2. MANA
• nvs. Supernatural or divine
power, mana, miraculous
power; a powerful nation,
authority; to give mana to,
to make powerful; to have
mana, power, authority;
authorization, privilege;
miraculous, divinely
powerful, spiritual;
possessed of mana, power.
3. MANA
• Primary source of mana is
nā akua
• 2 different types of mana
– Generalized, diffused
personal power
– A specific talent or aptitude
for something in particular
4. MANA – ALI`I
• Closest to the gods and
imbued with the
highest mana were the
ali`i
• The higher the rank of
an ali`i, the greater the
mana
5. MANA
• Hā – To breathe,
exhale; to breath
upon; breath of life
• Mana could be
passed from one
person to the next
6. MANA
• If mana is abused or misused, it could be
diminished or even lost. It is believed that
one’s `aumākua could take away mana.
8. MAULI
• n. Life, heart, seat of
life; ghost, spirit.
Mauli hiwa, choice or
precious life
• n. Mauli ola – breath
of life; power of
healing
9. MAULI
• Ka ʻ Aoʻ ao Pili ʻ Uhane: the spiritual element
• Ka ʻ Aoʻ ao ʻŌlelo: the language element
• Ka ʻ Aoʻ ao Lawena: the physical behavior
element
• Ka ʻ Aoʻ ao ʻ Ike Kuʻ una: the traditional
knowledge element
10. PIKO
• Piko `Ī – Spiritual connection found at the
crown of the head
• Piko `Ō – Inherited connection found at the
navel
• Piko `Ā – Creative connection found below
the navel
12. If you have any
questions, please
ask them on the
Discussion Board.
Mahalo!
Editor's Notes
A form of spiritual energy that exists in all things and creatures Mana is in everything including rocks, plants and animals Mana is found to some degree in all forms of life
1 – A man’s shadow contained some of his mana. No one, commoner or lesser ali`i dared let his shadow fall on the high ranking ali`i. Likewise, the ali`i could not risk letting his shadow fall on anyone else Clothing, because it touched the body, contained some of the wearer’s mana. A garment in close body contact contained more mana than an outer wrap. It was believed that enough mana permeated the garment worn next to the skin that it, like hair and fingernails, could become bait for sorcery. Clothing was considered to be a completely individual possession. Therefore, no one must wear another’s garment. The sole exception, and only with permission, was a close family member of the same sex. Mana as a personal attribute might be ingested For example, after winning a battle, a man’s eye might be scooped out and eaten. Thus, the ali`i who consumed the eye thereby absorbed the quality of the eye, the `ike (seeing, knowing). Legend says that Kamehameha’s mother, Keku`iapoiwa, craved and ate the eeye of a shark during her pregnancy, thereby taking in and giving to her infant the daring and fierceness of the shark.
A chief’s inherent quality of leadership, ability to command, his reservoir of physical and spiritual strength all emanate, at least in part, from mana Of course, no ali`i wanted his mana to be diluted. The children of the high chiefs were married to children of other chiefs with high blood lines. In fact, ideally, such a union would be with someone within one’s own family. In other words, a king’s marriage to his sister was not seen as incest, but rather as a positive way to ensure that high mana was reinforced and passed down to an heir and future ruler.
After death, it was believed that the greater part of a person’s mana went with him to the ao `aumākua unless he/she passed it on to a descendant. Unless mana was specifically passed on, it was considered to more or less be gone when a person died, although it is believed that some of one’s mana lingered on in his/her name, in his bones, in the clothing that had been close to his body, and in hair or nails. A dying kupuna passed on this specific mana – a talent or natural aptitude - (ie: hula dancing, ability to heal, to prophesize, canoe building, etc.) as he/she felt death approaching. He would call the `ohana together and then will his mana to a chosen one by breathing into the mouth or on the manawa (fontanel) of the chosen inheritor. The ceremony was called hā. This is mana that was passed on by declaration alone. It was at this time that the kupuna would reveal his last bit of factual knowledge about his art or craft. It was a common practice for a kupuna to withhold some bit of knowledge so as to maintain his position as expert authority. Through the hā, much knowledge and art was kept alive. It is important to note that passing on mana was not obligatory. A dying person could withhold his mana and take it back with him to the ao `aumākua.
Keep in mind that the mana of skill carried with it an obligation – to work at the ability given to you by the gods and to improve on that talent. For non-use, neglect or misuse, the result would be in lost mana. For example, the kahuna who neglected his patients would eventually lose his ability to heal. A craftsman who slid into “sloppy work” would eventually lose his touch. Having lost skill, and consequently value to others, he would eventually become of less value in his own eyes. Thus, the belief in personal mana was a principal determinate of self-image.
When you move in harmony with the universe, mana will flow through and empower you The energy that you put forth
Hawaiian identity – The essence of being alive, a life force of well being and growth. It is the unique life force which is cultivated by, emanates from, and distinguishes a person who self-identifies as a Hawaiian. If tended properly, this mauli, like a well tended fire, can burn brightly. If not, like a neglected fire, it can die out. Mauli is the cultural heart and spirit of a people Every person has the essence of life which is his/her mauli, so without mauli a person would not exist.
The mauli ola or living life force is fostered through a sense of spirituality, behavior and actions, language and tradition-based knowledge. Four major elements of an individual’s life-giving mauli are identified:
One’s mauli is fostered through three piko connections within the honua or environment Maintaining our mauli ola Hawai`i enables us to understand the importance of honoring the Hawaiian knowledge of the past as a foundation for the present to continue our legacy for future generations.
Maintain practices that perpetuate Hawaiian heritage, tradition and language to nurture one’s mauli Incorporate cultural traditions, language, history and values in meaningful holistic processes to nourish one’s emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual well being that promote healthy mana and mauli
