Maui wildfires one year later: recovery efforts through Native Hawaiian healing practices

In the wake of the devastating wildfires on Maui last August, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi has been involved in several community efforts to help those impacted by the tragedy.

One of these efforts is a grassroots collective called Laukanaka to provide and deploy traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices to those impacted by the Maui wildfires.

The program connected Hawaiian cultural practitioners specializing in lomilomi (traditional massage) and hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution) for those impacted by the Maui fires. UnitedHealthcare supported the effort through a $25,000 grant that partially funded the initiative.

Laukanaka consists of two traditional “Pā” or school of learning. Pā Iwi Ola under the direction of Kumu Enrick Ortiz and wife Kaʻiulani Akamine, and Haku Hoʻoponopono Practitioners from Loea (experts) Richard and Lynette Paglinawan. Both groups work in tandem to offer an impactful cultural approach of healing for the wildfire survivors.

“The Hawaiian word ʻLaukanaka’ means ‘many people,’ in this instance, many people; lomilomi and hoʻoponopono practitioners coming together to serve those impacted by this recent tragedy,” said licensed massage therapist Enrick Ortiz of Pā Iwi Ola, whose business provides lomilomi therapeutic massages.

“Laukanaka” also implies inclusion of the many survivors who are “navigating their unique healing journey,” said Leni English, a Haku Hoʻoponopono Practitioner.

Through the program, the community affirmed the value of cultural practitioners as an effective and impactful response to healing, English added

“Laukanaka was deployed soon after the fire to help with the recovery by providing these Hawaiian healing sessions to foster a space of healing, respite and aloha,” said Ortiz, who operates Pā Iwi Ola with his wife, Kaiulani Akamine.

“At least 10 lomilomi and hoʻoponopono practitioners are deployed on a monthly basis to Maui to assist those impacted by the recent wildfires,” English said. “The community response has been positive. Many individuals and families, including children, frequently and regularly use our services. Laukanaka also offers a Keiki Korner with Aunty Kate (Kahoano)…and others who enjoy activities and kūkākūkā (talk story).”

Over the last 11 months, 931 Hawaiian healing sessions were provided to the Lahaina community, said Ortiz, consisting of 797 lomilomi sessions and 134 kūkākūkā sessions.

English credits the University of Hawai‘i Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana for being responsive to our community’s needs by organizing the initial resources that allowed for Laukanaka to launch quickly.

“UH Maui College became a hub of services for those impacted by the fires and many throughout the state,” English said. “Laukanaka was launched as a result of Enrick (of Pa Iwi Ola) reaching out to support Maui and our Chancellorʻs leadership.”

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort generously provided space for Laukanaka to serve the community in Lahaina, Ortiz said.

“For Hyatt management and staff, many of them were fire survivors themselves and were encouraged to use our services,” Ortiz added. “They shared how Laukanaka has had a positive impact on work morale.”

In addition to this latest effort to support the Maui Community, United Health Foundation previously announced a $500,000 donation directed to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Maui Food Bank. Additionally, UnitedHealth Group employees worldwide were encouraged to participate in the “United for Giving” program which matches employee contributions, dollar for dollar.

“UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi is committed to helping people live healthier lives and helping the health system work better for everyone,” said Kalani Redmayne, CEO for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi. “Supporting Laukanaka to bring culturally relevant forms of healing to communities impacted by the wildfires is just one way we are working to live our mission for the people of Hawaiʻi.”