The Meaning of "Healing Island"
(Part I)

I was recently asked about the name of this column, “Healing Island,” and to what it refers. I had to respond that I honestly did not know the origin, but I did know that the Big Island had had this name since before I started coming here in 1975.

A discussion ensued in which we speculated that perhaps the island bears this nickname because of the large numbers of and wide variety of alternative healers who reside here. Or maybe “Healing Island” might refer to the island’s place in Hawaiian history as a sanctuary where people came to seek out traditional healers and recover from illnesses.

Whatever the origin of the name, I think the island’s reputation has to do with something a bit more profound, and like the island itself, a bit more elemental than the numbers and types of healers who have been attracted to living here. The land itself seems to vibrate in such a way that it makes demands upon our individual, innate healing powers.

Perhaps a personal example might clarify this a bit. My wife and I have been coming to the Big Island almost yearly since 1980 for our own personal healing and rejuvenation. When we finally moved here a year and a half ago, we came with the joy, positive resolve and expectations that many newcomers carry with them when they relocate to “paradise” from the mainland.

Several friends who had lived here for many years told us that it takes a while to adjust to being here and that many newcomers move back to the mainland after being here a short while. At the time, I couldn’t quite grasp what they meant. I looked forward to manifesting my dream of being in a slowly-paced, island culture, growing tropical fruits and offering my services as a naturopathic physician.

As the initial elation of living in this beautiful place wore off, some of the inner “baggage” which I thought I had left on the mainland began to surface again. My friends were right — it has indeed taken a while to adjust. I noticed that other newcomers to the island were dealing with similar adjustment issues. I began to take a closer look at what was going on. I observed that the people who were having the most trouble adjusting to island living were those who came here in “escape mode.” They were having trouble adjusting to where they were previously living and were under the impression that once they moved to paradise, all would be well and their problems would magically disappear. Of course, we can never escape ourselves, and whatever problems we are having in being centered in one locale will accompany us no matter where we choose to move.

One difference is that there are fewer distractions on the Big Island than there are on the mainland; there are fewer things to take our energy away from our inner processes. Once we are here, there is no escape, no other place we can go to avoid confronting our issues.

There is also a tangible healing energy on the Big Island. It is in the fertile earth, the fragrant and fresh air, the pure ocean waters and in the fire of the volcano. It is in the Aloha spirit and the poetry of the people. It is in the traditions of song, dance, healing and forgiveness. All of this energy melts and strips away the layers of veneer that support our external, superficial selves and obscure our realization of our own true inner self. We are encouraged to look at both our veils and ourselves unveiled. This process often happens without our conscious awareness, and our reactions may manifest in psychological symptoms like anger, blame, depression and despair, and physical symptoms like allergies, digestive disturbances and frequent immune system challenges.

We are on this planet to attune as closely as we can with the highest vision of who we know ourselves to be. To “walk our talk”. Each one of us has a unique purpose, and is an integral part of the whole, When we stray from manifesting our highest visions in our moment-to-moment interactions with our environment, disharmony, or illness, results. On Hawai`i, the vibration of our magical island home forces the issue. It pushes us to be our best. For many, the pressure is too great, and they find they must leave the island. Those who accept the challenge are blessed with the opportunity to burn karma and tune in more closely with the energy of the Great Spirit.

This “Healing Island” seems to say to us, “Listen to your own heart. Be true to yourself. Do not look outside yourself for personal fulfillment. Open to the beauty within you and manifest that beauty in your every moment on this Earth. Attune to the rhythm of my oceans and the touch of my breezes and you will be healed.”