On the forested slopes of Haleakala, the East Maui Volcano,
Ho'omana Spa Maui opens its doors to spa-goers and massage-enthusiasts from
around the world, holding space for profound healing and deep learning. For
seven months, I lived and worked on this two-acre retreat, amongst native Hawaiian
plants and loving people dedicated to a noble cause: to share ancient Hawaiian
healing concepts with visitors, welcome them like family, and give light
through the transformational art-form of lomi lomi massage.
My roles here were plentiful and constantly evolving: I
greeted guests in the spa, promoted Jeana Iwalani Naluai's lomi lomi trainings
on various marketing platforms, helped her husband and co-owner Justin behind
the scenes, and took care of their three beautifully energetic children after
school. With each of these hats came an array of obstacles and rewards, but one
gift stands out as an overarching experience-- that is, the blessed position to
witness the power of loving touch in all its rippling ways.
The compassion that is so rooted in Hawaiian culture, the
Aloha Spirit, is like honey: it pulls to center the logistical frays of running
a family business with its sticky strength, toward a core belief in the work
being done here; it is sweet, ever-reminding those who've tasted the love that
all the sweat is making the world better.
One massage at a time, one guest at a time, Ho'omana Spa
Maui touches the lives of guests every day. It may be simple relaxation that
spa-goers are hoping for when they drive up Pi'iholo Road through the trees and
away from the hustle-bustle of coastal Maui. But I see day after day—I feel it—
that something more is happening.
Lomi lomi massage is a rhythmic modality. Using soft
forearms and long, deep strokes, lomi therapists are working to reach the
bones, which in ancient Hawaiian culture hold the richness and wisdom of
ancestral connection. Time and time again, a client will glide out of a
treatment room, into the living room-style reception space, and will say,
"I feel like a new person. I've never had a massage like that before!"
In my ears, this rings as, What in the
world are you doing here that feels so divine?
My answer to all those spa-goers out there, who answered the
call for self-care and found a richer experience than you'd hoped for: You are
the same you as you were when you walked in. So what happened? That, my dear stranger-friend,
is the power of loving touch.
We carry ourselves through the world with thoughts in our
mind, worries, doubts, passions, overwhelming emotions, heavy baggage,
memories, and inspirations-- and all of our experiences shape us. Every day we
become more unique, for the moments we create and crash into each add a story
to the narrative of our lives.
This wonderfully open landscape of possibilities comes with
a hard truth: As our lived experiences contribute to our own independent ways
of being in the world, the need to feel connected to others remains strong.
This is where the power of loving touch begins to shine, and this is what I’ve
taken away from my experience at Ho’omana.
No matter what kind of dreams your busily pursuing, whatever
tasks fill the hours of your days, remember this: We are not alone in this
world and were never meant to be. The power of loving touch is strong, and
everyone holds it! Seek it, find it, and share
it. That is the Aloha Spirit.
As I make my way to the planes of Western Colorado, I intend
to carry this spirit of Aloha with me always.
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