Recommended Books on Hawaiian Health, Religion, and Spirituality

Na Pule Kahiko, Gutmanis – June Gutmanis interviews Kanaka Maoli informants, collecting significant Hawaiian lore. As physical and spiritual health are completely integrated into each other in Hawaiian philosophy, It is informative to study both of her collections.

 

Kuni Ola: Countering Sorcery and Its Roots to Forgiveness, Chun – An outstanding and valuable work includes quotes from original sources, case studies, and an excellent bibliography. While written in a somewhat conversational style, it presents outstanding scholarship. An excellent companion to the two Gutmanis volumes above.

Ka Lama Kukui, Hawaiian Psychology: An Introduction, Rezentes – The first book on Hawaiian psychology, it remains a valuable resource, delineating Hawaiian traditional personality factors, mental health concepts, and healing practices that are essential in applying the science and profession of psychology with clients from a Hawaiian cultural background. Not only valuable for the clinician, but an excellent work for Hawaiians who wish to understand themselves as traditional people in a non-traditional culture.

Hoʻoponopono, Shook – Victoria Shook’s book remains the most authoritative resource for kahu (ministers), kumu, and psychologists. Many case studies. Not only valuable for the clinician, but an excellent work for Hawaiians who wish to understand themselves as traditional people in a non-traditional culture.

Nā Moʻolelo Lomilomi, Chai – Makana Chai’s book remains the most comprehensive written resource available on the traditional Hawaiian form of massage. Case histories and interviews. This work would be valuable in the library of any mental or physical health practitioner who works in the Hawaiian community.

 

The Kumulipo: A Hawaiian Creation Chant, Beckwith – Martha Beckwith’s work on this Hawaiian genealogical chant is probably the most readily accessible to the English-speaking reader. Study of this work will help the Western mind to understand Hawaiian thought regarding humanity’s place in the cosmos.