Structure of Hawaiian Healing
The
role of healing in modern Hawaii is different from, that of ancient
Hawaii. With the coming of the missionaries in the 18th
Century and the 19th Century. Traditional ancient Hawaiian
healing was banned. The many of the missionaries considered Hawaiian
healing to be a heathen practice. It was considering it to be
somewhere between black magic and witchcraft. With the banning of
traditional healing Hawaiians soon were forced to accept modern Western
medicine. This bought both blessings and tragedies.
Today Hawaii healing is transition. The weaknesses of Western medicine,
the movement to alternative medicine and an increased interest in
returning to more traditional ways. There are several movements a foot.
They include the surfacing of traditional native Hawaiian healers who
practice their own personal huna, there are haole
(Westerner, white people) healers who practice alternative
medicine based on traditional Hawaiian medicine and of course, the
Eastern and Western medical establishment.
The
native Hawaiian healers range from individuals who were brought up in
their family huna, all the way to native Hawaiians who are
practicing alternative medicine, using their own version of traditional
medical techniques. Many non-Hawaiian healers now practice using a
variety of alternative medical techniques. This includes Huna,
alternative medicine (Naturopathy, Chiropractic, nutrition), Eastern
medicine (Chinese, Japanese, Korean healing techniques) and finally,
standard Western medicine.
The
native Hawaiian Health coalitions have not taken sides. In fact, their
role has been to encourage native Hawaiian healers while also
encouraging cooperation with the Western medical system, and alternative
and Eastern healing disciplines.
One
organization, Ke Ola Mamo, responsible for the health and
well-being of native Hawaiian's on Oahu has set forth a framework for a
culturally relevant health system. This framework encompases the basics
concepts from which healing is derived.
Values such as 'ohna, lokahi, pono and 'onipa'a are central to
this framework and the basics of healing. Encompassing these priciples
and equally important are the concepts of 'oia'l'o, lokmaika'i,
laulima, nana/ho'oiohe, pa'akawaha, ho'omana'o, imi'ike/a'o, ha'aha'a,
and malama. These are not simply concepts but rather much
like the Ten Commandments they are standards by which living life leads
to strength and healing, health and wellness.
In the
following articles we will look at a number of the concepts central to
healing and wellness in Hawaiian traditions.
To read the next articles in the
series:
©Allco Medical Enterprises, Inc. 2012
