LAWAI — Traditional medicine, herbs for healing and authentic Hawaiian practices are infiltrating the Lawai International Center Saturday, March 30.
It’s part workshop, part demonstration, with Hawaiian cultural practitioner Sean Chun, set for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and organizers say about 50 people have registered.
And it’s not just medicinal plants that will be on the table.
“Really, (it’s) about prayer, hope, ho‘oponopono (Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness), and la‘au, which is medicinal herbs,” Chun said. “We’ll talk about an overview of traditional Hawaiian healing, history, talk about various arts that are practiced.”
Chun will be sharing healing arts along with kumu Levon Ohai and Ken “Coach” Kamakea.
Chun says he doesn’t teach workshops like this often, but likes to do so to help instill knowledge of real, traditional Hawaiian practices.
“A lot that’s out there today isn’t really traditional,” he said. “I try to do it to bring more awareness.”
Chun is a renowned Hawaiian cultural practitioner. He combines mana‘o (knowledge) he’s gained from many teachers throughout the years and from different islands.
“They took me in and I learned from them,” Chun said. “A lot of them have passed already. There’s not much people that practice a lot of the stuff that they taught.”
The workshop is just a dip in the water when it comes to traditional healing and Hawaiian cultural practices. Chun says he has students who have been with him for 10 years and they’re now just starting to “really learn.”
“It takes a lot of time and effort, energy and commitment,” he said.
It will be a chance to pick up a few tips and techniques for things like conflict resolution, drug addiction, suicide and mental health.
It will also provide options for everyday issues with medicine or simple techniques from massage, Chun said.
“Especially on this island, we do need healing, any way we can,” he said.
Holding the workshop and demonstration at the Lawai International Center is fitting, as one of the main focuses of the center is healing, connection and contemplation.
“It’s a good combination of place, time and people who really understand what healing’s all about,” Chun said.
Light refreshments will be served. A minimum donation of $25 is requested. For reservations, text or call 639-5952, or email paradisekauai@yahoo.com. Registration on site will be at 9:30 a.m.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
