My Life as a Kahuna, by Ono - a Kahuna of the 1600s

My life as a Kahuna in the 1600's was quite different to a Kahuna's life now. For one thing, life was much slower in my time. We did not have TV or the internet. We also did not have automobiles to ride around in.

As a Kahuna, I was in service to the community. I looked after the community many ways, from counselling to protecting it with my magic. I taught the ways of spirit, hula and chanting. I was the head of my halau. I saw my halau every day, either for instruction or for a performance. We were asked to perfom at many celebrations in the community. Certain dances were requested by our audiences. One such dance was the wedding dance. It was a particularly popular one amongst the women and beautiful to watch.

I had many responsibilities as a Kahuna. I was asked to perform many rituals and even sacrifices from time to time. The sacrifices did not involve any killing but rather giving up something of importance for a time. There were times of great famine and discord in Hawaii. It was felt that these sacrifices could restore balance. I would perform a cermony and we would all vow to give up something of importance. Generally it was a favourite possession, like a surfboard. We would take these to the volcano, or sometimes to the ocean to appease the Gods. It was quite effective in restoring balance. We also paid our respects to the Gods and Goddesses. We would erect stone statues in their honour and adorn them with flowers.

As a Kahuna, I provided other services for the community. Couples who wished for a child would come to see me. I would work with the couple's energy field. I had a specific symbol that I would call to provide fertility energy for the couple. It was quite effective.