Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 2, 1 February 1994 — Ola kino o nā Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ola kino o nā Hawaiʻi

Hawaiian healih horizons

E ho'omau lomilomi

by Jimmy Kealohaokalani Lewis and Ku'ulei Mata Special to Ka Wai Ola O OHA The highly revered art of Hawaiian lomilomi was kept primarilv in the familv. thus written

records of the history and the proper use of lomi techniques are scant. However, the power and efficacy of this sacred art is revealed by its very survival. Firmly anchored in strong Hawaiian spiritual values, this hands-on work

has survived overwhelming forces of the past century. Most practitioners are a natural catalyst for healing, however there are very few practitioners who are gifted with the ability to grasp the spiritual mana'o to fully understand why healing occurs. It is even more rare to find individuals who have the ability to articulate and teach this art form. Currently, we kānaka maoli are very fortunate to have two mas-

ter teachers, both living treasures who lovingly share and preserve this traditional therapy. Master practitioner Aunty Margaret Kalehuamakanoelulu'uonapali Machado, recog-

nized as specially gifted, was chosen by her kūpuna to carry on the mana'o of the family line. She began her lomilomi practice in 1935. She later became a licensed massage therapist in 1964 and is recognized by the Hawai'i State Board of

Massage, specializing in Hawaiian lomilomi. She is also the only certified instructor of lomilomi. Aunty Margaret is the first to pave the way for the Hawaiian community. Her efforts have integrated our traditional native practices to be legally recognized by the Western medical community with government licensing standards. She opened the Institute of Hawaiian Lomilomi at Captain Cook,

Hawai'i, where she trains and certifies students for licensing as lomilomi therapists. Her haumana now practice in Hawai'i and throughout the world. Aunty's greatness is reflected in her willingness to share her gifts unconditionally with all people. Her hands reach out to embrace and give the true essence that is Hawaiian. There are numerous factors, both physical and spiritual, involved in an authentic lomilomi massage. Aunty teaches that Hawaiian lomilomi is a loving touch, and her haumana must love the body they are working on as if it were their own. She shares the message that "the loving touch is a connection between heart, hand, soul and the source of life. If your hands are gentle and loving, your patient will feel the sincerity of your heart as their soul will reach out to yours and the Lord's healing will flow through both of you." Another master practitioner with his own school is Unele Kalua Kaiahua. He is well respected and recognized in the

Hawaiian community as a gifted traditional native practitioner. He practices in the old way. Unele Kalua got his start at a very young age by observing his blind aunt who did

"laying on of I hands" to heal others. His aunt told him the source of all healing was Ke Akua (God). For years he learned from his father the use of herbs, lā'au lapa'au. His mother taught him simple home remedies for treating children

and adults. Unele Kaiua says, "I see healing as helping people in need, and doing it because you want to, not because you have to. The most important part of helping people is that they eome with an open mind." Unele Kalua does bodywork and gives seminars statewide. He founded Ho'ohālike Ko Kahiko Hou Lā'au Lapa'au, ine. Its mission is to develop and advance the arts, science and Hawaiian healing practice of kahuna ther-

apy through providing integrated Hawaiian and Western healing arts in a caring, professional and ethical manner. He teaches his style both on Maui and O'ahu

where he allows his haumana to observe his style and quick results. His goal is: 1) to promote the health and welfare of native Hawaiians and all humanity, and 2) to open a spinal cord and rehabilitation center on Vlaui. His work eon-

tinues through his haumana; he is truly a living treasure. Unele says, "The seed of success is in our attitude and state of mind." Note : for information on an upcoming statewide Hawaiian lomilomi gathering, all native Hawaiian lomilomi practitioners may eall Keoni K. Agard at 5452922.

Margaret Machado

i I Kalua Kaiahua .