Ho'oponopono

Ho'oponopono is a Hawaiian word for a form of family or personal therapy.

Practitioners believe that it is a revival of ancient Hawaiian practices. To date, the earliest documentation in English of a practice called ho'oponopono is from Mary Kawena Pukui who recorded her experiences and observations from her childhood (born 1895) in her 1958 book.(Handy & Pukui; Chai, 2007) However, there are earlier references to a forgiveness practice. Kupuna or elders interviewed in the 1930s by the Bishop Museum told stories of their grandparents calling the family together for confession and reconciliation, and a forgiveness story appeared in the Hawaiian language newspaper Kuokoa in 1893.(Chai, 2005: 49) There are more than 10,000 instances of the word in the online Hawaiian language newspapers yet to be translated; however, the word also means "amendment" and frequently is used in describing legislation pending before the Legislature. (www.nupepa.org)

Pukui described it as a practice of extended family members meeting to try to "make right" broken family relations ("making right" is the literal translation of the Hawaiian term). Most ho’oponopono sessions include "prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, mutual restitution, and forgiveness." (Cody)

In the 1980s, Morrnah Simeona developed what she called an updated and streamlined version of ho'oponopono that is practiced by the individual alone. Morrnah was recognized as a kahuna by the mainstream press and public. Her practice continues to be taught by her students in Hawai'i, including Ramsay Taum, and Ihaleakala Hew Len, Ph.D.