Dr. Downey graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in 1979 and after completing her residency, began her practice on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. She has been assisting patients in life style changes and deep healing throughout her career as a physician. In addition to leading Healing Hawaiian retreats, Dr. Downey has a private family practice were she sees patients of all ages. She is also a midwife, an organic gardener, and an environmental activist, having worked as the ship’s doctor for Greenpeace on the Rainbow Warrior. She is a living example of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

"I believe that the body is a magical and mysterious natural phenomenon that can heal itself if given a balanced and healthy environment. That environment includes foods and beverages made from fresh organic ingredients, healthy detoxification organs, and a healthy and profound spiritual practice along with enjoyable movement and an evolving mental attitude."

Sherry's interest in natural health and healing was sparked by the healing energy and foods of Kauai when she first moved there in 1973. She has been a massage therapist since 1996 (in Oregon) and assists her clients in releasing pain and tension, breathing more fully and relaxing deeply, using a blend of techniques - including Swedish, Trigger Point, Hot Stones, Myofascial Stretching, Aromatherapy Oils and Reiki. She also offers Thai Massage, which is done comfortably clothed on a mat. It’s like having someone gently put you into yoga postures and assist your stretching. Sherry is a Yoga and Qi Gong practitioner and teacher, and an organic gardener. She brings love and compassion, the energy of healing, to all she does.

"All is One. We don’t need to fight dis-ease, but rather bring balance to our bodies, minds & spirits, with loving kindness, using massage, movement, breath, vibrant whole foods, awareness, and connection to our Source and each other."

Tatiana Blanco offers traditional Hawaiian 'lomi lomi' (touch, massage) in the temple-style. The sessions, using warm oil, encourage peace of mind, deep relief in the body's tissues, transformation where necessary and alignment with your natural state of happiness.

This work was originally performed by kahunas (experts/priests) in a heiau (holy place) for those embarking on or returning from a voyage as well as to mark life passages such as birth, puberty, marriage and death.

Tatiana Blanco moved to Kauai from Britain in 1997. She studied the principles of temple-style 'lomi lomi' with a kahuna on Kauai and has been performing this work for twelve years. She also holds a Diploma of Ayurvedic Sciences from The Ayurvedic Institute of America and offers a full Ayurvedic menu of services, including Pancha Karma. She lives on the island with her husband and son.

Caban is a honeybee mystic, herbalist, intentional gardener, teacher, musician and vibrational medicine therapist as well as a Physcologist. She has been listening and connecting to the heart of her clients for over 20 years.

Tim O'Connor has been working with the earth since he was a boy on a farm in Medford Oregon. His experience ranges from planting the seeds to marketing natural foods. His past includes being a founding executive of the leading provider of web and retail kiosk based information on complementary and alternative medicine, developing merchandising and physical design plan for a major natural food chain in Portland, Oregon, as well as being the primary purchasing manager for 7500 item product mix of natural foods. He believes that vital foods are necessary for a vital and healthy society. He shares his vast knowledge of growing fruits, vegetables and herbs with farm apprentices. He grows much of the food for Healing Hawaiian Retreats.

From her early island life days when she grew herbs for restaurants, Sandra took her inspiration from the earth. Now the ferns of asparagus shade the rambling purple and green beans, while herbs, peppers, eggplants and arugula mingle under the papaya trees. The biggest Meyer lemons, ancient fig and fragrant detura flowers border the garden paths that lead to the tropical fruit orchard. Sandra has only to step from her commercial kitchens to select ingredients for her many gourmet food products or catered menus for returning spiritual, massage, hula or yoga workshops that select her food exclusively for their annual island retreats. Her more recent interest in French cuisine and patisserie from her extended trips to the markets of Paris and organic farms of southern France have only added to the seemingly endless repertoire of world recipes Sandra has to offer.