‘Awapuhi
Labyrinth
E Komo Mai | Welcome
Built in 1999, the ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth has become an integral part of this Puna neighborhood on the Big Island of Hawai’i.
Originally built in 1999 and 30 minutes south of Hilo, this site is beloved by local residents. Doug and Christy submitted a proposal to take over care of this idyllic site, which was selected on May 1st, May Day, 2024. We wish it to remain open to the public, matured into a bigger retreat or B&B centered around this healing and enriching feature. You can read more about the property on the previous owners’ website.
How would access to a Hawaiian labyrinth enrich your life’s journey?
We would like to welcome you into this discussion, in case it resonates with any of your future visions. Learn more about the Nu’ukia, the Vision, for this sacred space, and submit your ideas for engaging with this space.
Kahua - The Foundation
Doug and Christy have begun with a set of grounding principles to form a kahua, or foundation, for this work. These five principles—’Āina, ‘Ohana, Akahai, Lawelawe, and Makakū—will be used to find alignment with others who wish to collaborate and flourish in this space.
‘Āina - Land
The interconnectedness of life, of that which sustains, comes from the land. Aloha ‘āina, love of the land, translates to deep respect for this interconnectedness. The ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth comes with a gift of land, one of the most sacred symbols of identity to Hawaiians. With this gift comes great responsibility to be good stewards of its spirit and resources.
This includes employing eco-conscious methods to care for the many living plants that form and surround the labyrinth and the incorporation of lā’au kama’āina, native plants.
‘Ohana - Family
Growing beyond blood relatives to encompass intentional family, ‘ohana comes from the root word ‘ohā, the corm of the taro plant, a starchy staple for the Hawaiian people. Not only do corms store resources to sustain a plant in adverse conditions, but they propagate new shoots. Creating a family that sustains and nurtures each other is paramount.
Akahai - Empathy
Often translated as “kindness”, akahai is the first of five principles of aloha set forth by Pilahi Paki and spelled out in Hawaii’s Aloha Spirit law, adopted in 1986:
“Akahai, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;
Lōkahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
‘Olu’olu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
Ha’aha’a, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.”
The kindness offered to ourselves and others must come from a place of patience and intellectual humility. Pleasantness is not a surface-level agreement that sweeps issues under the rug to create the appearance of unity, however. The tenderness of akahai invites the deep listening that makes true empathy possible.
Lawelawe - Service
Caring for others, lawelawe, branches naturally from the ‘āina the labyrinth nestles within and the ‘ohana who nurture it. Labyrinths have been used to ground, center, and heal walkers across many cultures and traditions. Working with, living with a labyrinth means giving one’s efforts in service back to the community.
Makakū - Creative Imagination
Out of the grey and formless mists, a solid image wavers and stands. It takes vision, courage, and dedication to bring imagination to life. This community is dedicated to seeing and catalyzing the spark of makakū, in all its multiplicities.
Deborah and Christy
'Awapuhi Changes Hands
Visiting the Center
Walking a Labyrinth
To walk a labyrinth, simply place one foot in front of the other, and the path you follow will take care of the rest. For a more intentional experience, become the listener and not the thinker of your own thoughts with four Rs, adapted from Veriditas, that align to preparing, beginning, pausing, and exiting a labyrinth.
Just place one foot in front of the other…
Reflect – remember, relive, walk a problem, a history, a dream; play the record backward
Release – stress, grief, shadow, anxiety, anger, what holds you back; breathe into what’s stuck, frozen, and afraid
Receive – explore any thoughts or images that emerge, witness, meditate, observe
Return – resolve, reclaim, rejuvenate, reflect, reconcile, rejoin
Walk with us
‘Awapuhi craves regular care, weeding, feeding, and can be made open for local events and collaborations.