As seen in the San Francisco Chronicle,

Massage Magazine,

and Massage Therapy Journal.  

Winner of a "Keep It Hawaii" Award for authentic portrayal of Hawaiian traditions.

About the Author

R. Makana Risser Chai gathered the wisdom of the kupuna, the elders, for this and the Bishop Museum book, Nā Mo‘olelo Lomilomi: The Traditions of Hawaiian Massage and Healing. These teachers, and their ancestors or 'aumakua, are the real authors of the book. This book sparkles with their inspirational quotes on every page. Makana discovered her passion in life when she learned massage as a child from her grandmother. A licensed massage therapist, she studied with Auntie Margaret and Nerita Machado. In her past life she was a lawyer and CEO of a Silicon Valley training company. She founded Hawaiian Insights, Inc., to help perpetuate Hawaiian traditions. She brings cultural practitioners to resorts and spas seeking to create authentic experiences, publishes the works of Native practitioners, and speaks at meetings and conventions on the modern science of ancient ways to reduce stress and lead change.

About the Photographer

John C. Kalani Zak began his love affair with photography at age 10 when his father gave him a camera, and went on to study with famed Hollywood photographer George Hurrell. John was director of photography and lighting director on many television series, including "Benson," "General Hospital," and "Facts of Life," and directed and produced "The Bold and the Beautiful."

An Emmy Award winner, he was nominated for seven Emmys and a Directors Guild of America Award. A graduate and former faculty member of UCLA's School of Film and Television, John holds a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology. His latest films are "Hawaiian Healing," "Hawaiian Meditations," and "Pule Wailele."