Kumu Dane Kaʻohelani Silva was a revered kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau, Kumu lomilomi, chemist, researcher, faculty member, chiropractor, acupuncturist, qigong practitioner, and martial artist. More than a healer, he was a bridge between worlds between ancient Hawaiian knowledge and modern medical science, between spiritual practice and rigorous research, between tradition and innovation. Through his lifelong work, he illuminated a path where these disciplines could coexist, thrive, and serve the well-being of future generations.
 

Born in Hilo and raised in Keaukaha, Kumu Dane grew up deeply connected to the land, the people, and the wisdom passed down through his ancestors. He pursued higher education at the University of Hawai‘i, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Biomedical Science before becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic and a licensed acupuncturist. But his education extended far beyond the classroom, he sought knowledge from elders, practitioners, and healers, embracing the responsibility of preserving and evolving Native Hawaiian healing traditions.
 

In 1988, his uncle, Papa Henry Auwae, a legendary kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau, invited him to join Kupuna La‘au Lapa‘au o Hawai‘i, a council of traditional Hawaiian medicine practitioners dedicated to protecting and passing down their sacred knowledge. By 1996, Kumu Dane had taken on a leadership role within the organization, ensuring that these healing traditions would not be lost, but rather shared, understood, and respected.
 

A true innovator, Kumu Dane collaborated with the University of Hawai‘i Hilo Daniel K. Inouye School of Pharmacy, co-authoring a 2022 NIH-published study on the anti-inflammatory properties of the ‘Uhaloa plant, one of the many native Hawaiian remedies long revered for its healing properties. This research not only validated the efficacy of traditional medicine but also strengthened the bridge between Hawaiian healing practices and modern pharmacology.
 

Beyond academia and research, Kumu Dane was a passionate educator and mentor. He was a founding member of the Hawaiian Lomilomi Association and played a key role in developing the first nationally recognized training program for lomilomi massage. His unique approach, Lōkahi Lomilomi, integrated chiropractic techniques, Hawaiian massage, herbal medicine, and acupuncture, embodying the principle of lōkahi, harmony, unity, and balance. He taught not only the techniques of healing but also the values of humility, respect, and deep connection with the patient and the ‘āina (land).
 

Kumu Dane’s impact extended far beyond the treatment room. He was deeply involved in community healthcare, serving on the board of the Puna Community Medical Center Foundation. He helped shape a vision for a holistic health center in Puna, providing urgent care, women’s health, kupuna (elder) care, dental services, and Hawaiian healing practices. A hands-on leader, he personally cultivated the first medicinal plants for the Kīpuka Farmacy, believing that the land itself could be a source of healing for the community.
 

But Kumu Dane was more than his titles and accomplishments. He was a storyteller, a guardian of knowledge, a warrior in both healing and martial arts. An 8th-degree member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and a lifelong martial artist, he believed that discipline, movement, and healing were deeply connected. His presence was strong yet gentle, his wisdom profound yet always accessible.
 

On November 27, 2022, Kumu Dane passed away at his home in Puna, surrounded by the land and people he loved. Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his spirit continues in every student he taught, every life he touched, every plant he nurtured. His vision of integrating cultural wisdom with scientific research remains a guiding light for all who walk the path of healing.
 

"Creating a mala lāʻau and hālau for the community has been a lifelong dream of our teachers and fellow practitioners."
- Kumu Dane Kaʻohelani Silva
 

His legacy lives on in the gardens he planted, the students he mentored, and the communities he served with unwavering dedication.
 

E ola mau nā ʻike kūpuna, May the knowledge of our ancestors live on.


"This tribute to Kumu was written beautifully." I couldn't find the authorʻs name, complete credit goes to that person. 
- Mahalo nui loa!


Papa Ola Lōkahi hosted the 2024 Kaʻōnohi Awards 

The Puna Community Medical Center Foundation

Ke OLA Magazine: Healing Plants – ‘Uhaloa: Wonderful Weed is Useful for Many Ailments

Ke OLA Magazine: Fire and Ice - Kumu Dane Kaohelani Silva’s Life of Spirit and Service to Health