Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 4, 1 April 1994 — Ola kino o nā Hawaiʻi Hawaiian healih horizons [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ola kino o nā Hawaiʻi Hawaiian healih horizons

E ho'omau lomilomi

Part three of a four-part series by Helen Kanawaliwali 0'Connor Mary Kawena Pūku'i, Hawaiian scholar, defines the word "lōkahi" as "unity, agreement, accord, unison, harmony, agree, in unity." The mana'o of my kūpuna on lōkahi is "to live in harmony and balance with God, nature and man" as our ancestors, kānaka maoli, did for many generations. Our ancestors established agreements of mutual giving and receiving with Ke Akua (God) by always starting eaeh day, eaeh task, every action with prayer for the benefit of all. Likewise, they ended their day in prayer by asking for forgiveness and making restitution in a "ho'oponopono" session, in the event they may have hurt or offended any family member, nature or god. Ho'oponopono is defined as a family therapy to set or make right. Our ancestors honored, respected and took great care of their natural environment includ-

ing the land, oeean, all of nature and the elements. They accepted the responsibility as caretakers and knew that by taking good care they would be blessed. They asked permission before taking or using anything in nature. Fishermen and farmers observed and worked with the lunar and earth's natural cycles. Daily actions were done in unity and unison with nature and the elements.

Good family relations were the foundation of the Hawaiian eulture. Families of four or more generations lived, prayed, loved, worked, shared and cared for eaeh other. From birth, children were taught by their tutu kāne and tutu wahine the values and respect of good action and thoughts in order to benefit family, nature and the land. Improper actions would bring disgrace or shame to the family. The basic principles of "lōkahi" are the means and way to become all that Akua intended

you to be. Know that you are a part of the whole and all things are a part of you. What occurs around you and within you reflects who you truly are. Today, life is far more complex with a multitude of responsibilities tugging at us from all directions, draining our energy, thus causing an imbalance in our lives. The vitality of the kanaka maoli starts with eaeh individual taking responsibility for oneself and keeping oneself "pono." In so doing, practicing personal lōkahi is a reality eheek of your spiritual, mental and physical state. You must start lōkahi first with the physical body. The body helps you eope with all your burdens; but it often hides your true state of being from you. A one-hour lomilomi session ean quickly make you aware of the stress your body has endured for you, sometimes without your full awareness. Regular sessions help to reduce the buildup of a more severe or chronic condition.

Lomilomi is Hawai'i's traditional native massage that needs to be treasured and returned to the daily life of the modern Hawaiian. This traditional art brings about rapid relief and relaxation to tense, stressed muscles. It is by far the most pleasurable of all preventive heahh care measures. Kamehameha Schools through its continuing education program is providing introductory lomilomi classes taught by Jimmy Kealohaokalani Lewis. Jimmy had everything going for him in the Western sense — successful lifestyle with houses, cars, family and good paying job. When hard eeonomie times eame, he lost all these signs of Western success.

Since that time, whether by fate or by ancestral calling, Jimmy's life path has led him to keeping alive the art of lomilomi. A descendant of a long line of traditional healers, he is one of the few who are lucky enough to heed and follow the eall of their soul. The

work of lomilomi has uplifted him, revitalized his spirit and drawn out his unique talents. Jimmy is in harmony and has achieved lōkahi. In addition to being a student of Aunty Margaret Machado, he had the good fortune to have his own Aunty Kahaunanaiomaunakea Mokiao and Enoka Kaina share their mana'o with him before they passed away. Today, Jimmy and his partners carry on the work of Kahau and Enoka at Lomilomi Ola. You will find it refreshing to take his lomilomi classes and your family will love you for it.

All Hawaiian lomilomi practitioners wishing to attend a statewide Hawaiian lomilomi gathering Aug. 11-13 at Kamehameha Schools should contact Keoni K. Agard at 545-2922, or Helen Kanawaliwali 0'Connor at 254-3555.