hoʻ okumu

1. v., To make a beginning of; to enter on; to take the first step; to do the first act; to originate.
2. v., To settle; to root; to establish; to lay a foundation.
3. v., To appoint to a particular business or office.

“ hoʻo and kumu ”
The beginning of a thing

Let's begin by setting the stage for this website, explaining its purpose, objectives, and how to navigate it.

So, why would a 46-year-old Italian-Australian citizen, whose lifelong dream of visiting Hawaii remains unfulfilled, dare to write about Hawaiian tradition, spirituality, and values?

In essence, I've always felt a profound connection to these islands throughout my life. This connection deepened significantly in 2021 when I participated in a Hawaiian-style massage course. Little did I know, an 11-day retreat would profoundly reshape my life and forever alter my understanding of its significance.

And since then, I embarked on a journey of research, discovery, and integration of Hawaiian noho ʻana (way of life).

Ka Huna Bodywork Level 1/3 February 2021

haumana

n., Student, pupil, apprentice, recruit, disciple

“he haumana au”
I am a student

If I were to choose a title for myself today, it would be this: haumana. I am a student, eager to learn, and this website it`s a reflection of my current understanding. Everything shared here is approached with humble respect for a culture that is not my own, yet resonates deeply within me.

I am open-hearted towards new learning, and eager to deepen my journey on this path. This site serves as a personal repository where I creatively catalogue my understanding, research, and experiences from recent years. My goal is to share these insights and connect with others on a similar journey. I seek to invite and connect with new friends and teachers who can help me further enrich this exploration.

aʻo

1. nvt., Instruction, teaching, doctrine, learning, instruction book, manual, advice, counsel; to learn, teach, advise, instruct, train, tutor, coach, prescribe, admonish.

“na wai ʻoe i aʻo”
Who taught you?

Ka Huna bodywork is not traditional Hawaiian, but rather has its roots in Hawaiian Temple Style massage. Nancy S. Kahalewai, in her book Hawaiian Lomilomi Big Island Massage, writes:

“Although it is not traditional, it is accurate to say it is Hawaiian because it was developed by a kanaka maoli (full-blooded Hawaiian person) man who was born and raised in Hawai‘i, known today as Abraham Kawai‘i, who lived on Kaua‘i.”

My Ka Huna teacher, Mette Sorensen, is also not Hawaiian. Throughout her remarkable journey, she has received blessings and permissions from many Hawaiian Kahunas, as well as numerous other spiritual and physical teachers worldwide, to learn and share their knowledge with others.

Over the past 20 years, she has integrated these teachings and shared her wisdom with over 5000 individuals at her school, High Spirit Retreat, nestled in the Noosa hinterland in Queensland, Australia. Unlike traditional Kumu (Hawaiian teachers), whose teachings centre around Hawaiian spiritual foundations and traditions, Mette`s focus is on personal development, she emphasizes the spiritual principles that underpin the bodywork keeping the doors wide open for each individual's belief system to find alignment within her training.

Mette`s institute @ High Spirits Retreat 
297 Sister Tree Creek Rd,  Kin Kin QLD 4571 Australia 
Phone: 0407 651 600

Mette’s believes that we are all unique individuals and that learning is experiential and should be holistic, integrating the body language, body awareness and communication skills with natural therapies.

The philosophical and intellectual aspect of Mette’s training is inspired by her personal experience with the Danish ‘Folkehøjskole’ (‘Folk High School’) philosophy and Serge Kahili King’s interpretation of the Hawaiians outlook on life, through his seven Huna principles. Mette also holds an array of qualifications in the field of natural therapies and completed her teachers qualification at the College of Education in Denmark.

“he aha kāu i aʻo ai”
What have you learnt

Where to start ?

The most fundamental lesson I am still learning and practicing on a daily base is:

To let go and open my heart to source…

…whatever you may call it—be it the universe, god, Akua, the light, or spirit. In my upbringing, I was never allowed to hold such beliefs, bout then one day, whilst receiving a Ka Huna massage, I felt touched by Aloha and I could no longer neglect my "spiritual" side or deny the presence of a higher power. Since everything about Hawaiian culture and traditions begins with honouring and respecting this connection, I felt it was a perfect alignment after 43 years of doing exactly the opposite.

“pehea ʻoe e aʻo ai”
How do you learn

In my opinion, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (hawaiian language) holds the key to develop the mindset to be able to fully embrace and understand this culture. As with everything else, that connection is deeply woven into the language.

My approach to the learning process, and the way I structured this website, involves using the language to understand, reflect upon, and integrate it into my life.

For your convenience and mine, most Hawaiian words on this website are linked to Wehewehe Wikiwiki (Hawaiian language dictionaries) for easy exploration.

“heaha kau i ike”
What do you know ?

The word IKE for example encompasses much more than mere knowledge or understanding.
The section titled IKE is my understanding of fundamental Hawaiian concepts, values, and perspectives on life that I have come accross so far.

IKE

“pehea eʻapo”
How to embrace?

ă’-pŏ is the art or process of taking into the mind or mental acceptance.
The section on ʻapo chronicles my ongoing journey and discovery to embrace the Hawaiian IKE as i know and understand it.

ʻApo