An Education Designed for Excellence

At Kawainui Healing Center & Academy, we believe exceptional massage therapists are developed through intentional education, meaningful mentorship, and real-world experience.

While fulfilling Hawaiʻi’s licensing requirements, the Kawainui curriculum is intentionally designed to provide educational experiences that extend beyond the minimum requirements through Academy enrichment, developing clinical reasoning, technical excellence, professionalism, specialized knowledge, and career readiness.

Our mission is not simply to prepare students for licensure.

It is to develop massage therapists who help set the standard for the profession.

We strive to graduate professionals who are respected by employers, trusted by clients, and committed to lifelong learning, compassionate care, and clinical excellence.

Foundations of Clinical Excellence

Every successful massage therapist begins with a strong foundation. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the human body and the science that supports safe, effective, and ethical massage therapy.

Areas of study include:

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Structural Kinesiology

• Pathology

• Direction, Position & Movements

• Body Systems

Students learn to apply scientific knowledge with confidence while developing the clinical reasoning needed to provide thoughtful, client-centered care.

Massage Therapy Skills

Confidence is developed through guided instruction, hands-on learning, and continual refinement of technique.

Students build proficiency in:

• Swedish Massage

• Body Mechanics

• Palpation

• Draping & Gliding

• Client Assessment

• Medical Terminology

• Indications & Contraindications

As students progress, they integrate these essential skills into individualized treatment while developing confidence, professionalism, and sound clinical judgment.

Specialized Clinical Education

Massage therapy continues to evolve as an important part of healthcare and wellness. Students are introduced to a variety of therapeutic approaches that broaden their understanding of clinical practice.

Areas of study include:

• Myofascial Release

• Deep Tissue Massage

• Trigger Point Therapy

• Prenatal Massage

• Sports Massage

• Acupressure & Reflexology

• Spa Applications

• Hot Stones & Aromatherapy

Setting a New Standard

Kawainui Healing Center & Academy is proud to be the first massage therapy program in Hawaiʻi to incorporate both Oncology Massage Principles and Lymphatic Massage Principles into its core curriculum.

Students gain an understanding of treatment modifications, contraindications, client safety, and clinical considerations that prepare them for future advanced study and the evolving role of massage therapy within healthcare.

Clinical Readiness

Knowledge becomes confidence through application. Throughout the program, students strengthen their skills through guided learning, mentorship, and real-world experience.

Students participate in:

• Guided Skills Development

• Case Studies

• Clinical Documentation

• Practical Evaluations

• Supervised Apprenticeship

• Student Clinic Experience

• Instructor Mentorship

Graduates enter the profession prepared to provide safe, compassionate, and professional care with confidence.

Professional Development

A rewarding career requires more than technical skill. Students are introduced to the business and professional responsibilities of massage therapy while preparing for long-term success in the profession.

Areas of study include:

• Practice management

• Field Studies

• Professional communication

• Business Foundations & Values

• Business Laws & Regulations

• Ethics, Consent & Professional Boundaries

• Sanitation & Infection Control

• Record Keeping / SOAP Notes

Graduates leave prepared not only to enter the profession, but to build rewarding and sustainable careers.

Hawaiian Healing Perspectives

As a school rooted in Hawaiʻi, we believe understanding the cultural foundations of healing enriches both education and professional practice.

Students are introduced to:

• The history and philosophy of traditional Lomilomi

• Hawaiian terminology

• Moʻolelo (traditional stories)

• Traditional protocols

• Foundational cultural concepts

This experience cultivates humility, cultural awareness, and respect while honoring Hawaiʻi’s rich healing traditions.

Disclaimer: This course does not provide a certification or licensing of Lomilomi. Lomilomi is not merely a technique or modality of massage. Traditional Lomilomi is a calling, a spiritual practice, and a lifelong commitment that is built over time, under the teaching of a Kumu. There are many Pā or school of Lomilomi. Some of which will be introduced to those who completed this coursework. Each Pā is unique in the lineage they come from, and the style of Lomi and traditions.

The Kawainui Difference

Choosing a massage therapy program is about more than meeting educational requirements. It’s about choosing the environment that will shape the professional you become.

At Kawainui Healing Center & Academy, education extends beyond the classroom. Students learn within an active wellness clinic, receive individualized mentorship, gain meaningful clinical experience, and are encouraged to pursue lifelong growth as massage therapy professionals.

Every aspect of our curriculum is intentionally designed to cultivate knowledge, technical skill, professionalism, compassion, and integrity—qualities that distinguish exceptional massage therapists throughout their careers.