Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Primal/Tribal/Shamanic : Hawaiian 17th Century	About Hawaiian (Anonymous) Timeline (17th Century)
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Original Language Hawaiian	E ho mai
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger   Recommended Books The Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula, by Nathaniel B. Emerson	E ho mai Ka ike mai luna mai e O na mea huna no eau O na mele e E ho mai E ho mai E ho mai Grant us knowledge from above, All the wisdom of the songs. Grant, Grant, Grant us these things.
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Years ago, I took a class on ho'oponopono. (If you sound it out slowly, it's not the tounge-twister it first looks like.) Ho'oponopno means literally "to make things right, to return things to harmony." It is a traditional healing method, but it isn't focused on healing the body. Ho'oponopno is for healing relationships, families, communities.

As part of the class, I learned this chant. Hawaiian chant can be compared to Hindu Sanskrit mantra in that to truly say it properly can take a great deal of training. The inflections are important. The breath is important. Most of all, the sense of personal presence is important.

This Hawaiian chant must be said with force and with heart. It is a prayer, but it is not passive. It is a calling forth, a reaching out and a drawing in -- of wisdom, of knowledge, of truth. It evokes in us pono, rightness.

Try sounding out the Hawaiian. Slowly at first, until the sounds become familiar. Then louder, with confidence. Say it over and over again. Imagine repeating this chant in a group. Let it ring through your body and your day!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
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