According to Desha, Kamehameha I spent many long hours studying the papa kōnane.

In the story of Lonoikamakahiki, Kākuhihewa aliʻi nui of Oʻahu was an expert kōnane player.

Kahekilinuiahumanu had a large papa kōnane outside of his hale. Before a battle he would gather his warleaders and just by how he moved (hoʻo neʻeneʻe) the ʻiliʻili across the papa kōnane they knew what to do. (And rarely lost.)

Kōnane was played by aliʻi and makaʻainana alike.