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Timeline / Defining Rights and Responsibilities / 1879: King Kalakaua turns to traditional Hawaiian healers

1879: King Kalakaua turns to traditional Hawaiian healers

In Hawai‘i, King David Kalakaua I issues licenses to traditional healers, known as kahuna, to revive traditional medicinal knowledge and practices that have been suppressed. This resurgence of interest comes after years of the Hawaiian government’s advocating Western medical practices for Native Hawaiians.

Theme
Medicine Ways
Region
Hawai‘i

King David Kalakaua I

Courtesy Hawai‘i State Archives