HILO, HI – March 1, 2020 – Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi (Hui Mālama) announces the 2020 series of Laʻau Lapaʻau Workshops for Hawaiʻi island. The workshops provide a first-hand opportunity to learn about traditional Hawaiian healing practices, including an introduction into laʻau lapaʻau, hoʻoponopono, lomilomi ha ha, and laʻau kahea. Workshops are presented by Poʻokela Ikaika Dombrigues who emphasizes the importance of traditional wisdom as a way to uplift and heal people of Hawaiʻi.
Poʻokela Ikaika began learning about the healing powers of Laʻau Lapaʻau from a young age, with knowledge passed on from his kahuna and ancestors. He explains, “Laʻau lapaʻau is a practice that’s been in the Hawaiian islands for thousands of years. It has to do with natural herbs from the land, plants, animals, and minerals from the ocean. Through the power of pule (prayer), we apply it to our bodies. It’s a very spiritual connection that falls upon the person who needs help.” Although the practice of laʻau lapaʻau has been around for thousands of years, the ancient knowledge was at risk of disappearing in the last century. With a commitment to sharing this knowledge, Hui Mālama offers these Laʻau Lapaʻau workshops to help empower the community and to perpetuate and revitalize these practices.
This traditional knowledge about plants and herbs can help to manage a multitude of health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and stress. The Laʻau Lapaʻau workshops are free and offered to the public island-wide in Hilo, Kona, Kaʻū, North Hawaiʻi, and Puna.
Hilo – Saturday, March 14, Aunty Sally’s Lūʻau Hale • 9am – 3pm
Waimea – Saturday, April 4, Waimea Park Community Center • 10am – 3pm
Kona – Saturday, May 2, Old Kona Airport Special Events Pavilion • 10am – 3pm
Kau – Saturday June 6, Kaʻū District Gym • 10am – 3pm
Puna – Saturday, July 11, Pāhoa Community Center • 9am – 3pm
Light refreshments are provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch.
The Laʻau Lapaʻau workshops are part of Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi efforts to preserve and share traditional Hawaiian healing practices. The Traditional Hawaiian Healing program is dedicated to sharing the knowledge of Hawaiian cultural values, beliefs, history, and the practice of traditional kanaka maoli lapaʻau (Hawaiian healing). To learn more about upcoming workshops and classes, please contact the Hui Mālama Traditional Hawaiian Healing team at (808) 969-9220. (All Hawaiian language in the Traditional Hawaiian Healing department is translated by Poʻokela Ikaika Dombrigues.)
