Posted by Bill Taylor on September 30, 1997 at 17:28:16:
Books: Hawaiian Spirituality
Following is a list of books of predominately Hawaiian authorship that have good material on Hawawiian spirituality and religious beliefs. Until recently, most were almost impossible to find outside of Hawai'i, but Amazon.com can get most all of them now !!! There are also good mail-order sources in Hawai'i for them.
Sources:
(NB) Native Books, PO Box 37095, Honolulu, HI, 96837-0095,
(808) 854-8949
(BM) Bishop Museum: http://www.bishop.hawaii.org (808) 847-3511
1525 Bernice Street Honolulu Hawai`i 96817-0916 USA
(AM) Amazon Books: http://www.amazon.com
In order of importance (kinda):
"Tales from the Night Rainbow" by Pali Lee and Koko Willis (NB, AM)
The most incredible book I have ever seen on Hawaiian Spirituality. Oral traditions (pre Pa'ao) from the people of Moloka'i. If you are going to get only one book from this list, this is it.
** GET IT NOW ** ** GET IT NOW ** ** GET IT NOW **
"The Need for Hawaii - a Guide to Hawaiian Cultural and Kahuna Values" by Patrick Ka'ano'i; Small, meaty 28 page book. A must have. (NB only)
"Hawaiian Nation: Man, Gods, and Nature" by Dr. Michael Kioni Dudley
Outstanding book on Hawaiian religious thought, world-view, and environmental ethics from a strictly Hawaiian viewpoint. The author is an ardent supporter of Hawaiian Sovereignty. (NB,AM)
"The Kahuna Religion of Hawai'i," by David Kaonohiokala Bray and D. Low
Interesting and somewhat esoteric little book (54 pages) about "Huna." Pretty good material (if brief). (NB)
"The Polynesian Family System in Ka'u, Hawai'i." by E.S. Handy and Mary Pukui. This is a remarkable text on Hawaian culture. Originally published between 1950 and 1955 in the Journal of the Polynesian Society. Not to be missed. (AM, NB)
"Ka Po'e Kahiko - the People of Old," by Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau.
Originally published in Hawaiian, translated by Mary Pukui. Written in the 1860's and 1870's - it's slow going, but EXCELLENT material. (AM. NB,BM)
"Nana I Ke Kumu - Look to the Source" by Mary Pukui, Haertig, et al., published by the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center in Honolulu in 2 volumes. This is a "source book of Hawaiian cultural practices, concepts and beliefs." Extremely valuable. (NB, AM)
"Hawaiian Antiquities." by David Malo.
Written in 1839 by a heavily Christianized man and somewhat difficult to read (old writing style) it remains one of the earliest written sources of Hawaiian cultural material. (NB, BM)
"Na Mamo - Hawaiian People Today," by Jay Hartwell.
Brand new. In-depth chapters by Hawaiians on how they feel about Hawaiian issues today. Covers religion, healing, farming, music, language, canoe paddling, surfing, righteousness, etc. Indispensible. (NB, AM)
"The Heart of Huna, " by Laura Kealoha Yardley.
Very good summary of "Huna" from a mixed Western/Hawaiian viewpoint. Dr. Yardley is part Hawaiian. (AM)
"Kahuna Healing," by Serge King.
Pretty good text on "Huna" from a Western, psychological viewpoint. Mostly collected from non-Hawaiian sources. (AM)
A me ke aloha,
Bill Taylor