Healing Hawaiian Style

An article about Oahu Island entitled Healing Hawaiian Style. See also more Article About Oahu and our Oahu Travel Guide.

Kanaka Maoli Lapaau (traditional practices of the Hawaiians, from herbal healing to massage) are attracting new attention today. Many physicians agree that the philosophies and practices of traditional healing complement Western science and can accelerate wellness.

Some of Oahu's centers that offer traditional healing with Hawaiian style services include:

The Waimanalo Health Center
The Waimanalo Health Center (WHC) is a community-based nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii by providing ready access to primary and preventive holistic health services.
Phone: 808-259-7948

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) is a community-owned and operated non-profit medical facility that provides traditional Hawaiian healing services through their Integrative Health Institute.
Phone: 808-696-7081

Waikiki Health Center
The Waikiki Health Center's Hoola Like Program provides Hawaiian healing methods in the arts of Hooponopono (spiritual counseling), lomi lomi (spiritual laying on of hands) and laau lapaau (medicinal herbs). Their on-staff practitioner, Francine Dudoit, has received numerous awards for her work.
Phone: 808-922-3776

Congress has spent $2.3 million to open five native Hawaiian health clinics where Western medicine is melded with the traditional methods. Traditional healers say successful treatment stems in large part from a patient's spirituality. Traditional Hawaiian healers use a number of techniques including: lomi massage, which stimulates the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems; herbal medicines such as hono hono grass to stop bleeding; lauae or maile-scented fern to treat stomach, colon, bowel, liver or bladder problems; and ihi to help people suffering from cancer or kidney problems. Healers from Ke Ola Mamo or Malama Ka Ohana A Pau Loa demonstrate these traditional healing techniques. There are also two ancient sites that pay tribute to Hawaiian healers: Waikiki's Healing Stones at Kuhio Beach, which tradition says honors the visit of four Tahitian healers centuries ago and Keaiwa Heiau (temple) at the top of Aiea Heights Drive, which was once a venerated Hawaiian medical center and school.

Two Web sites promote the wellness of mind, heart, body and spirit by guiding visitors to sources where an awareness of the natural healing energy and spirituality of the islands are incorporated.
- Hawaii Health Guide Dot Com
- Aloha Wellness Travel Dot Com

Resource

Hawaii Tourism Authority / Oahu Visitor's Bureau

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Oahu Island Travel Guide

Other Islands of Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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