Kahuna

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Makana Risser Chai on August 14, 2011 at 12:06am

Serge King writes,

"In modern times the word “kahuna” is used and misused in many ways. Some people without any traditional Hawaiian knowledge or training claim to have been “initiated” as kahunas, something which Hawaiians of old would have laughed at or been shocked by."

Hawaiians today are shocked as well. According to Pali Jae Lee, author of the classic "Tales from the Night Rainbow," in the 1970s and 1980s, Serge King himself claimed to initiate kahunas, and after a short workshop gave them certificates to prove they were kahunas. She did acknowledge that he no longer does that.

He also writes:

"I was trained in a traditional way in “kalakupua,” or “kupua” for short, a near equivalent to “shamanism,” by my Auntie Laka and my Uncle Wana of the Kahili family, who originally came from Kauai. I was hanai'ed [adopted] into that family as the grandson of Joseph Kahili in 1957. My last teacher, Wana Kahili, granted me the title of “kahuna kupua” in 1975 on Goleta Beach, California, based on the results of more than twenty years of training (including time with my father). Like most who have received a similar honor, I don't have a certificate to “prove” it and, since it was a private ceremony, there aren't any witnesses to attest to it. … However, I don't use that title any more. One aspect of Hawaiian culture I learned is to avoid offending others when you don't have to and some Hawaiians are offended by my use of it."

King says he doesn’t use the title of kahuna any more. That is not true. He does use it – he uses it a few sentences earlier when he says he was granted the title of “kahuna kupua.” That is using the title, whether or not he chooses to be called a kahuna in daily life, and that use continues to be offensive to Hawaiians. Why is it offensive?

First, he does not give any lineage. A true kahuna can name the kahuna in his genealogy. For example, Kahuna Daddy Bray could recite his ancestors back to the time of Kamehameha, and you can find those names in the written record. King gives the name of a grandfather and that is it. A kahuna in a lineage also is known by the descendants of that lineage. Kahuna Daddy Bray’s granddaughter can tell you today who studied with her grandfather, and who did not. Papa Auwae’s grandchildren and Auntie Margaret Machado’s daughter also can tell you that information. A person who truly studied with a kahuna would be known by the family of the kahuna. Yet when I asked King in a telephone interview if there was anyone in the Kahili family I could talk with to verify his claim, he said no.

Second, there is no evidence that there ever was a kahuna lineage by the name of Kahili.

Third, there is no such kahuna as a “kahuna kalakupua” or “kahuna kupua” recognized traditionally in Hawai‘i. A search of all the literature for kahuna kalakupua, kahuna kala kupua and kahuna kupua including Malo, Kamakau, ‘I‘i, Hale‘ole, Pukui, and Pali Jae Lee comes up with zero instances of those terms.

The term kalakupua is found in the Andrews and the Pukui and Elbert dictionaries. Andrews, who King quotes at great length on the meaning of kahuna, defines kalakupua as, “To lie in wait for one; to entrap one in his words.” Pukui and Elbert’s definition is, “Under control of a mysterious or supernatural power; magic. …to do wondrous acts; a magician, enchanter, witchcraft; extraordinary fisherman, elusive thief.”

The term kupua is defined by Andrews as “A sorcerer. A witch. A wizard.” Pukui and Elbert define it as “Demigod or culture hero, especially a supernatural being possessing several forms (as Kama-puaʻa and Laenihi); one possessing mana; to possess kupua (magic) powers.” It is presumably these meanings that King has in mind. However, dictionary definitions are hardly the basis for understanding a culture or tradition. For example, the definition of “magician” on dictionary.com is “1. an entertainer who is skilled in producing illusion by sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; conjurer. 2. a person who is skilled in magic;  sorcerer.” There is a big difference between these two meanings. Similarly, though the dictionary definition might suggest that a human can be a kupua, when you read the literature such as Beckwith’s Mythology and Pukui’s books, it is evident that a kupua is a supernatural being. Presumably King is not asserting that he is supernatural.

