#Lomilomi

Approximately a dozen community groups and cultural practitioners provided complimentary massages, yoga sessions and more for staff at the Women’s Community Correctional Center’s first wellness fair Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

In the wake of the devastating wildfires on Maui last August, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi has been involved in several community efforts to help those impacted by the tragedy. One of these efforts is a grassroots collective called Laukanaka to provide and deploy traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices to those impacted by the Maui wildfires.

Regular weekend gatherings at the Hyatt Regency Maui and Royal Lahaina Hotel have become part of the healing process for survivors of the August wildfires on Maui. In partnership with Hui Ho‘omalu and Laukanaka, Kamehameha Schools, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and the hotel shel­ters, the Office of Wellness and Resilience has been coordinating the gatherings since early October.

Through a grant-funded partnership with local nonprofit Hui No Ke Ola Pono, full tuition sponsorship is being offered to Native Hawaiian participants.

Lomilomi massage has a long tradition in the islands, which was used to bring healing and good health to the island natives. The original lomilomi providers were kahunas or healers, and they would combine prayers, healing herbs and gentle touch to restore health in their patients. Another traditional name for lomilomi providers was ka po […]

Hawaii medical experts existed long before Western medicine began to make an appearance on the islands. Before modern medicine became the treatment option of choice, many Hawaiians relied on ancient forms of Hawaiian healthcare to keep them healthy and strong. Although the Western influence is now strong throughout the islands, the ancient traditions can still […]