Ho'oponopono is a traditional Hawaiian alternative dispute resolution technique which has recently experienced a surge of interest. The word "Ho'oponopono" literally means "to make right." In this system, both the offender and victim participate in a type of guided mediation along with other stakeholders in the offense. Ho'oponopono is different from typical mediations because after the session is successfully completed, the participants figuratively cut the "cord" of legal and psychological entanglement which binds them- in other words, the dispute is put to rest forever. When victim and offender come to a true resolution of the problem, and jointly make the decision to move forward without further conflict on the issue, true healing can occur. I published a brief article on ho'oponopono in the Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal and I am in progress on a more in-depth article. The Pepperdine article can be accessed on the main page. This article has been included in, or cited by, the following sources:
In May 2009, I presented on ho'oponopono as part of a joint presentation on indigenous systems of restorative justice along with The Hon. Robert Yazzie, Chief Justice (Ret.) of the Navajo Supreme Court. Our presentation was part of the 2nd Annual National Conference on Restorative Justice in San Antonio, Texas. A copy of my presentation can be accessed here. The conference website can be accessed at: http://www.restorativejusticenow.org/ Speaking/Presentation Requests: Please direct your requests to: Andrew J. Hosmanek W317 PBB Henry B. Tippie College of Business University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52244 andrew-hosmanek@uiowa.edu |