Connie Rios ~ me ke aloha!

Connie Rios was diagnosed a dozen years ago with an "incurable" illness and given the prognosis of a medicated half-life and early death. For two years the course of her illness (in the language of the medical model) "showed classic deterioration patterns declining rapidly and predictably toward incapacitation."

Four months after that 1996 report, she was accepted at Hui Ho'ola O Na Nahulu O Hawai'i Nei (HHONNOHN), a state, federal and privately funded "experimental" treatment and training program directed by a staff of kupuna to treat contemporary social ills and physical illness with traditional Hawaiian healing methods. Polynesian wisdom adheres to the premise that any imbalance—physical, social or spiritual—is a result of disconnection from 'spirit' (life force energy).

"An' no worries," the kupuna said, "we teach you to reconnect." And they did—through the time-honored, sacred healing traditions of their culture.

After completing her course work, she studied for two years with Halau O Na Leo O Puna, pursued advanced private study with Hawaiian kupuna, and served as teaching assistant, ho'oponopono peer counselor and reiki treatment provider at HHONNOH. Connie served as Secretary/Treasurer of Aloha Lokahi Association (ALA), a Hawaiian cultural preservation and educational non-profit organization, and taught "ho'opono pono" for the educational branch of ALA in a traditional halau (school) setting from 1997-1999. She now serves as first President of the non-profit organization Hui O Ka Hana Pono, dedicated to education in multi-cultural awareness, and neo-shamanic and somatic studies. Connie has lectured at the Psychiatric and Women's Studies Departments at Hawai'i Community College, facilitated classes, workshops and retreats on several islands in Hawai'i, and is a guest presenter for leading somatic and neo-shamanic teachers at their Hawai'i retreats.

She lives on Maui and Big Island, shares rituals of intention, & facilitates an online forum in ka hana pono, a pragmatic practice of creating personal and interpersonal balance to achieve desired result. Her book and card set, Ka Hana Pono, a 'navigational tool box for sailing the high seas of life', adapts ancient healing traditions for contemporary use. It was published in 2000, and Ka Hana (a workbook on how to use those tools) in 2002.

  Book & Cards

Connie currently studies digital media/film making at University of Hawai'i—to fulfill a dream of creating educational and inspirational CDs, DVDs, and online streamed programming. Some clips of recent school projects include:

  Raina Ferris & Whalesong (a Maori chanter offers a kai-karunga to the elements, recorded at sea off the coast of Maui, & the whales—recorded through a hydro-phone—chant back.)

  Wa-Hine-Ahu-One (intro to DVD of Raina Ferris' lecture on the empowerment of the female apect in us all, drawn from Maori Goddess and female ancestor stories. DVD will soon be available to download. Slow speed connections, right click & 'save target as'...)

  Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey (from her lecture at the 2005 Hawaiian cultural festival, the Celebration of the Arts—clip is 14 minutes long, so best viewed on hi-speed connection, or r-click & 'save target as'....)

  Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey (from her lecture We Are the Navigators at the 2006 Celebration of the Arts. Slow speed connections, right click & 'save target as'...)

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