Hawaiian culture has largely been shaped by its ancestral Polynesian influence. At its core are powerful philosophies passed down through oral traditions and more recently through careful documentation. Many of the ancient ideas have maintained their mysticism and profundity. While they are fairly simplistic in nature, their effects are believed to impart good health, spiritual well being, emotional stability and oneness with the surroundings. Huna philosophy, in particular, stresses the importance of the seven Huna (secret) principles. To truly achieve the concepts defined by each is to experience total contentment and fulfillment. Native Hawaiians are popularly known for their amiability which they share with everyone they come in contact with. This is partly explained by their fundamental belief systems which dominate the tropical paradise. Thus, living in accord with the environment and others is central to the peaceful nature of the people and the place.

The Seven Principles of Huna

The seven principles outlined by these philosophies bear out certain truths. They are based on metaphysical viewpoints that adhere to the themes of subjective reality, where what is said, thought and done have equal weight in changing the outcome of any situation. These "secrets", though easily understandable, are not without their challenges. They require the ability to let go of negative feelings and expressions while maintaining a truly positive countenance.

IKE "The world is what you think it is" - This metaphysical concept speaks to the subjectivity of reality. It gives greatest weight to perception in defining the individual's truth. Each person views the world in the way that he or she has defined it. A desire to find perfect objectivity is never free from one's personal biases. Thus the person who is naturally negative will automatically see a world filled with horrible atrocities, while overlooking those things which are wonderful and positive. Consequently, the individual becomes less able to fathom those things which are contrary to his or her own perception.

Through IKE a person may transform this negativity into something more meaningfully positive. He or she will be more willing and able to see the good and transfer this optimistic outlook to others. By conditioning the mind to focus on the positives in the world a person can learn to alter his or her perception and create a reality that leads to a greater sense of fulfillment.

KALA "There are no limits" - Reality is infinite, lacking both a beginning and an end. The world is therefore considered to have no limit. Thus, possibilities are endless and self-growth can occur without barriers. Individuals are in a constant state of being and becoming. Because no true limits exist, the chance of anything happening is always a distinct possibility. Subsequently, if the individual is able to appreciate the infinite nature of the world and potential for growth, his or her fulfillment becomes unrestricted and accelerated. The concept is considerably more challenging to comprehend in its literal sense. However, in its simplistic form, it essentially means to live with the sense that there are truly no limits to what can be achieved.

MAKIA "Energy flows where attention goes" - Makia, simply put, is the belief that energy travels to the area of greatest focus. This concept is applied to several healing practices including reiki and prayer. It is believed that once a person directs their energy in the form of thoughts to a loved one either positively or negatively, it will affect the outcome of the situation. This energy can be from a place of pure benevolence or utter malevolence. By sending positive energy to another person or an area of the body that is afflicted, healing can then take place. The Kahuna, or Hawaiian healer is gifted at bringing about this particular aspect of the Huna Philosophy. He is said to have the power to heal through prayer and by guiding the process of removing negativity from entire households. The practice is also applied outside of illness to promote overall well being and prosperity.

MANA WA "Now is the moment of power" - Living in the now is essentially what this tenet teaches. Individuals are challenged to focus on the present, not possible scenarios that may or may not happen. It also emphasizes distancing oneself from the past and all the pain and suffering associated with it. Once the individual lives in the moment he or she is better able to achieve self-fulfillment.

ALOHA "To love is to be happy with" - Love is considered an important aspect of life. It allows the individual who experiences it to feel total contentment. It may be derived from the affection or appreciation of something or someone or it may have its origins in something less tangible like the positive feelings associated with being alive. By transferring energy in the form of love, one is better able to connect with one's surroundings and live prosperously.

MANA "All powers come from within" - The Mana teaches that power from the individual is truly awesome. This is specifically related to the mind and its ability to yield results that begin with the potency of thoughts. This belief outlines a person's ability to create, alter and restore. Once an individual is able to realize the true potential of his or her inner power, controlling situations becomes a distinct possibility. This power also has the ability to forge and maintain positive relationships.

PONO "Effectiveness is the measure of truth" - The genuine nature of anything can be measured by its ability to produce positive results. By being able to decipher those things which are true and those things which are false, an individual becomes less ignorant and more aware.

The Huna principles reflect a belief system which strongly advocates personal power. It favors positive enlightenment through altering poor perceptions and negative attributes that have the ability to taint self fulfillment and growth. Though ancient, they have not lost their meaning or their relevance and are still perpetuated within the context of Hawaiian culture.

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