Ka Mano Wai: The Source of Life

Ka Māno Wai is a book that honors and preserves the stories of fourteen respected kumu loea, or cultural experts, who are the keepers of ancestral knowledge. These kumu loea are authorities in their respective fields and share their stories with the reader to teach them about maintaining and enhancing their well-being through ancestral cosmography and practices such as mana, mālama kūpuna, 'āina momona, 'ōlelo Hawai'i, ho'oponopono, lā'au lapa'au, lomilomi, and lua. The title of the book, Ka Māno Wai: The Source of Life, has multiple meanings, including the idea that ancestral practices retain history, preserve ways of being, inform identity, and provide answers for health and social justice. The book celebrates and perpetuates kanaka values and reveals ancestral solutions to challenges confronting present and future generations. Nourishing connections to the past helps to build a future of wellness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

Ka Māno Wai is a captivating tribute to the rich tapestry of mo`olelo (stories) woven by fourteen esteemed kumu loea (expert teachers), who are the guardians of cultural wisdom. These remarkable individuals, including Kamana`opono M. Crabbe, Linda Kaleo`okalani Paik, Eric Michael Enos, Claire Ku`uleilani Hughes, Sarah Patricia `Ilialoha Ayat Keahi, Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo`ole Osorio, Lynette Ka`opuiki Paglinawan, Sharon Leina`ala Bright, Keola Kawai`ula`iliahi Chan, Charles Sonny Kaulukukui III, Jerry Walker, Gordon `Umi Kai, Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, and Kekuni Blaisdell, are renowned authorities in specialized fields of cultural practice that draw from the depths of ancestral `ike (knowledge). Beyond their academic prowess, they are cherished mentors, colleagues, friends, and family, sharing their profound stories with us. These narratives serve as invaluable guides, illuminating the path to maintaining and enhancing our well-being through ancestral cosmography and practices such as mana (spiritual, supernatural, or divine power), mālama kūpuna (care for elders and ancestors), `āina momona (fruitful land and ocean), `ōlelo Hawai`i (Hawaiian language), ho`oponopono (conflict resolution), lā`au lapa`au (Hawaiian medicinal plants), lomilomi (massage), and lua (Hawaiian art of fighting).

The authors' dedication to cultural work within the community and their profound reverence for Hawaiian worldviews and storytelling paved the way for the intimate and enlightening conversations with the kumu loea that form the heart of this remarkable book. Recognizing the interconnectedness of Native Hawaiian culture, which binds people, spirituality, and the environment, the authors captured stunning photographic portraits of the kumu loea in locations that hold deep personal significance to them.

The title of Ka Māno Wai: The Source of Life carries multiple layers of meaning. Just as water sustains life, ancestral practices preserve history, uphold ways of being, and nourish the soul. This book serves as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the wisdom passed down through generations, offering a profound journey into the heart of Hawaiian culture.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824894337