-player abstract strategy game from Hawaii. Its name comes from the Hawaiian word for removal or taking away. The game is commonly played on a rectangular board of even dimensions (such as 8x8 or 10x10), with each square occupied by a counter of one of two colors, typically black and white, arranged in a checker pattern. The board is usually filled at the start, and the first move creates the initial empties by removing two adjacent counters of opposite colors near the center.

Gameplay proceeds by alternately removing counters through jumps. A legal move consists of selecting a counter that is adjacent to a vacant square and jumping it over an adjacent counter into the vacant square on the far side, removing the jumped counter in the process. The jump must be in a straight line along orthogonal directions (not diagonally). After the jump, the moving counter lands in the vacant square and the vacancy shifts to the counter’s original position. Thus the game evolves from a fully occupied board to a sparse one as players continue to capture. A player without any legal jump loses the game.

Variations exist in starting setup, board size, and specific rule details across regions and communities. Konane is often presented as a culturally significant Hawaiian pastime and is analyzed as an impartial abstract strategy game, with outcomes depending on board size, openings, and endgame structure. It shares thematic elements with other jumping or capture games, but remains distinct in its early setup and movement rules.