This video lecture discusses the structure of ancient Hawaiian society, including its social classes and values. It also recounts the story of Umi-a-Liloa as an example of ideal Hawaiian leadership.
The kahuna were also highly learned and skilled experts in various professions in ancient Hawaii. They were the doctors, engineers, and architects, and were keepers of esoteric knowledge that was hidden from the general public. They were responsible for passing on this knowledge and also performed religious rites and ceremonies, acting as guardians of knowledge and essential to the well-being of Hawaiian society due to the lack of separation between religious and state matters.
The Hawaiian value of Aloha is often misunderstood today through the concept of the "Aloha spirit." This popular interpretation tends to focus only on one aspect of Aloha, suggesting that everyone should be constantly nice, kind, and compassionate. This leads to a limited understanding, as Aloha is also an obligation and a commitment that involves responsibilities to those you love, which can even mean standing up to protect them, potentially through confrontation.
The traditional class of kahuna is commonly misunderstood today as solely being priests. While being a priest was part of their duties, they were also highly learned and skilled experts in various professions such as doctors, engineers, and architects. They were keepers of esoteric knowledge and responsible for passing it on, playing a crucial role in both the practical and spiritual aspects of ancient Hawaiian society.
The term "Hawaiian Hospitality" often misrepresents the traditional value of lokomaikaʻi by portraying it as a one-sided generosity where a segment of the population is always giving without receiving. In reality, lokomaikaʻi is about mutual generosity and reciprocity. It functions on the understanding that if everyone is generous and shares, then everyone also receives. This shared giving and receiving is essential for the survival and support of the community as a whole, unlike the skewed image presented by "Hawaiian Hospitality" in the tourism industry.
