Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source) volume I (Paperback)

by Mary K. Pukui (Author), E. W. Haertig (Author), Catharine A. Lee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Nana I Ke Kumu ("Look to the Source") is dedicated to the families and children of Hawaii. It is a source book of Hawaiian cultural practices, concepts, and beliefs which illustrate the wisdom and dignity contained in the cultural roots of every Hawaiian child.

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Hui Hanai (June 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096167380X
• ISBN-13: 978-0961673802
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,132,366 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hawaiian culture revealed through the meaning of words, March 9, 2001

By A Customer

This is a fascinating book. In Hawaiian many words have multiple meanings, and understanding their meaning is only possible if you study the culture, and vice versa. This book illustrates meaning and culture by giving examples, interviews, stories, cross-references, as well as definitions. This is no dry dictionary or analytical scholarly work. It's very readable, evocative, and draws you into the magical and sometimes alien world of old Hawaii.

There are actually two volumes, at least in the 1972 edition that I have. Volume 1 is a discussion of cultural concepts. Volume two "traces social customs, practices and beliefs from birth to old age".

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look to the (Excellent) Source on da Kanaka Maoli, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source), Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Aloha Amazon Reader,

If you are looking for a book that illustrates the lives ancient Hawaiians from the Hawaiian perspective (and not from the Hollywood perspective) then this book is for you. It is an excellent resource for scholar and layman alike.

Written in a format similar to an encyclopedia to allow easy lookup, the authors paints though spiritual, emotional and practical examples of ancient Hawaiian life. We follow a Hawaiian 'Ohana from conception to birth of the child to the child learning and growing up in society; relationships (sexual or otherwise) between man and woman; healing and spirituality; dreams and symbols; the many faces of aggressions; shame and guilt; ESP and prophecies; and lastly, the Hawaiian Self Image.

I ordered this book because my kumu hula (hula teacher) recommended it to suppliment my hula kahiko (ancient) instruction and understand what I am dancing to. A hula dancer, scholar or one that has the aloha spirit will find value in this book.

Hawaiians believe in the power of words, especially the spoken word. I encourage you to understand the power behind these written words. Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the source)!!

O Hui Hou!

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding a Different Way of Viewing Human Interactions, January 14, 2009

By	Karen Keauhou Chun (Maui) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source), Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Nana I Ke Kumu is the definitive book on Hawaiian culture. Mary Pukui still lived within and was connected to the old Hawaiian culture when she wrote this and other books such as the Hawaiian Dictionary.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in old Hawaiian culture and to anyone in the psychology field as it gives great insight in an alternative way of being that worked well for in excess of 1000 years.

For anyone contemplating travel to Hawaii, this book will deepen and enrich your experience and help bridge the gap between European and Hawaiian cultures that still exists today.

The book is a fascinating read in its own right, containing stories that keep you turning the pages.