Spiritual Food for Cultural Enlightenment

The Philosophy and Teachings of Kumu Aloha Kekoolani

Native Hawaiian ethics were shaped by two concepts: (1) a universal need for righteousness (Pono), and (2) personal moral guidance through a spiritual force called na’au.  Ancient Hawaiian civilization conceptualized na’au as the unification of body, mind, and spirit that serves as one’s “gut instinct.”  Early spiritual and cultural experiences were often linked to na’au; therefore, understanding na’au is central to understanding Native Hawaiian history and culture.

Present-day Hawaiians refer to na’au; however, many elements of the original na’au tradition have been lost.  Some parts are now being recovered through linguistic reconstruction and are being reintroduced through existing practices (e.g., Hawaiian marshal arts and language).  This fusion of ancient and contemporary na’au ideology is called Na’au Poi.  From the early thought of unification of body, mind, and spirit through na’au comes the contemporary idea of enlightenment through Na’au Poi.

Na‘au Poi is ultimately a set of helpful tools and skills intended to promote life, health, and prosperity between Hawaiians and other peoples. The continued use and understanding of na’au in the Hawaiian community reveals that there still is an authentic, vibrant Native Hawaiian identity.  The exploration of Na‘au Poi also connects mo‘olelo (stories) like human threads of experience across a progressive scale of identity including self-identity, Hawaiian-identity, Pacific-identity (Oceania), and global-identity.

The underlying cultural theory and practical working principles of Na’au Poi are drawn from spiritual and moral metaphors inherent in Hawaii’s important kalo (taro) growing tradition. These are set forth in Aloha Kekoolani’s book, Na’au Poi: Spiritual Food for Cultural Enlightenment. Aloha integrates Na’au Poi into all her workshops, classes and counseling sessions. Those wishing to study Na’au Poi may attend Aloha’s speaker seminars where theory and practice are both explored. Aloha’s presentations incorporate performance, dance, chant and other forms of traditional Polynesian recitation within traditional academic lecture formats.

(Photography by Aloha Kekoolani)

The Kekoolani ohana (family) are the last original inhabitants of the sacred and venerated Waipio Valley located on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. They work the same kalo lo’i (taro patch) as their ancestors worked hundreds of years ago. It is a celebration of life and a union of family both present and past.

Waipio Valley

Living and Learning Na’au Poi on the Aina (Land)

Aloha Kekoolani, seen here working in the lo’i, has based precepts found in her Na’au Poi teachings on spiritual and moral principles inherent in the tradition of Hawaiian kalo cultivation. The Hawaiian language and ancient oral literature are rich in metaphors drawn from the cosmic relation of man to the natural world.

Na’au Poi

“Spiritual Food for Cultural Enlightenment”

The Philosophy and Teachings of Kumu Aloha Kekoolani

The Human Body, Interconnectedness of Spirit and Material Worlds, The Importance of Precision and Order, The World of the Sacred, The Kapu, Mana, Chiefly Genealogy, Na’au Values, Cultural Recovery, Na’au Poi Lessons with Hawaiian Values.