Rekindling Hope: Native Hawaiians Embrace Spirituality in Post-Fire Recovery
Native Hawaiians are turning to traditional spirituality and cultural practices for spiritual healing and revival in the aftermath of devastating wildfires on Maui. Traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, led by kumu hula (hula teachers), are addressing the need for spiritual recovery, with prayers and chants aimed at healing the land and people. Despite the dominance of Christianity and Buddhism on the islands, traditional Hawaiian spiritual practices have been revived and advanced in recent decades. The revival of native spirituality is seen as a response to the denigration of Hawaiian religion and culture over centuries. The ceremonies also serve as a way to pass on cultural knowledge and traditions to the younger generation.