Perhaps King does not mean to say that he is a kupua, but that as a kahuna kupua he works with kupua. There is documentation of kahuna interacting with kupua. However, the title of that kahuna is not a kahuna kupua but a kahuna makani. (Pukui, Ka’u, p. 134, n. 23)

King also writes, “But I know what I know, and I know how to do what I do. That's enough for me. … So, what is a kahuna? Just a title that means what you think it does.” To say “that’s enough for me” and “a title means what you think it does” are the opposite of Hawaiian world view. To Hawaiians traditionally what is important is not what you think but what the family, the community, and the kupuna or elders think.  

In sum, King claims to be a kahuna but does not meet any traditional criteria for kahuna and does not demonstrate a Hawaiian perspective.  His books are excellent examples of New Age self-help, just not Hawaiian.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on August 14, 2011 at 12:42am

Thank you for this background and explanation Makana.

Makana Risser Chai said:

Serge King writes,

"In modern times the word “kahuna” is used and misused in many ways. Some people without any traditional Hawaiian knowledge or training claim to have been “initiated” as kahunas, something which Hawaiians of old would have laughed at or been shocked by."

Hawaiians today are shocked as well. According to Pali Jae Lee, author of the classic "Tales from the Night Rainbow," in the 1970s and 1980s, Serge King himself claimed to initiate kahunas, and after a short workshop gave them certificates to prove they were kahunas. She did acknowledge that he no longer does that.

He also writes:

"I was trained in a traditional way in “kalakupua,” or “kupua” for short, a near equivalent to “shamanism,” by my Auntie Laka and my Uncle Wana of the Kahili family, who originally came from Kauai. I was hanai'ed [adopted] into that family as the grandson of Joseph Kahili in 1957. My last teacher, Wana Kahili, granted me the title of “kahuna kupua” in 1975 on Goleta Beach, California, based on the results of more than twenty years of training (including time with my father). Like most who have received a similar honor, I don't have a certificate to “prove” it and, since it was a private ceremony, there aren't any witnesses to attest to it. … However, I don't use that title any more. One aspect of Hawaiian culture I learned is to avoid offending others when you don't have to and some Hawaiians are offended by my use of it."

King says he doesn’t use the title of kahuna any more. That is not true. He does use it – he uses it a few sentences earlier when he says he was granted the title of “kahuna kupua.” That is using the title, whether or not he chooses to be called a kahuna in daily life, and that use continues to be offensive to Hawaiians. Why is it offensive?

First, he does not give any lineage. A true kahuna can name the kahuna in his genealogy. For example, Kahuna Daddy Bray could recite his ancestors back to the time of Kamehameha, and you can find those names in the written record. King gives the name of a grandfather and that is it. A kahuna in a lineage also is known by the descendants of that lineage. Kahuna Daddy Bray’s granddaughter can tell you today who studied with her grandfather, and who did not. Papa Auwae’s grandchildren and Auntie Margaret Machado’s daughter also can tell you that information. A person who truly studied with a kahuna would be known by the family of the kahuna. Yet when I asked King in a telephone interview if there was anyone in the Kahili family I could talk with to verify his claim, he said no.

Second, there is no evidence that there ever was a kahuna lineage by the name of Kahili.

Third, there is no such kahuna as a “kahuna kalakupua” or “kahuna kupua” recognized traditionally in Hawai‘i. A search of all the literature for kahuna kalakupua, kahuna kala kupua and kahuna kupua including Malo, Kamakau, ‘I‘i, Hale‘ole, Pukui, and Pali Jae Lee comes up with zero instances of those terms.

The term kalakupua is found in the Andrews and the Pukui and Elbert dictionaries. Andrews, who King quotes at great length on the meaning of kahuna, defines kalakupua as, “To lie in wait for one; to entrap one in his words.” Pukui and Elbert’s definition is, “Under control of a mysterious or supernatural power; magic. …to do wondrous acts; a magician, enchanter, witchcraft; extraordinary fisherman, elusive thief.”

