Research source

There were several classes of priests, or kahunas, beside those who were connected with the temples

Date of account: Published 1888
Source: The Legends and Myths of Hawaii: The fables and folk-lore of a strange people
Reference: The Legends and Myths of Hawaii: The fables and folk-lore of a strange people · selected passage 3
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-25

Record summary

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

There were several classes of priests, or kahunas, beside those who were connected with the temples. They were seers, doctors and dealers in enchantment, and subsisted by preying upon the people through their superstitions. All physical illness was attributed either to the anger of the gods, witchcraft, or the prayers of a malignant kahuna. The afflicted person usually sent for a kahuna, whose first business was to discover the cause of the malady through incantation. This ascertained, an effort was made to counteract the spells or prayers which were wearing away the life of the patient, and sometimes with so great success that the affliction was transferred to the party whose malice had invoked it.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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