Questions for Kimo:

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!

www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com 

tel.+1.808.344.1264 

Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009 

Celebrating Hawaii's Famous Chiefs from ancient times:

Hawaii has many myths and legends surrounding it's ancient rulers or Ali'i. One such famous Chief was Umi the peasant King of Hawai'i. Born to the unwed union of a commoner of exceptional beauty and the legendary King Liloa of the big island, Umi rose from obscurity to become one of the most renowned kings in Hawaiian history. Great of stature and skilled in the martial arts Umi was said to have introduced himself to his Royal father, Liloa by jumping over the palace walls, tossing aside the spears of the palace guards and landing in his fathers lap anouncing that he was his fathers long lost child. Such breach of protocol would have placed Umi in mortal danger had not the King recognized the Malo(loin cloth) and ivory and shell necklace he had left with Umi's mother many years prior; confirming his royal parentage. Umi would later raise a rebellion against his cruel and despotic half brother with the aid of the priesthood and secure his claim as Mo'i(King) ali'i nui o Hawai'i. Below is an article featuring Umi as the honoree for this years Aloha Na Ali'i Banquet at the Hawaii convention center.

 
 
Native Hawaiian Chief honored at annual Aloha Na Alii Banquet

 
HONOLULU, HI - The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and Bishop Museum honored Umi a Liloa during the 8th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention's Aloha Na Alii Banquet held on August 26, 2009 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
 
The elegant Banquet is an extraordinary opportunity to be inspired and reminded of the strength and vision of Hawaiian leaders.  Past honorees at the Banquet include King David Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani, King William Charles Lunalilo, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, and Princess Ruth "Luka" Keelikolani.
 
"The banquet evening held every year at the CNHA Convention creates an opportunity to connect and re-connect with our stories, our history, our ancestors, our ali`i," said Lilia Kapuniai, CNHA Community Development Manger. "We truly mahalo Bishop Museum and Nā Pualei o Likolehua for a partnership that continues to inspire every year.  The talent at the museum, and in our halau and practitioner community is awesome."
 
Umi a Liloa, commonly known as Umi, ruled as the 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. Umi is an icon to many with his accomplishment of uniting all districts of Hawaii through wars. An excellent warrior, Umi was of lowly birth on his maternal side, but rose to leadership through his victories in battle.  
 
The Aloha Na Alii Banquet featured Umi through a special exhibit that included exquisite pieces he possessed, and was followed by a dinner program, that included a mookuauhau (genealogy chant) by Mehanaokala Hind, a direct descendant of Umi and member of Halau Nā Pualei o Likolehua. The banquet agenda also included a memorable ola na moolelo (living stories) presented by Bishop Musuem's Moses Goods and Loko Maika'i Lipscomb.
 
To learn more about the Aloha Na Alii Banquet and the Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, contact CNHA at (808) 596-8155 or e-mail info@hawaiiancouncil.org.
 
CNHA is a Hawaii-based nonprofit serving a network of more than 100 organizations statewide and nationally. CNHA's mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or visit our website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org

JDS Consulting: Hawaii Home Staging and Decor Design. Servicing Honolulu and Honolulu County, Oahu Hawaii.

Master Bath Virtual Remodel - Pearl Ridge Hawaii - JDS Consulting Hawaii Decor Design and Home Staging

Many of our clients at JDS Consulting are simply looking for a little inspiration in their design projects. We point our clients in the right direction by providing suggested designs, materials, and visuals so they have a better understanding of how to achieve their renovation dreams.

One common concern amongst many of our clients, is that there are just too many choices to choose from, which can paralyze even the bravest of do-it-yourselfers. No one wants to make the wrong choice when it comes to renovations, as mistakes can be costly and time consuming. In order to alleviate that fear and provide a clear well defined goal for our clients we provide a comprehensive design strategy that addresses what materials and accessories to use, where to find them and what the project might look like in completion.

In this virtual makeover, our client a recent retiree, wanted a modern Japanese design aesthetic for their master suite renovation. They also had specific concerns regarding the height of the vanity in the bath and storage and organizational concerns as well. As Real Estate Merchandising specialists we approach every design with resale in mind, however, our client had no intention of selling the property and wanted certain design elements modified to her specific needs and personal taste that might otherwise be counter-intuitive to a Merchandiser.

The primary concern for our client in this project was the height of the vanity. After a recent medical procedure coupled with her diminutive size, our client needed the vanity to be lower than the standard 30"-32" height of a typical vanity console.In order to avoid the cost of custom cabinetry we decided on a wall mounted single wading pool sink & vanity which could be hung at a more convenient height. She also wanted drawers instead of cabinets and because of her medical condition she would be unable to bend and reach the lowest drawers which the mounted vanity design dispensed with. The width of vanity was also reduced to provide more square footage in the vanity area and we offered a choice of coral stone or golden onyx for the vanity top. We also suggested using coral stone or travertine for the floor and backslash which would extend to the floor. Our client stressed simplicity and easy maintenance with the the fixture selection so we choose a simple polished or brushed nickel look from Moen.

The golden wood tone selected for the teak vanity cabinets, shoji closet doors, and latern style light fixtures was chosen to compliment her many Asian  antiques and teak furniture found in the rest of the home.

A sisal area rug and stripped ottoman indicative of Japanese kimono designs would round off the accessories for the bath.

JDS Consulting- Hawaii Home Staging and Decor Design. Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Diamond Head, Kahala, Waikiki, Kapahulu, Kailua, Makiki, Tantalus, Hawaii Kai, Manoa, Nu'uanu, Ala Moana, Waialua, Haleiwa, North Shore, Kapolei, Makaha, Honolulu.

www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009