What is Ho'oponopono

Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness, reconciliation, and emotional cleansing. Rooted in Native Hawaiian spirituality, it was traditionally used within families and communities to restore harmony and resolve conflicts. 

The word "ho‘oponopono" roughly translates to "to make right" or "to correct an error."

Traditional Ho‘oponopono: The Native Hawaiian Practice

  Before the modern adaptation, Ho‘oponopono was a sacred family ritual guided by a kahuna lapa‘au (healer or priest) or an elder. It was a structured process that involved prayer, open dialogue, confession, and forgiveness to release hihia (entanglements or disputes) within a family or community.

  The Hawaiian belief system sees all things as interconnected - including people, ancestors, spirits, and nature. When a person harbored resentment, it was believed to affect not only their well-being but also their descendants, highlighting the necessity of making things pono (right).

  In the late 20th century, Morrnah Simeona, a Hawaiian kahuna, adapted Ho‘oponopono into a self-cleansing, individual practice. Unlike the traditional communal ritual, her version focused on inner healing through divine connection. Her student, Dr. Ihaleakalā Hew Len later popularized the method globally, emphasizing personal responsibility for everything in one's reality.

The Four Sacred Phrases

The modern Ho‘oponopono is centered around four mantras that align the mind, heart, and soul:

1. I’m sorry – Acknowledging the presence of pain or discord.
   
   

2. Please forgive me – Asking for forgiveness from oneself, others, and the universe.
   
   

3. Thank you – Expressing gratitude for healing and resolution.
   
   

4. I love you – Affirming divine love and unity.

This simplified version emphasizes personal responsibility, recognizing that our external world reflects our inner state. By cleansing our own subconscious mind (unihipili in Hawaiian thought), we contribute to the healing of the collective.

Why Practice Ho‘oponopono?

• To clear emotional burdens and past traumas.

• To restore relationships and heal conflicts.

• To release negative energy that may be affecting physical health.

• To align oneself with pono (harmony and balance) in life.

• To cultivate peace, gratitude, and spiritual connection.

Bridging Tradition and Modernity

While the modern Ho‘oponopono focuses on self-healing, the traditional practice was deeply communal, requiring interpersonal resolution. However, both emphasize the power of forgiveness, responsibility, and spiritual realignment - core Hawaiian values.

Understanding Ho‘oponopono through a Native Hawaiian lens reminds us that true healing is not just about personal peace but also about restoring harmony within relationships, communities, and the natural world.

As a Certified Advanced Ho'oponopono Practitioner and Reiki Master, I use a unique combination of traditional Ho'oponopono prayer process and Reiki.