Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona's updated ho'oponopono: bridging indigenous wisdom and contemporary health

Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, a Hawaiian Kahuna Lapa’au, transformed the traditional practice of Ho’oponopono into a contemporary healing modality. This chapter explores her transformative contributions to healthcare paradigms. Morrnah’s ontology of unity transcends traditional frameworks of interrelation through the concept of ‘cleaning’ subconscious memories that manifest as problems. She offers a modality of co-creative healing and shared responsibility as an alternative to hierarchical healthcare systems. Morrnah’s approach challenges conventional biomedical models that prioritise quantifiable metrics and paternalistic dynamics, maintaining epistemic injustices and marginalising alternative methods. Her work aligns with feminist ethics, emphasising relational care and the balance between autonomy and interdependence. The updated Ho’oponopono integrates spiritual, emotional and relational dimensions, reframing health as a multidimensional construct instead of a purely physical phenomenon. Morrnah’s ontology offers a framework for addressing fragmented healthcare structures, systemic inequities and the need for holistic care. Her life and work challenged traditional ideas of visibility and success, reflecting her commitment to unity, accountability and lived experience. Her legacy helps us reimagine healthcare as a co-creative and inclusive practice.