Gabrielle Kaea

Name Gabrielle Kaea

social media @limahaimassage

Age 37

Town/Moku honolulu

Island oʻahu

Leadership Category Mauli ola

Nominated by Bart-Jonah Gaison

Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am a mother, a wife and a massage therapist. I own Limaha‘i Massage Therapy. Limaha‘i is my mothers maiden name, meaning Skilled-full hands. When opening the business, I struggled on trying to find a name for my company. I waited for signs through prayer, dreams and advice from others. I then sat with my sister and she brought up to me my moms maiden name. What perfect name for a massage place. Side note: Whenever our family needs a Hawaiian name, specifically for our Keiki, we usually wait for my sisters' dreams to decide on that. I Lomi my son every night. I see the strength and growth in him due to the Lomi and come to see that Lomi is important for muscle development and recovery. I am half Hawaiian, half Japanese. I was incarcerated at one point and realize that anyone with the right guidance and influences can over come adversities.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?

Lomi is my life. I often feel stagnant when I am not actively working or taking a break from Lomi. Truthfully, i've tried many times changing careers to find myself back to Lomi. I've come to realize it is my responsibility to share my gift of Lomi & mo‘olelo to everyone.

Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.

I admire a leader with determination with grace and poise. I often try to be the self thinker, someone that will "figure it out" and "get it done".

Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?

My father has always inspired me to be the therapist I am today. I was in a lot of sports growing up, so with that came a lot of injury. He has always told me I have the gift of Lomi. It is because of his injuries and pain, I really learned to work the areas that people have problems on.

What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?

Imua

What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?

Ihope