**What did i find out about Hawaiian Religion?
**You would think if you were to talk to many people about their spiritual beliefs it would be the same, especially under the banner of Hawaiian religion. Even its name can be an arguing point I have found out from some referring to it as Ho'omana the word in Hawaiian for religion. So, lets dive into what a mixture of perspectives are in the different teachings people have receieved from their Kapuna. As well as their scholastic from their Hawaiian academics programs. Who knew Christianity made its mark on the old ways with its own type... who knew the old ways would have two types! and who knew there are still practitioners of a intermingled belief of Hawaiian with other religions. I know I sure didn't know. Lets begin with what i have recorded so far... ** Ho’omana (Hawaiian Religion) Hawaiian Ho’omana (literally Hawaiian ethnicity, ho’o - the causation of, mana - super natural power). It would mean ethnically Hawaiian causation of divine like power, which would mirror that of spiritual religious belief. This power would be placed into gods that would represent such power as a religious belief and practices. So the word can be seen as a sort of similar word for religion. But it's a direct translation is causation of supernatural power, which could imply a god or gods. It is the spirituality of Hawaii that focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Hawaii and ancient past-day Hawaii. Sometimes Hawaii religion is simply called Ho’omana (religion). Ho’omana today is the Hawaiian religion of Heiau (temples) devoted to the worship of a multitude of: animals, spirits, environment, family god (aumakua), and/or gods (akua). Each Heiau temple was suited to various purposes: such as land and sea harvests, memorials, sectarian organizations, etc. Practitioners communicate their diverse beliefs through a standard language and practice of Hawaiian, but in modern day it is english language. The style of dress and ritual is similar to its beginning of contact Hawaii during the mariner trades. Akua (Divine God) Akua is translated to english as “a god” of divine like powers. This is said to manifest itself in nature in multiple forms: water, earth, lava, wind, sun, rocks, animals, people, and places can be said to possess mana (divine powers). There are many people who live with certain participate unknowingly of Ho’omana practices, but only a small percentage of these identify themselves as “Followers of Hawaii Religion”. This is because Ho’omana has a different meaning to different people in Hawaii. Most of the Hawaiian people attend Christian churches and sometimes are apart of Catholic or Mormon faith. And sometimes still have a belief in Akua at times of desperation or at a time of ethnic identity or socializing. The oldest of practitioners of the Hawaii Renaissance are said to be “Folk Hawaiian Religion” and those of the oldest practices. In Modern day the terms Hawaiian Traditional Religion are in reference to Akua worship, related theologies, rituals, song, dance, and traditional practices. In these contexts, Hawaiian religion could take on the idea of tradition rather than a foreign religion like Christianity, Buddhism, Islamic, etc. History Ho’omana had originated from the Tahitians and other Pacific Islanders who landed in Hawaii from 500 AD to 1300 AD. The earliest Hawaiian writings refer to it as a collection of native beliefs and mythology without mention of a unified religion. While it was not announced as a unified idea there was the creator of life “i’o” of Hawaii Loa (a single one god) was a monotheistic entity who granted permission to fish, plant, harvest, and bear children. In the 12th century Samoan Priest Pa’ao brought with him Tahitian Chief Pili who became the first King of Hawaii. Pili and Pa`ao created heiau for worship of four primary Gods: Kane, Ku, Kanaloa, and Lono. With the addition of primary and lesser Gods, Goddesses, and Deities of Hawaii religion would now make its way to turning polytheistic. In 1819, when King Kamehameha the Great died. His son, Liholiho and Queen Ka’ahumanu would break the kapu system that was connected to Hawaii religion for hundreds of years. The destruction of the culture fell with the culture of Hawaii Heiau temples, tiki carvings, and displays. Hawaiian people had lost their way of Hawaii religion worship, but in 1820 Calvinist missionaries arrived on Hawaii shores to indoctrinate the concept of their one god, religious order, ceremonial discipline, and protocols. This replacement of Christianity had made its mark on those who still believed in the old way of Hawaii religion as well as the new Christian religion. So both practices were known and followed as they were embraced. Types Hawaii religious expressions have been distinguished by scholars into a series of categories. Kahiko Ho’omana (ancient long ago hawaiian religion) Kahiko means really ancient or old, so the definition of divine power of mana added it is literally “Ancient old Hawaiian Religion”. It is a reconstructed set of Hawaiian religion that is before the time of many gods. It is seen as a voyaging restoration movement. Folk Ho’omana (hawaiian religion of polytheistic gods) This includes the four primary gods as well as the lesser gods, deities, and spirits. Practices include divination, spirit animals, and shamanic healing. Some of their practices come from other polynesian religions, but most come from ancient traditions. Moku Ho’omana (sectional hawaiian religion) The sections of land are divided into large areas of moku divisions and smaller areas called Ahupuaa regions. These are separated sectional heiaus from organized communities. These sectional beliefs identify with the area, the founder, sacred practices, and formal set of area teachings. Kanaka Ho’omana () Are the religious rites performed exclusively by the Hawaiian families at the Heiaus set on Hawaiian grounds. Heiau Ho’omana () Local people in the second Hawaiian renaissance is the main tradition of Ho’omana, as it has been an important part of Hawaii’s history. It consists of taking part in worship practices and events at a local Heiau. Before the first Hawaiian renaissance, Heiau were disorganized or destroyed and run by secret institutions. In the time of the second Hawaiian renaissance they were made into independent systemized institutions. The current successors of the organization system is unknown or missing from the current overseen heiaus statewide.
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