The Iola register., 1902-08-22
THE BLACK ART IN HAWAII.
strong Influence over the su-
pcrstitiOus Islanders.

4 NV. ii'iN'N i'llld ltHNs - luI IIOIl
being oblitcratcd by the progress and
enlightenment of Americans since an
ncNation, nearly five years ago.
Though the attempt of the last home
rule legislature to lcgalzc the prac-
tice of kahunas failed, it has not
diminished to any apprecable extent
the continuance of that practice
among the simple-mindcd natives,
even in the most enlightened com
munitics. Even at this late day in
Honolulu cases Of Witchraft are re-
ported to the authorities by newcom-
| ers, to whom the black art has very
much the appearance of crime. Not
| long ago the police were notified of
Il murder at Waikiki, which upon in
yestigation, turned out To be nothing
more than the act of highly-re-
| spccted kahuna. lie had been driv-
ing off the evil spirits by burying the
| patient in the sands of the beach, and
| the supplemented stranger thought
| murder had been committed and the
murderer was trying to hide the evil
dcnccs of his crime.
The Hawaiian is unusually super
Stitious and a firm believer in witch
craft, carrying with it the belief that
the witch or kahuna has power to re-
lievc him of the attacks of the spr-
its. In common with many other
races the native believes that the
body has two splrit-while the body
sleeps one vi th" spirits leaves it
in charge of its ic.l.., and wapders
at large, often, times causing consid-
cradle mischief to overcome which
the services of the l,ahuna are called.
The Hawaiian still believes that this
habit which their spirit has of
wandering around in the dark leads
to their destruction. The kahuna
paiauhanc, as he is called is looked
to for relief for the natives have firm
belief in his power to destroy and
capture the spirits. The kahuna is
paid for his work, and the Hawaiian
saw no reason why hls profession
was not entitled to lcgalization by
Legislative enactment.
The kahuua, of which there are
still many i'm the islands, makes his
business "A profession, and follows
out carefully prepared plan in his
chase for the spirits. lie is supposed
to have the power to summon at will,
by means of his black art. spiritual
messengers to do his bidding. These
messengers are spirits of men and
women who during life cNcelled
in the arts of the kahuna. Among
these commonly employed are Kua-
mu and kapo, who were women. and
kannohiokaln, Kumukahl and Pala-
moa, who were men.
The service OF these spiritual mes.
sengers may always be called into
play, but some kahunas are believed
to have particular messengers own
ing allegiance only to them. Such
special cmissury of the spirits is |
known as an unihipili.
The kahunas generally operate
early in the evening when people |
have just gone to sleep and their
spirits have not had time to wander
Tar from their homes. lie sits alone |
in his house with the client who |
wishes his spirit taken care of. last |
ing of the ava, he pours out liba-
tion to the familiar spirits which are
to act as his messengers and then
utterS the dread prayer with which .
he cOmpcIS their attendance. These
messengers soon bring together n
group of wandering spirits among
which is that Of the intended vic !
tim and some of his friends To disarm
suspicion. Three cocoanu. cups are
then filed with ava and placed side
by side in the open doorway of the
house behind which the kahuna is
seated, his client being hidden from
view in corner. In the meantime
the spiritual messengers are return
ing, bringing with them spirits from
different homes, which have been in
vited TO the social spree. The ka-
huna describes the members of the
party as they approach, until finally
his description fits the body of the
spirit whom his client is seeking TO
have destroyed.
Then the old ava drinkers incline
their heads to imbibc their fayorite
beverage, and finally the victim fol-
lows their example, and bows his head
10 ihe cup I'm drinking. Quick aS
Nash the kuhuna ScizcS him in his
righI hand and crush him between
ht, hands, faini squeak l., heard
aud rhc Hawaiian brlicyes the trouble
some ,pirit 10 be dead, 'rhe kahuna
opens his hand and discovers drop
Of blood, which is mixed with potatoes
Dr poi and swallowed by the kuhuna
and his client, The next day the ma
tive whose spirit was so destroyed is
told Of the fact by the lahuna.
An interesting case of witchcraft
Dracticed has come to light. \ native
named Keola, employed by w. d. Al
aNander, who vouches for the truth of
The story, felt the grasp of hand 5
upon his throat one night, and. after a
desperate struggle secured his release, 5
recognizing the witch as the wife of I
Pele, living near by, who had consid- ]
,rable reputation as a kahuna. It was