Meet Makanihouolana’ihale Tabura | Kahu & Cultural Practitioner in Traditional Hawaiian Healing

We had the good fortune of connecting with Makanihouolana’ihale Tabura and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Makanihouolana’ihale, what inspires you?
I have always been inspired by what Hawaiian people call, ‘Ike Kupuna. ‘ike Kupuna, is ancestral /indigenous knowledge and ways of thinking. Every one of us have come from somewhere, some place or from someone, we are all indigenous people. In my career in the mental health and addictions field, I would constantly ask myself, “what did my Ancestors do?” I wanted to figure out a way to utilize, Native, traditional practices in contemporary, western times.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work started when I was in Junior high school, on the Hawaiian Island of Lana’i. I was taught traditional Hawaiian healing practices by my grandparents. My Mother was the Director of a Youth Center where we worked with “at-risk” youth. Growing up in an environment that taught me to kokua, help others especially a population of youth and some adults whom are often forgot had always stuck with me. My grandmother would always say, whatever you do, personally or professionally make culture your foundation and always Aloha and kokua (help) others. I never thought in a million years I would be doing what I do today. For the last 10 years I’ve had the opportunity to utilize indigenous and cultural practices in a western medical setting. I am currently the Director of Cultural Practices and Education for a behavioral health organization, Imua Health Group and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. I am also the Owner of 3Piko, a Traditional Hawaiian health, wellness and healing company.
I like to say my “job” is to show up at a certain place at a certain time to do work. However, my responsibility is to provide Traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices specifically in the field of addiction/substance abuse therapy, Mental Health and Pain Management.
I am fortuante to say that collaboration with western medical practitioners was key in the success of my programs and career. I am most proud of the substance abuse therapy curriculum I created a handful of years ago called “Kealaokekoa” the path of a Warrior. At the time, the National success rate of an outpatient, 12 week, intense therapy program was about 16%, recidivate rate was 86%. Our clinic was doing slightly better at a 67% success rate. A year and a half into our curriculum which we integrated with our western method took our clinic numbers to a 86% success rate and dropped our recidivate rate to about 16%.
However, it wasn’t easy. There were numerous obstacles, there was heavy push back, I was stuck between an indigenous rock and a western hard place. The the first obstacle was finding western medical providers that were open to indigenous practices and methods of healing. The next biggest obstacle was the Native Elders. They were adamant about keeping our practices separate from the western methods of healing and medical practices. One side didn’t believe in traditional practices, the other side carried generational trauma. I was determined to merge the two. I kept my Mother and Grandmother’s philosophy in mind, no matter what you do, your foundation is to utilize culture and help others. The most difficult thing I had to do was go against an Elders Council of healers. The very council who gifted me the title of “Kahu” and certified me as a Traditional Hawaiian Healer, who I spent close to 10 years studying under.
As difficult as this is to say, I have learned that sometimes, a very rare sometimes we have to go against a few elders in order to help the majority of others.
I hope one day the world could sees that the foundation of our success or any success for that matter is Aloha. Its not just a greeting of Hello or goodbye. Aloha is our innate ability to be kind and generous in our thoughts and actions, to work together and help others in harmony, to be patient and humble. Although I share with you Hawaiian practices, I encourage others, to ask yourself, “what did my ancestors do?”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If its winter, and because I surf, when Im in Colorado, definitely snowboarding! Steamboat, Copper Mountain and Vail my favorite go to! I’d spend the week trying to make it to all 3 spots. However, I love Colorado in the Spring. I make it a point to visit as many cultural sites as possible, Mesa Verde, Ute museum, pay respect and offerings at Sand Creek.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout definitely goes to my Ohana Kupuna, family and ancestors who have taught me and entrusted me with their knowledge. And all other Indigenous thinkers and practitioners. Also to Dr. Nicole Wright and Dr. Winslow Engle, and all other western medical providers who gave me the opportunity to utilize indigenous practices in a western medical facility.

Website: https://imuahealthgroup.com/

Instagram: @3_piko

Linkedin: Makani Tabura

Youtube: https://www.pbshawaii.org/la%ca%bbau-lapa%ca%bbau/

Other: https://www.culturised.com/