The Course of Study

Ka Moʻohaʻawina

Ma Ka Hana ka ʻike

Knowledge is gained by doing
– ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, Mary Kawena Pukuʻi

Nā Kumu Lāʻau Lapaʻau Keoki Kīkaha Pai Baclayon and Leinaʻala Bright, with the support of Sustain Hawaiʻi and the Administration for Native Americans, offered a unique opportunity to engage in this deep foundational course with the objective of helping interested students become cultural practitioners of lāʻau lapaʻau and perpetuate Hawaiʻi’s tradition of health and healing.

The three-year course was based in Waimānalo on Oʻahu. Classes began in November 2020 and continue through September of 2023, growing the experience of the haumāna through hands-on experience.

The kumu and the class cohort of haumāna have committed to working together over the three-year course period in order to develop the kāne and wāhine that will carry the kumu’s ʻike and moʻomeheu lapaʻau into the future.

What does ʻĒwekea Piʻi Moʻo Lāʻau Lapaʻau mean?

“ʻĒwekea Piʻi Moʻo Lāʻau Lapaʻau is the name that was given to this class cohort, with much aloha.

“ʻĒwe Kea” is actually two words that refer to the rootlets of the plants, rootlets that reach out to other rootlets. These rootlets create pathways. The new rootlets are generally a lot fairer, so we give them the name ʻēwekea, the fair rootlets. ʻĒwekea is the light for lāʻau lapaʻau and represents the new students, who are the roots for the future that will eventually feed the whole of the plant.

Ēwekea Piʻi Mo’o . . .”piʻi” means “to climb” and “moʻo” refers to our history or moʻolelo or genealogy, in this case in reference to lāʻau lapaʻau. Collectively throughout Hawaiʻi, we have many genealogies of lāʻau lapaʻau and this is our call out to all of the healers in Hawaiʻi Nei to share openly, as much as possible, with those around them and to be inspired by the positive effect that the sharing of lāʻau lapaʻau can have on our families and communities.”

Kumu Keoki 

ʻŌlena Roots

Videos

We invite you to take a look into what the haumāna are learning.

Course Content Focuses

Each year (unit) of this lā’au lapa’au intensive course centers on three distinct content areas, which include: 

  • I ka wā i hala (The Past)
  • I kēia wā (The Present)​
  • I ka wā ma hope (The Future)​
Year One Learning Objectives

Our haumāna will:

Understand

  1. that our ancestors will provide wisdom if we remain open to hearing them;
  2. that the past informs the present and the future and
  3. the importance of getting in touch with Hawaiian lineal/cultural identity.

Know 

  1. the importance of silence and listening;
  2. that the practice of lāʻau lapaʻau involves the whole person and spirit;
  3. that lāʻau lapaʻau is not a cultural practice solely based on using plants for healing but is highly spiritual and requires sacrifice;
  4. there is no room for the ego and
  5. that letting go is critical

Do

  1. Effectively listen with your eyes;
  2. pay attention with mind, body and spirit; remain silent and engage in deep meditation and prayer;
  3. use discernment with more clarity;
  4. listen and speak to Akua and
  5. become a better channel for divine healing energy.

Year One Assignments and Assessments
Pre-assessment on lāʻau
Journaling
Reflection papers
Report on ancestral lineage
Written assessment on plant recognition and benefits
Group presentations
Qualitative analysis and discussions
Year end post-assessment