Kake – The Secrets of the Kahuna

Like Huna people, I love to break Hawaiian words into root words to try to understand their deeper meanings. This is an authentic way to begin to understand the richness and complexity of the Hawaiian language.

Huna people say that the kahuna hid their secrets in their words. But if the kahuna had secrets, do you think they would “hide” them in such a way that they could be understood by every Native Hawaiian, or any haole with a Hawaiian dictionary? I don’t think so!

The kahuna and chiefs did have a secret way of speaking, but it was not to be found in root words. They referred to it as kake (with a macron over the e). The best definition of kake comes from a wonderful resource book, “Treasury of Hawaiian Words in One Hundred and One Categories,” compiled by Harold Winfield Kent, former President of Kamehameha Schools.

Kent defines kake as, “Artificial language made by transposing syllables. It was used in speaking, writing, and in chants. The purpose of the garbled communication was to hide the meaning from any but the initiates.”

Missionary Lorrin Andrews in his 1865 Dictionary writes, “it is made by transposing the letters of words and by giving words new meanings; it is used mostly, if not always, for vile, lascivious purposes.”

Andrews was fairly straightforward when it came to defining words relating to sorcery, healing, and sexuality, so I don’t know what he might mean by vile and lascivious.

I’ve spoken with several Hawaiians who have heard of kake, but who told me no more than the above. My research continues. If you know of any resources or wish to shed light on this subject, I would love to hear from you.

by Makana Risser Chai
editor, Bishop Museum book on Hawaiian healing massage
www.MakanaChai.com
copyright 2006 all rights reserved by Makana Chai

Kaona, the Real Huna

Teachers of Huna speak of it as the “secrets” of the ancient kahuna (experts) of Hawai’i. I am still researching to what extent Huna is authentic Hawaiian.

What I do know is that if you really want to know the secrets and mysteries of the Hawaiians, you need to know kaona (kao-na).

Kaona is defined in the standard Pukui and Elbert dictionary as

“Hidden meaning, as in Hawaiian poetry; concealed reference, as to a person, thing, or place; words with double meanings that might bring good or bad fortune.”

These are not hidden meanings that can be understood by simply breaking the words into “root words” as is done in Huna. These hidden meanings can only be understood by those with an intimate understanding of Hawaiian legends, cosmology, history, and world-view.

For example, in one old document from an elder kahuna of the 19th century, medical doctors diagnosed illnesses by setting down pebbles on a mat in the same way that Lonoikamakahiki played konane (checkers) with his wife, Kaikilanialiiwahine-o-Puna, at Kalaupapa, Molokai.

I have no idea what that means. Even if I researched it and found the legend itself, I would never understand the nuances of the god-chiefs who played, the deeper meaning of the konane game, and what energies Puna, Kalaupapa and Molokai evoke.

There are innumerable examples from chants, prayers, songs, proverbs, and wise sayings. Theodore Kelsay translated an old prayer and took 2 pages to describe the hidden meaning of the first sentence. In ‘Olelo No’eau, Mary Kawena Pukui explains poetical sayings with a few sentences that raise more questions than they answer.

Who today can understand the fullness of Hawaiian traditions? Certainly not me. My hope is to present the traditions as documented by the Hawaiians so that others with more knowledge and wisdom can interpret them in light of kaona.

by Makana Risser Chai
editor, Bishop Museum book on Hawaiian heaing massage
www.MakanaChai.com
copyright 2006 all rights reserved by Makana Chai