More Rules to Live By

At the Hawaiian Lomilomi Association conference this past October, Kauhi Ho'opi'i referred to my prior post giving Aunty Mona Kahele's "Rules to Live By." Kauhi had his own set of rules, which I love, and he gave me permission to reprint them here:

1. Put your love and trust in God
2. Respect others
3. Mastery of self
4. Find "Joy" in service
5. There is no room for "EGO"
6. Learn to forgive yourself and others
7. Always be teachable

I love all of these, but the last one especially. Though Kauhi was a featured speaker at the event, he always deferred to the kupuna, paid attention during the presentations and continued to learn. How many people do we see take a weekend lomi class and then begin teaching others, never to take a class again? Kupuna Kaneakua, who is in his 70s, recently told me about a class he just took. These are the best teachers - the ones who know they will never be masters, because there is always more to learn.

That's one of the reasons I wrote my books. The wisdom of the kupuna in those books can be read again and again, and we will always learn something new. www.LomilomiBook.com

Mahalo for Book Launch

Mahalo to all the folks who participated in the book launch Nov. 9. About 250 people came out! Mahalo to LiAnn Uyeda who helped make it special by bringing kumu hula Blaine Kia and his halau, musician Sean Tiwanak and his group, and Aunty Mahealani Kuamo'o speaking on ho'oponopono ke ala. Mahalo to Kekuni Blaisdell, M.D., who created a song for John Kalani Zak and me right on the spot! Mahalo to our speakers Alapa'i Kahu'ena and Ramsay Taum. Mahalo to Maile Meyer and the folks at Native Books for sponsoring it, and Lulani Arquette and Dorien Smith McClellan of Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association for their support. Mahalo nui loa to Kalama and his crew of practitioners who gave away lomilomi all evening long! What a wonderful special surprise to have them there!

Mahalo to all our honorees who were there, Aunty Mary Fragas, Papa K, and Koni (all from the big island), Kupuna Kaneakua, Donald and Yvonne Kaiahua, Ho'okahi Ho'oulu, Alva Andrews, Brenda Mohalapua Ignacio, Eri Virden, Aoi Wright, Judson McCandless, Jeana Naluai (who came from Maui), and our keiki haumana Hekili Kaiahua, Kamehanaokala Ruiz and Maika'i Medeiros.

Mahalo to Pali Jae Lee who signed books and met her fans.

Mahalo to our models who came, cover girl Liz Lalo'ulu, Mary Church, Tracey Russell, Sandy Mew-McRoberts, Valerie Au, David Virden, and Shelle Silva. A special mahalo to my "model husband" Mark Chai for not only being a model but also making the beautiful Mahalo cards we gave to each kumu, and for hauling books, books and more books.

Mahalo to our 'ohana for making food, bringing lei and exuding aloha: kupuna Elizabeth Pa Chai, and Lehua, Marianne, Michael, Lori, Norman and Casey Chai.

Mahalo to everyone who came!