TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN HEALING PRACTICES
The fourth meeting of the "International Women of Hawaii" took place on Monday, March 5, 2012 from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Aloha Center for Spiritual Living in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Thirty guests were in attendance from a variety of nationalities.
Mrs. Betsy Jones, facilitator, welcomed everyone and explained that the International Women of Hawaii meeting is an activity of Women's Federation for World Peace. She shared that twenty years ago she and other accompanied Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon to hold WFWP inaugural meetings in 12 states in the United States. She explained that there currently are chapters in 35 states, and WFWP has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. She then thanked the Aloha Center and its leader, Mrs. Sherry Scott, for welcoming us at their facility.
The program opened with Mary Ellen Legay and Robin Tsubota leading the group in the song "I Believe". Mrs. Mayumi Frumin, representing WFWP, then presented the guest speaker, Babette Lilinoe Galang, with a flower lei.
Mrs. Jones then gave an introduction to Babette, who was born on Oahu and is currently the Complementary Health Officer at the Papa Ola Lokahi (an organization to promote health care for native Hawaiians) in Honolulu. Babette spoke on the topic of "Native Hawaiian Traditional Healing Practices", which she has devoted her life to preserve. Her PowerPoint presentation included detailed information on La'au Lapa'au (herbal medicine), Lomi Lomi (massage) and Ho'oponopono (conflict resolution), including photos and biographical sketches of the most recent masters of each discipline. She shared some fascinating personal stories of her training with Papa Henry Auwai, the master of Hawaiian herbal medicine, and with Auntie Malia Craver, the master of Hawaiian massage.
Mrs. Jones presented a card and gift to Babette at the conclusion of her presentation and thanked each co-sponsor of the event: WFWP, Hawaiian Queen Coffee and the Pacific Rim Education Foundation. Masa Matsuzaki presented Babette with a bag of Hawaiian Queen Coffee.
All enjoyed a delicious lunch and lively discussion about the topics presented. One participant reported that her grandson had some ailment healed through the work of Papa Henry some years ago. The meeting closed with the group singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth."