Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 9, 1 September 1997 — 150 learn about Hoʻoponopono [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

150 learn about Hoʻoponopono

Aunique 'aha (conference) sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Papa Ola Lōkahi was held to discuss the traditions of ho'oponopono or confhct resolution. "Ho'omāmā Kūkākūkā Ho'oponopono" (to enlighten and bring forward shared knowledge of ho'oponopono) was the theme offered by Papa Henry Auwae, po'okela (head) of Kūpuna Lā'au Lapa'au o Hawai'i, an organization of native healers from eaeh major island. The conference brought more than 150 individuals and representatives from pubhc agencies together to discuss native Hawaiian health issues. Ho'oponopono is a family practice where conflicts are resolved through honest discussion, mediation and prayer. Because of the personal nature of the practice, very little documentation is available. The conference offered the opportunity for kūpuna, mākua and 'ōpio to share mana'o (ideas) and leam about different forms of ho'oponopono still practiced today. According to Noella Kong, OHA Health and Human Services Officer, while kūpuna agree that traditionally the practice was conducted by and for an 'ohana (family) at home, elements of ho'oponopono ean be used outside of the family unit. Workshops were conducted by Margaret Machado, Richard and Lynette Paghnawan, Rev. Lehua Moku'ihma, Mona Kahele, Maile Akimseu, Sonny Kinney, heialoha Beniamina and Abbie Nāpe'ahi and covered a range of topics from Big Island lā'au lapa'au practices to Ni'ihau family traditions. Held at the Tur-

tle Bay Hilton, the conference venue provided a peaceful amhianee and privacy appropriate for this kind of gathering. A planning committee began developing the conference in February with the guidance of OHA Heahh and Human Services Staffers and representatives of Papa Ola Lōkahi, a consortia of pubhc agencies and native Hawahan non-profit organizations chartered in 1988. The committee's philosophy for the conference was that, "we believe the excehence of our culture is maintained through mutual respect and integrity embracing the spirituality of our people." "I think the conference was a good time of sharing. It was niee to see the diversity of kūkākūkā and ho'oponopono coming from the kūpuna," said Rev. Tyrone Reinhardt of Papa Ola Lōkahi. Uei Beniamina of Kaua'i Community Cohege added, "the conference was very spiritual and left the participants feeling reaUy good inside. There seemed to be a consensus that continuing this kind of 'aha would be of great benefit to our lāhui." At the closing ceremony, a participant stood up and said, "We want more, give us more."

Ilei Beniamiana

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