NA KUPUNA

A Legacy Created…

Kumu received her training from two of Hawai'i’s Living Treasures, Po’okela Kupuna La’au Lapa’au ’o Hawai'i, Henry Allen “Papa” Auwae of Kohala and Auntie Margaret Kalehuamakanoelulu’uonapali Machado of Napo’opo’o.

Henry Allen“Papa” Auwae, one of the mightiest Kahuna La’au Lapa’au (Hawaiian Herbalist) originated from Hawai’i Island. Raised and trained under the guidance of his great great grandmother, Kupuna Kapua Pai at Ku’u Home Ola in Lapakahi, North Kohala, Papa Auwae was groomed in the traditional medicinal healing methods of his ancestors.

Born in 1906, “Papa” Auwae was chosen at the age of seven by his great-great- grandmother to receive the training of La’au Lapa’au (Hawaiian herbal healing) at Lapakahi in Kohala. Tutu always told him “God put the plants on earth for all people, not just Hawaiians. And it’s not for sale or to profit from.” During his lifetime, with his wife Agnes Hiilawe Kela Auwae, in addition to raising twenty children, sixteen of their own and four mo’opuna, he helped hundreds of people with his healing work. He also passed on this knowledge to his haumana so they could take care of themselves and their families. When he passed at the age of 94 on December 31, 2000, he was treating 300 patients. His family has grown to include over 300 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His legacy continues in his ohana with his Konoiho (one chosen) Kumu Jeanella, and her husband, Kehaulani.

Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage is a "traditional native healing art and culture." My kupuna, Auntie Margaret Machado defines Hawaiian Lomilomi as: "The loving touch, a connection between heart, hand, and soul with the source of all life." A praying work.

There is little written history of Lomilomi massage and its proper uses. Throughout the Polynesian Islands and Hawai'i this highly revered art was kept primarily as a family occupation. Because of the spiritual knowledge necessary to be a truly successful practitioner, it was believed that only a chosen few were capable of understanding the reasons behind the healings. Frequently the village priests or kahunas would train the successor to the family knowledge over a period of years to be sure of his or her abilities and sincerity in becoming a healer. There are also stories of a method called "Laying on of Hands" passed from the kahuna to the trainee, where the kahuna chanted ancient prayers that would infuse the student with the ability to feel the healing energies that he or she would be working with to help others during Lomilomi treatments.

There are actually many facets involved in an authentic Lomilomi massage, both spiritual and physical. Auntie Margaret Machado has emphasized many times that "Hawaiian Lomilomi is a loving touch." She further promotes guaranteed success by the loving touch. "Love that body as if it were your own," perhaps one of the secrets of her technique. "If your hands are gentle and loving, your patient will feel the sincerity of your heart. His soul will reach out to yours, and the Lord's healing will flow through both of you."

This universal formula of healing is our love flowing from the heart through the hands. A touch from soul to soul, which is shared with all those who come, willing to learn how to love and help others. The true secret to a successful loving touch practice.

Aloha ke Akua