Hūnā i Na Mea Huna

Kii: P.J. Coito

This is a look into the layers of protection and power inherent in Indigenous Pacific Island oral traditions. E huli i kaʻōlelo hūnalonalo (hidden or concealed speech).

The Power of the Hidden Word

In many indigenous cultures, particularly in Polynesia, mana (spiritual power) is not just a general energy; it is often tied to specific knowledge, lineages, and the precise vibration of words. As you noted, the art of concealment serves several vital purposes:

• Spiritual Security: By "garbling" or mumbling the most potent part of the chant, the Kahuna ensures that the "key" to the spiritual realm remains in his possession. It prevents the dilution of the prayer's efficacy.

  
  

• Protection from Theft: In a traditional society where a Kahuna’s status and livelihood depended on their results (like successfully leading a fire-walking ceremony), their chants were their most valuable intellectual and spiritual property.

  
  

• Respect for the Unseen: Sometimes, certain names or phrases are considered too sacred for the general public to hear. Muffling the sound is a way of speaking directly to the Kūpuna (ancestors) or ʻAumākua (family gods) without "exposing" them to the mundane world.

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Modern Context: The "Mumble" Today

It is interesting that you mention seeing this today in public gatherings. While modern Hawaiian practitioners are often more open about sharing culture to ensure its survival, the "hidden" style still manifests in a few ways:

1. Rapid Delivery: Some chanters use a speed and cadence that makes it nearly impossible for a listener to transcribe the specific phrasing.

   
   

2. Esoteric Vocabulary: Using archaic words or metaphors (kaona) that have a literal meaning to the public but a "hidden" meaning to the initiated.

   
   

3. Physical Turning: A chanter might turn their head or lower their voice during the most "heavy" parts of a protocol.

The tahua (priest) takes his place at the marae, as the eager crowd awaits his commencement. To the side, a vast, deep pit filled with sizzling hot stones lies ready - an imu, used for purification. The construction of this imu is a process that requires several days of preparation, all in anticipation of this very moment.

With the crowd's undivided attention, the priest begins his kepakepa, a ritualistic chant filled with symbolic motions and spoken words. His voice is strong and clear, captivating all those present. However, as he reaches a certain point in his chant, his voice softens and the words become muffled and unclear. But soon, his voice regains its former strength, once again becoming intelligible to all. This is the art of Olelo Hoonalonalo.

Olelo Hoonalonalo is a technique used by some to safeguard their mana, or their unique abilities that they are recognized for. The words of the chant serve as a gateway to the spiritual realm, where the natural spirits reside. By disguising his words in a mumbled sound, the Kahuna ensures that others who observe and study cannot use his mana for their own gain.

The Kahuna's secret phrase, hidden within the chant, is the key to causing action to his request to the gods or kupuna. He asks for their protection and guidance, enabling him and others to walk on the hot stones unscathed by the flames or heat. The Kahuna's services are highly valued by his chief, and so he must protect his prayer from being misused by those who may seek to challenge him and take his position.

Even today, Olelo Hoonalonalo can be observed in the practices of those who are involved in public gatherings. This was seen at Marae Taputapuatea in the early 2000's.