Graeme Kapono Kahulani Urlich

I was born and raised in rural New Zealand where I experienced Maori stories and traditions from an early age. This early influence developed into an interest in esoteric knowledge, which led me to study philosophical writings and divination systems such as Tarot and I-Ching until my interest centred on healing systems.

It is hard to say why my interest fell on these subjects but it has always felt like a kind of calling. While many of the ideas I was investigating conflicted with my Christian upbringing, it felt right at the time. Early in my studies I focussed on what was available at the time - traditions from my Celtic and Eastern European ancestry.

While living in Australia in the early 1980's, I trained in intuitive massage. From intuitive massage I trained in other body systems such as Reflexology, Metamorphosic Technique and shiatsu. In the mid eighties, I made my first contact with the Hawaiian healing arts through native Hawaiian master Abraham Kawaii. From him I learned the temple style Lomi Lomi.

Having worked in the computer industry since 1976, I found Abraham’s largely non-verbal training style particularly challenging to my logical mind. Even today I am still deciphering the meaning of things he taught me more than 35 years ago.

Over the years I had looked into many different spiritual and healing paths. For all that I learned from them, I still had a nagging feeling that I was missing something.

My search for knowledge and understanding finally brought me into contact with Dr Serge Kahili King and I began training with Aloha International. I found Serge’s logical and clear explanations of the ancient Huna principles simple and refreshing. He presents these principles through the adventurer perspective, rather than the more common warrior perspective, which I find most appealing. The principles, their simplicity, and the adventurer's perspective helped me to better understand the concepts and techniques I had learned from the other traditions I had studied. I had found my missing link.

Over the next few years I did a number or trainings in Hawaii including teacher training and counselling and began teaching Lomi Lomi and Huna around the world.  In July 1994 I was ordained as an Alakai of Huna International and I have been working with Huna ever since. I am also currently the Media Director of Aloha International.

The Kahili family tradition is an ancient and unbroken lineage and I endeavour to teach in a way that is true to that tradition. When I am teaching lomi lomi, I endeac=vour to remember that it comes from a different lineage and teach it the way I was taught.

My Hawaiian Names.

Kapono means "The Harmonious One" and was given to me when I was ordained as an Alakai of Huna International.  I was given the Maori name Kahurangi in another context and it translates into Hawaiian as Kahulani.  The meanings are slightly different in each language with Kahurangi meaning "Gift From Heaven" and Kahulani meaning "Heavenly Caretaker".

In old Hawaii it was traditional for a name to be given during training when a milestone had been reached and signified a graduation.