Before Zoloft there was Ho'oponopono: Hawaii's Practice of Healing Mental Illness!

Before western contact mental illness was virtually unheard of in Hawaii. There are several accounting factors for this including: a culture that was very open, accepting, loving, nurturing, and more apt to respect ability and natural talent over discriminating views toward gender or sexual preference. However, the primary reason for the astounding mental stability of the native Hawaiian population is the tradition known as Ho'oponopono; the literal translation of which means "to make right".

In ancient Hawaii there were three distinct classes: the Ali'i or chiefly class of nobles and royalty; the Maka'ainana, the commoners; and the Kahuna which was a broad selection of professional specialists that included master crafts-persons, healers, herbalists, hula dancers, agricultural geneticists, net makers, canoe builders, architects, interior designers, doctors, genealogists, navigators, soothsayers, priests, psychiatrists, kapa cloth makers, feather workers, and the list goes on. Over many centuries a multitude of specialized professions developed as the needs of the community dictated. These highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals formed hui's or guilds so that they could transfer their knowledge and skills to only the most qualified students who would, in some cases, be hand picked during childhood.

In ancient Hawaiian society children were closely observed virtually from birth by the Kahuna and their interests and abilities were duly noted. Those children, who displayed particular talent or precosiousness in any of the various diciplines would be introduced to rudimentary instruction. If the child excelled he would be enrolled into that particular field and would spend many years learning the many aspects involved in his or her trade. Only the most skilled and accomplished students would graduate and receive a master accreditation. These master Kahuna were the ones that were bestowed with the Huna or secret of the trade which allowed them their miraculous abilities. Missionary ignorance and influence resulted in laws being passed that made some Kahuna practices illegal and it wasn't until the mid 1970's that laws condemning the Kahuna were lifted completely from the law books.

One such Kahuna designation was the Kahuna La'au Lapa'au or the psychiatric and homeopathic specialist. The knowledge of the Kahuna La'au Lapa'au embodied the spiritual, as well as, a well source of information garnered from a millennium of observation. Hawaiian psychiatric understanding was very similar to Carl Jung's but superior in many ways due to the extensive "clinical" research passed down over the centuries and the virtual absence of mental diseases in Hawaii. Ho'oponopono or the process of "making things right" is an astounding psychiatric marvel that relies on a profound community based interaction with the afflicted and not drugs as is popular today. The root of mental illness was addressed as a community issue and required the full participation of the patients family and community. It required the entire community's participation in what might be considered an intervention of intense scrutiny that necessitated every-ones personal accountability, not only the patient's. The intervention would last some times for days at a time were no one could leave until the disease was dispelled; Aloha was the foundation for this healing.

To find out more about this fascinating aspect of Hawaiian homeopathic healing please join us -

Ho‘oponopono Workshop

Presented by: Keala o Kalani*

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009

Location: McKinley High School Library

Time: 9 am to 4 pm (registration at 8:45 am).

Contact: Ramsay Taum, ramsay@sustainhawaii.org ; 808.394.5557

This Ho'oponopono workshop will feature the Hawaiian practice of healing, balance and stress release as it was updated and taught by Kahuna La'au Lapa'au Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona. This is presented as a community service which means there are no fees.*

Please feel free to pass this on to those you think might enjoy or benefit from this special gift passed on by Auntie Morrnah.

This workshop is not affiliated with McKinley High School so please direct any inquiries directly to Kumu Ramsay Taum via email or phone, 394-5557. Space is limited. The room tends be very cool so a sweater or light jacket is recommended.

O ka maluhia no me oe. E malama pono.

Ramsay Taum

e-mail: ramsay@sustainhawaii.org

* There is no cost for this seminar; donations are welcomed.

Keala o Kalani is a 501(c)(3) Hawaii private non-profit.

Before Zoloft there was Ho'oponopono: Hawaii's Practice of Healing Mental Illness!

Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009