Ancient Hawaiians believed that illness was a direct result of emotional and spiritual disharmony. The primary cause of this state of discord was resentment or an unwillingness to release past gripes. To restore the body to its natural healthier state, the practice of Ho'oponopono was utilized. The process was mediated by the Kahuna Lapa'au who was a master priest and healer. Typically it would be carried out when a person was ailing. The high priest would explore the root of the problem within the family and encourage confession and forgiveness. Today the practice is performed by older family members or in some instances by the afflicted individual.

Ho'oponopono a Polynesian Belief System
The origins of the practice can be traced to the first Polynesian societies. The initial forms of the healing art involved the performance of specific rites that would bring about atonement. A person's errors or hara were believed to cause the body great distress. This was also connected to the gods who may have been angered by faulty ways or even the presences of sinister spirits that plagued the individual thereby causing illness. Yet, the error alone was not the only consideration. The associated guilt was given equal weight by many who ultimately saw the need for a form of conflict resolution.

On some islands in the south Pacific, many illnesses were contributed to inappropriate sexual conduct. A person who remained angry for several days was thought to attract illness easily. To oppose the further deterioration of the body confession was promoted. This could be done by the patient or loved ones. Once the error was acknowledged openly then the patient would suffer no more. The ailment was believed to derive its power from secrecy. Even if the offense was not perpetrated by the ailing person the illness was still thought to be the result of this unintended consequence. Thus, all family members were expected to get involved in the healing process.

The Hawaiians believed that the sins of an individual could be passed down to his or her generational line. Parents were therefore jointly responsible for the ailing of their children. Simple acts of conflict like quarrels or minor disputes were thought to have the power to affect offspring. It was also seen as a possible cause of infertile lands and other natural atrocities. The disharmony in the family unit was of serious consequence to everyone and everything around it. To restore the balance essential to the well being of all parties, confession and sincere apology had to be forthcoming.

On some islands, the confession was held in the presence of the patient to enhance the healing process. By doing this, the Kahuna or other healer would be able to identify how best to rectify the situation. This ancient form was also practiced in New Zealand, Samoa and Tahiti.

The Process of Ho'oponopono
The breaking of Kapu, certain Polynesian taboos, was a good indicator of disease development. The native Polynesians took these transgressions very seriously and believed that spiritual purity could not possibly prevail until atonement was sought. The path to resolution involved prayer and the intervention of the Kahuna. He would mediate the interaction between the great deities and the ailing individual. The gods would bestow their forgiveness in the instance that a spiritual error occurred. Where another individual was wronged then forgiveness would need to come from the aggrieved party.

Variations of the practice were evident on different islands and even among different groups. Some families adopted practical traditions to prevent maladies or restore peace. The process involved the meeting of families at a specified period. The problems which were the source of contention were discussed and resolved as best as possible. This required much compromise and a willingness to mend broken bonds. When done regularly, families believed that harmony would be sustained or re-established. In other cases the process was initiated once illness was identified. Any guilt, anger, stress or inability to forgive was dealt with at this time. Each family member accounted for his or her grievances and made an attempt to settle things quickly.

It was not uncommon for an elder to directly address parents of children when they were ill. The grandparent would ask each what they had done and encourage both to resolve all relevant issues. The senior member of the household was responsible for making all the necessary arrangements to begin the process. He or She would conduct a sober family meeting where all these matters were discussed openly. The family aimed to work through their problems together. If the resolution appeared far reaching then a mediator was often requested to facilitate a favorable outcome.

The first stage involved deep prayer to the gods. The spiritual aspect was important and took precedence over everything else. A carefully well thought out declaration of the problem was then formulated. Each member was subsequently expected to contribute to the imminent discussions. Total cooperation was undoubtedly essential to the process. Releasing the anger and frustration was greatly encouraged and moments of silence and reflection were periodically taken. These were done to allow introspection and internal resolution of the problem. After the preliminary discussions were completed each member was asked to confess his or her transgression and repent their sins. Once this occurred the past woes were put to rest. This purging was followed by a ceremonial feast known as the pani. The foods that were eaten symbolized the renewed energy and release and included the Limu Kala.

The practice continues today although in varying degrees. Prayer remains an integral part of the process and is used as a means of attaining clarity and openness. The tradition has been more recently linked to the laws of Karma, which proposes the general idea that all actions have either a positive or negative reaction. This basic knowledge guided the ancient Hawaiians who believed a healthy balance between the spiritual and physical aspects was important to overall health. By acknowledging past wrongs, ill-effects were removed and harmony was restored. The art of Ho'oponopono ensured the well-being of its practitioners and continues to be a significant part of the culture at present.

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