“As I read the words, I wept.” Christian Herold, Lomi Teacher, Zurich

What do Hawaii's most respected teachers want you to know before you give or receive lomi lomi?

Listen ... and see.

The kahuna say that lomi lomi begins with aloha ‘āina, love of the land. Hawaiians know the land itself is healing. That's why lomi lomi often is given outdoors, so you can see the mountains, feel the warm caress of the breeze, smell the flowers, hear the waves, and taste the salt air.

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

On deserted Waimānalo Beach, Alva Andrews works on his student, David Keoni Virden, using a form of lomilomi similar to chiropractic based on lua, the martial art.

The touch of lomilomi springs from the deep spirituality of the Hawaiians. Prayer was and is an essential part of their daily lives. The old ones prayed when dancing hula, preparing for battle, and giving lomilomi. Native practitioners, then and now, pray before, during, and after treatment. "80 percent of healing is spiritual, and 20 percent lā‘au (herbal medicine). - Papa Henry Auwae, 1968

Papa Auwae (1906 — 2000) at the restored village of Lapakahi, where he learned healing from his great-grandmother.

"Lomilomi is a loving touch. If your hands are gentle and loving, your patient will feel the sincerity of your heart, his soul will reach out to yours, and God's healing power will flow through you both." - Auntie Margaret Machado, 1999

As Haunani Hopkins gives lomilomi to Mark Chai, he faces sacred Mōkapu Peninsula, the home of his ancestors and one of the earliest settlements on O‘ahu.

"There is a glorious feeling of rest stealing over us, and what with the lassitude consequent upon the lomi-lomi-ing, enhanced by the perfect quiet about us and the drowsy influence of the soft air stirring the rustling leaves of the thatch, we drop asleep." - Anonymous Visitor, 1892

When Jeana Naluai and Kamaile Puaoi, her teaching assistant, give four-hand lomilomi, the mind loses track of the hands and surrenders in deep relaxation.

In old Hawai‘i, children learned how to walk on adults. "I have seen portly females extended upon the mats, face downwards, while juveniles, barefooted, were dancing upon their backs, and this they considered a luxury." - Edward T. Perkins, 1854

Maika‘i Medeiros shows off his style. He is learning lomilomi at Moku Ola Hawaiian Healing Center, in Hawaii Kai.

Lomilomi is famous for using hot stones. Traditionally hot stones wrapped in leaves are placed on the body. The heat of the stones releases the medicinal qualities of noni, ti or other leaves. Some modern practitioners use bare hot stones.

Eri Mahealani Sakai Virden wraps hot stones in healing ti leaves. Like many lomilomi practitioners, Eri dances hula, having competed in Merrie Monarch in 2000 and 2007.

The healers of old recommended warm baths to cure a dull headache. "In special places along the eastern coast of Hawai‘i, pools of geothermally heated water are used daily for their healing powers by bathers. The warm, buoyant water soothes muscles and arithritic joints while reducing the full effects of gravity." - Dane Kaohelani Silva, 2000

Dane treats his daughter, Shelle, in the hot pond on the island of Hawai‘i. Dane was trained in lomilomi by the kupuna of hi ‘ohana, and also is a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Traditionally everyone in the family practiced lomilomi. They gave each other massage to relieve sore muscles, headaches, and indigestion, as well as for pure enjoyment. From before the time they were born, children received lomilomi from their parents and grandparents. They were massaged throughout childhood.

Aunty Mary Fragas is renown for her work with pregnant women. She shows a husband how to give lomilomi to his wife and child.

The kāhuna received their training at a school in a healing temple. "In all of Polynesia, only in Hawai‘i were there such heiau ho‘ola (healing temple) for…training of haumana (students) with a rigorous 20-year or so cirriculum…" (Kekuni Blaisdell, M.D., 1993)

At the ruins of Keaiwa heiau, a healing temple on O‘ahu, Brenda Mohalapua Ignacio prays. Medicinal trees and herbs surround this temple.

Early Hawaiians knew what modern medicine has now proved — holding grudges makes you sick. Only forgiveness and reconciliation could heal such sickness. "Ma‘i ma loko was sickness from loko, 'within.' But not within the body. Within the family. Quarrels and holding grudges and hihia [ill feeling from unforgiven hostilities] and hukihuki [power struggle] and general unpleasantness in the family. All this caused sickness." (Mary Kawena Pukui, 1972)

"Look for the keiki kane, the little boy, little girl in everyone." Allen Alapa'i

Maluhia La Pierre, of the band Ooklah the Moc, finds complete acceptance in the hands of Noelani Bennett.

In the 19th century, there was "a woman who had been ill for a long time. She was terribly bloated, her heart was affected…. Just the weight of the sheet was torture to her. The kahuna told … the mother that the woman had committed ten secret sins; for her to ask the woman about it and if she confessed and was repentant she could be cured. If not, then nothing could be done for her. The mother talked to her daughter and she said the kahuna was right; she confessed and repented…. In the morning, … the woman was walking on the lanai and was perfectly normal and well." (Mr. McGuire, 1933)

Hawaiian woman, circa 1899.

"My grandmother said, 'Forgiveness is the key that opens the heart.' The thing that gets in the way of the heart is the mind. Turn off the mind. The mind is not us, it is other people's voices. Once we forgive the voices, the mind turns off. When the mind goes off, the heart opens. Life is a feeling, not a thinking." (Allen Alapa‘i, 2005)

Allen Alapa‘i and his wife, Antoinette, love to blow bubbles as a reminder of the importance of hā, the sacred breath of life.

"I could not have fallen into gentler hands. There was a strength in her finger tips, and healing in her presence, and she imparted both to me." (Helen Mather, 1891)

More lomi lomi or Buy Now.

“Mahalo for this book. It feels like I’m sitting in a room with all of these kumus sharing their knowledge.” Roberta Taira, Hawai‘i

As the lomilomi comes to an end, the receiver slowly opens her eyes and sees the world in a sacred light.

Continue your journeyinto healing by buying the book now.