All is Well

There are very real reasons why Hawaii—and especially Hawaii Island—is becoming known as one of the world’s great “wellness” destinations. It goes beyond our superb spas and our nurturing natural environment.

The Big Island offers a wide spectrum of healing traditions that can reenergize and rejuvenate. Native Hawaiian kupuna (elders) and kahuna (experts, teachers, priests) share indigenous wisdom and guidance through their cultural practices, including lomilomi massage, laau lapaau (using native plants in healing practices) and hooponopono (“to make right” with others through soul-searching, self-awareness and forgiveness). Imbuing all of these healing arts is the most important concept of all: aloha.

Other healing traditions in Hawaii come from immigrant Chinese who brought acupuncture and herbal medicines, and Japanese who brought reiki (“life energy”), a form of healing focusing on releasing the flow of energy and allowing the body to heal itself.

Hawaii Island also boasts practitioners who offer a broad range of additional healing modalities, and you can find a wide variety of educational retreats in beautiful natural surroundings.

Spas offer treatments such as coffee exfoliation, papaya skin therapies, sugarcane scrubs, honey rubs and ti leaf body wraps designed to purify and tone the skin.

Many resorts also offer fitness centers with classes and guided walks to tone and strengthen your body. Hit the tennis court or one of our world-class golf courses. Hike, bike, scuba-dive, swim, surf—you can do it all on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The Island of Hawaii is imbued with mana (spiritual power). Consider making a pilgrimage to a sacred site. These range from ancient Hawaiian heiau (temples) to remote mountain peaks. Eco-adventures can take you deep into the wild natural places—volcano-heated warm-water ponds, massage-giving waterfalls, lava fields with ancient symbols (petroglyphs) carved into the rock.

It’s easy to eat healthy here too. Hawaii Island has plenty of fresh, organic, locally-grown foods at roadside stands and farmers markets, and in stores and restaurants.

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