The term kupua is defined by Andrews as “A sorcerer. A witch. A wizard.” Pukui and Elbert define it as “Demigod or culture hero, especially a supernatural being possessing several forms (as Kama-puaʻa and Laenihi); one possessing mana; to possess kupua (magic) powers.” It is presumably these meanings that King has in mind. However, dictionary definitions are hardly the basis for understanding a culture or tradition. For example, the definition of “magician” on dictionary.com is “1. an entertainer who is skilled in producing illusion by sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; conjurer. 2. a person who is skilled in magic;  sorcerer.” There is a big difference between these two meanings. Similarly, though the dictionary definition might suggest that a human can be a kupua, when you read the literature such as Beckwith’s Mythology and Pukui’s books, it is evident that a kupua is a supernatural being. Presumably King is not asserting that he is supernatural.

Perhaps King does not mean to say that he is a kupua, but that as a kahuna kupua he works with kupua. There is documentation of kahuna interacting with kupua. However, the title of that kahuna is not a kahuna kupua but a kahuna makani. (Pukui, Ka’u, p. 134, n. 23)

King also writes, “But I know what I know, and I know how to do what I do. That's enough for me. … So, what is a kahuna? Just a title that means what you think it does.” To say “that’s enough for me” and “a title means what you think it does” are the opposite of Hawaiian world view. To Hawaiians traditionally what is important is not what you think but what the family, the community, and the kupuna or elders think.  

In sum, King claims to be a kahuna but does not meet any traditional criteria for kahuna and does not demonstrate a Hawaiian perspective.  His books are excellent examples of New Age self-help, just not Hawaiian.

Permalink Reply by Harry Uhane Jim on September 2, 2011 at 7:32am

Thank you for the clearing the space of understandings.   for kahuna is a tainted word.... punishable by Law in hawaii. and profoundly dangerous for  us to engage with the United States Government, and American Medical Association. In the book " Wise Secrets of Aloha"   My publisher recognized my  distinction as a Kahuana,, Meaning a Trained lineage healer, of Hawaiian Ancestry  who's understandings of the field, have achieved standards of excellence, repeatable.,  I pass the test.  ho'o iki. And I have the blood .  Any one who knows,me, and  common practice now days. refer's to my Distinction as "Uncle Harry"   plenty right. I choose not to be put on a pedestal, For healing, and  hawaiian ways, meet you best eye to eye.  circle culture, no one or one's opinion above another..by the vision of divinity .. all equal, in the search for effectiveness.   tenant of circle culture. 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on September 2, 2011 at 7:37am

Mahalo.

I appreciate your mention of the healers law in Hawaii. I am finding the articles in search very interesting.
Harry Uhane Jim said:

Thank you for the clearing the space of understandings.   for kahuna is a tainted word.... punishable by Law in hawaii. and profoundly dangerous for  us to engage with the United States Government, and American Medical Association. In the book " Wise Secrets of Aloha"   My publisher recognized my  distinction as a Kahuana,, Meaning a Trained lineage healer, of Hawaiian Ancestry  who's understandings of the field, have achieved standards of excellence, repeatable.,  I pass the test.  ho'o iki. And I have the blood .  Any one who knows,me, and  common practice now days. refer's to my Distinction as "Uncle Harry"   plenty right. I choose not to be put on a pedestal, For healing, and  hawaiian ways, meet you best eye to eye.  circle culture, no one or one's opinion above another..by the vision of divinity .. all equal, in the search for effectiveness.   tenant of circle culture. 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on September 2, 2011 at 7:50am

If interested in the Hawaiian Traditional healing law this article is very interesting and reveals the arguments of many positions from the Traditionalists to the non Hawaiians and the government.

http://www.hawaii.edu/aplpj/articles/APLPJ_12.1_donlin.pdf