Ho'oponopono
Contemporary Uses of a Hawaiian Problem-Solving Process
E. Victoria Shook
Published by East-West Center Studies 1985,
University of Hawai'i Press 2002, Eighth Printing 2008
Ho'oponopono, a traditional Hawaiian family problem-solving process, is experiencing a current revival.
Found to be a valid and useful method of resolving family and group conflict by both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians,
it has recently been adapted and succesfully used in both old and new ways. This book demonstrates how
eight indivuduals applied this ancient practice to situations ranging from social work with Hawaiian families
to drug abuse treatment programs and wilderness courses. Background information on the history and context of
the practice and a review of related cultural and mental health issues set the focus. In Ho'oponopono,
E. Victoria Shook had provided us with a rare example of a non-Western cultural practice being used successfuly
in a Western culture and had opened the door for consideration of alternative models of cultural exchange.
E. Victoria Shook received her M.A. degree in communication from the University of Hawai'i. Her research
interests include the comparative study of conflict resolution in Asia and the Pacific, with particular
emphasis on mental health applications.
(The text above comes from the back of the book)
Review
Highly recommended study of Ho'oponopono. E. Victoria Shook has studied Ho'oponopono thoroughly and although a broader
use of Ho'oponopono in couseling is also examined, this does not detract from the group process of Ho'oponopono.
In the back of this book is also included the chapter on Ho'oponopono from Nana I Ke Kumu volume 1 by Pukui, Haertig and Lee.
There are no mantra's in this book!
Martin