Hank is a living treasure-trove of knowledge and insight into a world of mystery - the world of the shaman. Combining knowledge gleaned from thirty years study of traditional cultures, primarily those of East Africa and of the Pacific Islands, with a long investigation of shamanic practices around the world, Hank conveys a coherent and comprehensive model of reality which transcends that of the current dominant global culture. In the workshop, descriptions of this model were presented from many angles, building a context within which to offer insight and to develop each person's understanding.

The circle was opened on Sunday evening with calling in the seven Directions. An altar was established in the center of the circle, the spirits were invoked for guidance and protection, and the drumming commenced.

Each day included lecture and question and answer sessions with Hank, during which he presented a vast amount of information using his special abilities as an expert instructor and master storyteller. These sessions were always fascinating and stimulating, answering many questions which people brought with them and raising many new ones as the emerging world-view was daily expounded upon and further clarified.

In addition to explanation and theory, there was no lack of opportunity for direct experience for workshop participants as each day included shamanic journeying led by Hank. These journeys provided the opening for powerful individual experiences, many of which were shared within the circle throughout the week. These personal encounters with spirit took on vivid and specific meaning when considering the first four levels of reality, the three souls represented by the gods Lono, Ku, and Kane, or the power and presence of our ancestors.

Several outings to places of power on the Big Island were included in the week's itinerary. The first excursion was to Pu'ukohola Heiau, the site where the legendary Kamehameha vanquished the rightful heir to the royal throne of Hawaii, thereby consolidating his power and ultimately fulfilling the prophesy that Kamehameha alone would rule all the Hawaiian islands as king. Many insights into this most impressive shrine to the god of war, and the history surrounding its construction were presented during our visit there.

Leaving Pu'ukohola we headed to the site of the Puako Petroglyphs. A fifteen-minute walk through dense, dry kiawe forest leads to an opening wherein hundreds of petroglyphs have been carved into a large mound of red rock imbedded in the ground.

Hank believes these figures may be ancestral in nature; a means through which the carver of the figure could make contact with the ancestral spirits in his or her lineage. The people who created these works went to a great deal of trouble to get to this particular place. Why did they choose this spot? The answer, in a word, is mana. The Puako site is a power spot, saturated with the essential stuff of life and spirit, or mana. The ancient people, being attuned to the forces of nature, undoubtedly experienced the presence of power here, perhaps also finding this place to be an entry-point into the realms of the spirit world.

Our third outing came later in the week, to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, the Place of Refuge. Rich with history and tradition, this sacred place was one of the home sites of the Ali'i, or Hawaiian royalty. It was also a place where warriors in defeat, or breakers of Kapu (law) could find safe haven, if they managed to get there and avoid being hunted down and killed for their transgression or misfortune.

 

On display was a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe which captured one's respect for the navigational skills of the Hawaiians.

While there, turtles (honu) greeted us at the shoreline and we were treated in Keone'ele Cove to a visit by dozens of frolicking dolphins, the guardian spirits of humanity. We were given a leaping and spinning display of pure exuberance that was thrilling to witness.

 

In addition to the dolphin's dance, the week had many other high points. Perhaps tops among them were two visits by Hale Makua, currently the chief Kahuna of the Pacific Islands and direct descendant of KingKamehameha. Those who have read Visionseeker already know of Hank's first encounter with Makua. Those of us fortunate enough to have been in attendance at workshops given on the Big Island have met Makua, heard him speak and answer questions, and through him have received initiation into the sixth level of traditional Hawaiian society, that of the Priesthood.

At Makua's request, on Friday evening, April 26th, members of the Na Koa Warriors administered an Awa Ceremony for our benefit, sealing the bond formed between the group members and connecting us in our striving for knowledge and understanding to ancient tradition in the Hawaiian Islands. Several of our group took time to relax at the beach that afternoon and to do a customary salt water cleanse before the awa ceremony began.

 

The lauhala mats were unfurled and when we sat upon them, we each accepted our cup of Awa, acknowledging our ancestors and our decendants.

 

 This was the climactic finale to the week, followed by a great meal and celebration, as farewells were exchanged and hopes of future reunions were shared.

Throughout the week, in every activity, the significance of historical events from the viewpoint of indigenous culture and religion was woven in with the symbology of mystical vision to form a kind of tapestry; one representative of an expanded view of universal truth. This is not a new invention. Rather, it is an ancient perspective on the grandest of scale which Hank, in his career studies and pioneering inner voyages, has worked to unveil. It is our great good fortune to have encountered the wisdom and inspiration which flows through Hank, and it is with gratitude that I write these words and look forward to the ongoing unfolding of the Great Mystery.

(Special thanks to Mary Katherine Meyer for supplying many of the photographs on this page. )