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Shushan, Gregory, "My heart sang within me, and I was glad to be dead": The Reception of Near-Death Experiences Across the Cultures of Oceania, Journal of Near-Death Studies, 36(3), Spring 2018, pp. 135-160. Ka-ilio-hae (Maui, Hawaii), Case 3
15
Suggestive Evidence
7
Low Compatibility
Milu (pagan deity), soul through eye/foot, sister with power over ghosts
Ka-ilio-hae's experience contains both compatible and problematic elements from a biblical perspective. The positive aspects include consciousness after death, meeting deceased relatives who retain their identities, and receiving a prophetic message to warn his people - similar to biblical prophets. The testing of religious knowledge before proceeding echoes biblical themes of spiritual examination.
However, several elements contradict biblical teaching. The reference to Milu as an underworld deity conflicts with monotheistic biblical theology. The concept of the soul leaving through the eye and entering through the foot has no biblical basis. His sister having "power to turn ghosts back to bodies" suggests human control over life and death that contradicts God's sovereignty. The "place of whirlwinds" where spirits dance and play, and meeting Walia as "high chief of ghosts" presents a polytheistic spiritual hierarchy incompatible with biblical monotheism. While the experience demonstrates consciousness after death, its theological framework is distinctly pagan rather than biblical.
Ka-ilio-hae from Maui died from an illness but revived and told his family about his wonderful journey to the land of ghosts. His soul left his body through his left eye, and looking back, the body appeared like a great mountain with eyes like dark caves. Suddenly afraid, he went to the rooftop but was disturbed by the sound of people mourning him, so he flew away towards the spirit world.
His deceased sister met him at the entrance and took him to her house but warned him not to enter or eat anything if he hoped to return to Earth. They proceeded to "the place of whirlwinds" - a hill where spirits danced and played - then to meet Walia, "the high chief of ghosts." Ka-ilio-hae had to successfully clear obstacles intended to test one's religious knowledge and devotion before finally meeting Walia. Ka-ilio-hae told Walia the history of his people and was then informed that he must "go back and enter his body and tell his people about troubles near at hand," or else be thrown to Milu (the underworld deity). A beautiful woman gave him directions home, and although he was reluctant to leave, his sister forced him, for she had "the power of sometimes turning a ghost back to its body again." When he returned and saw his body, he felt "very much afraid" and was repulsed by the smell. He tried to escape, but his sister pushed him in through the foot. This experience served as a warning message for his people about coming troubles. |