Leila Ryusaki

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Childbirth Educator (CBE), Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor (IBC) and Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

Leila Ryusaki joined Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi in July 2017 to design and lead the Healthy Hāpai Perinatal Program Initiative. With a grant awarded from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Leila has developed and initiated an exciting new program titled Papa Lawe Hānai Kaiāulu – To Raise a Village of Perinatal Community Health Workers. Papa Lawe Hānai Kaiāulu is a haumana (student) mentorship training program designed for those who are interested in growing their knowledge in pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, newborn care, breastfeeding, and positive parenting.  These haumāna (students) will be able to help serve childbearing women on Hawaiʻi island.

Leila started her career in the healthcare field more than 15 years ago with a background in Community Health Outreach and Early Childhood Education.  In 2007, she accepted a position at North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital where she worked for 10 years. It was this work at the Waimea Women’s Center, which piqued her interest in working with mothers and babies.  Leila had the privilege to work alongside and be mentored by four Certified Nurse Midwives, to conceptualize and start the hospital’s CenteringPregnancy prenatal care program.  She worked as a Patient Care Coordinator & Facilitator for the CenteringPregnancy program and a postpartum Breastfeeding Counselor in the clinic.  Also during her time there, she furthered her training and education by becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor and Lamaze Childbirth Educator.  Leila recently received her certification as an Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor and became a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Prenatal and Postpartum Massage, Infant Massage, and Lomilomi.  Most impressively, she is part of a hui (organization) known as Ka Lāhui O Ka Pō, based out of Oʻahu.  This group is comprised of Native Hawaiian women who have committed to the perpetuation of kūpuna (ancestors’) traditions of pregnancy and birth through researching and teaching.

Born and raised in Hilo, Leila finds joy in spending time with her four children (Keanalani, Keanu, Hāloa and Kaiha’o), her grandson (Kolten), husband (Jason) and her large extended ‘ohana!  She is a member of the ‘Ahahui Kaʻahumanu Society of Hilo and currently serves as a board member as Ilāmuku (Sergeant of Arms).  With her love of hula since the age of 4, Leila has danced competitively, professionally and as a cultural practitioner.  She is currently a haumana (student) of Hālau Nā Kīpuʻupuʻu of Waimea, and was privileged to be part of their statewide and international tour of the highly acclaimed hula drama, Hānau Ke Aliʻi.  In her leisure time, she loves traveling, vacationing, crafting, and DIY-ing!

Leila’s passion for supporting mothers, babies, and families has been integral in the planning, developing, actualizing, and delivery of the Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi Healthy Hāpai program.  Now her unending dedication to her family, her community, her island home, and Native Hawaiian culture will prove to be an essential part of preserving, perpetuating and promoting a healthy lāhui (people) through Papa Lawe Hānai Kaiāulu. 

“It takes a village to raise a child… it also takes a village to support its women”   ~Leila Ryusaki, 2020