The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-25
WlTCHCRAFT IN HAWAII
IMMENSE BUSINESS DONE eY KAhu.
MAS AMONG NATIVES.

Took After Errsnt splrits-Queer Beliefs
of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. That Look
Like Murhers-Trsps Set For SpOoke-
Killing Mischievous Spirit.
Witchcraft. or kahunaism,. as it is
known in the Hawaiian Islands. is far
from being obliterated since annexa-
ton. Though the attempt Of the last
Home Rule Legislature to legalize the
practice of kahunas failed, that failure
has not diminished the business done
by the witches among the natives.
Even at this late day in Honolulu
cases of witchcraft are sometimes re-
ported to the authorities by newcomers
to whom the black art has very much
the appearance of crime. Not long
ago the police were notified of case
of murder at Waikiki. which upon in
vestigatiOn turned out to be nothing
more than the act of highly respected
kahuna. He had been driving off some
evil spirits by burying the patient in
the sands of the beach, and the
stranger who witnessed the perform
ance thought murder had been com
mitted, and the murderer was trying
to hide the evidences of his crime.
The Hawaiian is superstitious and
firm believer in witchcraft. He be-
lieves that the witch or kahuna has
the power to relieve him from the at
tacks of the spirits.
In common with many other races
the native believes that the body has
two spirits. While the body sleeps
one of the spirits leaves it in charge
Of its fellow and wanders at large.
often causing considerable mischief
which the kahuna is called in to rem
edy. The Hawaiian still believes that
this habit which spirits have of wan
dering around in the dark may lead to
his injury. The kahuna poi auhane,
as he is called, is looked to for relief.
for the natives have firm belief in his
power to destroy and capture spirits.
The kahuna is paid for his work and
the Hawafians saw no reason why his
profession was not entitled TO legallZa-
ton.
The kahuna makes witchcraft his
business and follows out Il carefully
prepared plan in his chase after spirits
He is supposed to have the power to
summon at will by means Of his black
art, spiritual messengers TO do his bid
ding. These messengers are spirits of
men and women. who during life eX-
celled in the arts of the kahuna.
Among those commonly employed are
kuamu and Kapo. who We're women,
and Kaonohiokaia. Kumukahi and Pal
amOa, who were men.
The services of these spiritual mes
sengers may always be secured, but
some kahunaS are believed to have spe-
cial messengers owing allegiance only
to them. Such special emissary of
the spirits IS known as an unihipili.
kahunas generally operate early in
the evening. when people have just
gone to sleep. and their spirits have not
had time to wander far from their
homes. He sits alone in his house With
the client who wishes his spirit taken
care of.
Tasting of the ava he pours out a
libatiOn to the familiar spirits that are
to act as his messengers. and then
mutters the dread prayer with which
he compels their attendance These
messengers are sent out to bring to the
house the spirit suspected of evil prac-
tees and some Of its friends. the latter
being invited to disarm suspicion.
Three cocoanut cups are filled 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 Il corner.
AS the spiritual messengers return,
bringing with them spirits from differ
ent homes, the kahuna describes the
members of the party until finally
his description fits the spirit that his
client is seeking to have destroyed.
Then the old ava drinkers incline
their heads TO imbibe their favorite
beverage. and finally the victim fol
lows their example and bows his head
to the cup, in drinking. Quick as
flash the kahuna seiZes him in his
right hand and crushes him between
his hands. A faint squeak is heard,
and the Hawaiian believes the trouble
some spirit TO be dead.
The kahuna opens his hand and dis
covers drop Of blood. which is mixed
with potatoes or poi and swallowed by
the kahuna and his client. The next
day the native whose spirit was so
destroyed is told OF the fact by the
kahuna.
Another method of dealing with spir-
it's as practiced by the kahuna is to
imprison them, when caught. in
drinking gourd to await ransom
from the owner.
The natives believe also that the
spirit sometimes in a fainting fit sud-
denly leaves the body, and the services
of the kahuna are then enlisted to