Lāʻau Lapaʻau: Reviving the Sacred Healing Traditions of Hawaii
Introduction: Healing Through ʻŌlelo and ʻĀina
In Hawaiʻi, healing is not merely a remedy—it is a sacred relationship with the land, ancestors, and spirit. Traditional Hawaiian plant medicine, known as lāʻau lapaʻau, is rooted in generations of ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge), pule (prayer), and oli (chant). These practices reflect the deep aloha and kuleana our people have for ʻāina. As we strive to uplift our communities, we honor the healing legacy that continues to thrive today.
What Is Lāʻau Lapaʻau? Healing Rooted in Nature
Lāʻau lapaʻau refers to Native Hawaiian healing practices using medicinal plants in ways that nurture mind, body, and spirit. Passed down through oral tradition and spiritual training, practitioners (kumu or kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau) learn to prepare remedies with intention—through pule, oli, and careful stewardship of nature. This is not just herbalism—it is a spiritual practice built on deep respect for the land and all living beings.
Plants That Heal: ʻŌlena, ʻAwa, and More
Here are a few powerful plants used in lāʻau lapaʻau, many of which grow abundantly across Hawaiʻi:
- ʻAwa (Kava) – Calms the nervous system, supports kidney health, and relieves anxiety.
- ʻŌlena (Turmeric) – Known for anti-inflammatory properties, used in teas, salves, and for ear infections.
- Māmaki – Supports digestion, balances blood pressure, and strengthens immunity.
- Naupaka – Applied topically to soothe sunburns and reduce pain.
- Pōpolo, Kukui, and ʻAwapuhi Kuahiwi – Treat respiratory issues, wounds, and skin irritations.
Each plant carries not only medicinal benefits but also spiritual energy—so they are gathered with aloha, protocol, and pule.
Cultural Resilience: Reclaiming and Integrating Traditional Healing
Following the Hawaiian cultural renaissance of the 1970s, there was a revitalization of practices once suppressed. Lāʻau lapaʻau, once practiced in secrecy, is now returning to the center of cultural life. Today, clinics like the Maʻiola Services at Waimānalo Health Center offer integrated care blending lāʻau lapaʻau, lomilomi (traditional massage), ho‘oponopono (conflict resolution), and Western medicine.
Even AlohaCare now covers lomilomi massage—affirming the legitimacy and importance of indigenous healing.
Why Lāʻau Lapaʻau Matters Today: Health, Heritage, and Harmony
In a time of rising health concerns and environmental disconnection, lāʻau lapaʻau offers a path back to wellness rooted in culture and care:
- Holistic Wellness – Treats the whole person, not just the symptoms.
- Cultural Preservation – Revives ʻike kupuna and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through practice.
- Mālama ʻĀina – Encourages sustainable relationships with the land through respectful gathering and stewardship.
How to Engage with Lāʻau Lapaʻau: With Aloha and Kuleana
Whether you are reconnecting to ancestral roots or seeking a deeper relationship with Hawaiʻi, here are pono ways to begin:
- Attend Community Workshops – Learn directly from respected kumu or cultural organizations.
- Visit Integrative Clinics – Clinics like Maʻiola provide guided access to culturally based care.
- Grow Mindfully at Home – Start with plants like māmaki or ʻōlena, and cultivate with respect.
- Learn the Moʻolelo – Engage with chants, stories, and teachings passed down through kūpuna.
- Share with ʻOhana – Healing is communal. Bring these practices into your home with humility and aloha.
Conclusion: Ahoʻi Mālama, Ahoʻi Ola – To Heal is to Return to Care
Lāʻau lapaʻau is not just about what we take from the land—it’s about how we give back. It is aloha in action: a commitment to balance, respect, and remembrance. As we carry these practices forward, we restore not only our bodies but our identity, our ʻohana, and our future.
Mahalo nui loa for joining us on this journey. May your heart be grounded in aloha, and your path guided by mālama ʻāina and ʻike kupuna.
