Our Shaman of the Month is James Kawainui, a
Hawaiian healer from a lineage of Kahuna — the
wisdom keepers, healers, and mystics of Old Hawaii — that traces
back more than 20 generations. James brings that ancestral
knowledge into a modern context, helping people navigate the
obstacles of contemporary life through Ancient Wisdom Mentoring.
From Corporate Executive to Hawaiian Healer
James Kawainui’s path to becoming a Hawaiian healer wasn’t linear.
In his late 30s, after years working as a corporate executive
overseeing three departments, people began showing up at his door
asking for help — he found he could sense where someone held pain
in their body simply by holding his hand above them. In 2000, after
what he describes as being “tapped on the back of the head” by a
clear inner voice telling him it was time to go home, he quit his
corporate job the next day and moved back to Hawaii.
Reconnecting With the Kūpuna
James lived in a beach shack in Hawaii for over four years,
learning to listen to his Kūpuna — his ancestors — who he
says had been trying to reach him for years. His path eventually led
him to New Zealand, where he trained under Māori elders and
deepened his ability to receive guidance. Today, when he works with
a client, he describes his Kūpuna showing him where a person holds
pain, what story they carry, and how to help release it.
What James Kawainui Offers
- Ancient Wisdom Mentoring — one-on-one sessions for individuals, business executives, and practitioners
- House Clearing sessions
- Meditation Without Frustration classes
- Group classes and workshops
Why We Chose This Hawaiian Healer
James Kawainui represents something Shaman Portal values deeply:
ancestral wisdom translated honestly for a modern audience, without
pretense. As he puts it himself, he doesn’t act or look like a
“traditional” Native Hawaiian healer — he simply shares what he’s
learned in a form people can understand and use in their own lives.
Who This Practitioner Is a Good Fit For
Business executives navigating burnout, healers and practitioners
looking to deepen their own practice, and individuals seeking a
grounded, no-nonsense entry point into Hawaiian healing traditions
will all find something useful in James’s approach.
More Selection of the Month Picks
Explore this month’s
Full Shaman Selection of the Month
How to Connect With James Kawainui
Visit his website to learn more about Ancient Wisdom Mentoring,
upcoming events, and his classes and workshops.
