OUR PHILOSOPHY

The ʻaina (land) and kai (ocean) not only have spiritual healing properties, but also help through physiological processes. The loʻi kalo is like an external probiotic helping to bring balance from the outside in. The salinity of the kai (ocean) is similar to the human body. Because it does, being in and around the water has a calming and soothing affect.

Lomi lomi massage plays an important role in bringing and maintaining wellness. We hold stress in our bodies in the form of muscle tension. We want providers to experience the release of the stress incurred from their job and learn the value of receiving body work on a regular basis.

Sometimes just being in nature is healing. No conversations are needed. Just being in the loʻi kalo with one's hands in the soil and communing with the plants can bring connection and peace. Wading out on the reef with the steadfast tradewinds blowing in oneʻs face and the rhythmic rumble of the waves in the distance can be therapeutic and calming.

Culturally, local people are sometimes not very verbal when it comes to expressing their innermost thoughts and feelings. There are times after a catastrophic incident, where responders do not want to have conversations. The loʻi kalo, the kai, and lomi lomi are vehicles that provide healthy nonverbal means to release the stress incurred from being a first responder.

Another key piece in our philosophy is to be guided by input from field personnel. We want all that we do to be relevant and useful.

We, at Hoʻohanu, strive to infuse aloha in all that we do. Aunty Pilahi Paki has gifted us with a simple A-L-O-H-A acronym to guide us in our daily lives.

A - Akahai or kindness expressed with kindness

L - Lokahi or unity expressed with harmony

O - ʻOlu ʻOlu or agreeable expressed with pleasantness

H - Haʻahaʻa or humility expressed with modesty

A - Ahonui or patience expressed with perseverance into all that we do.