Sean Chun

Name Sean Chun

Age 56

Town/Moku Wailua

Island Kauaʻi

Social Media Handle @kamakeachun

Nominated by Babette Lilinoe Galang

Leadership Category Mauli Ola - Health, Personal & Family Development

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

I am traditional healer on the island of Kaua`i. I am also employed by Ho`ola Lahui Hawai`i, a Native Hawaiian Health Care Agency as the traditional healer. I have a degree in Hawaiian studies, but am traditionally trained in several healing arts as well as lua. I am also adept at farming, fishing, and carving. But I enjoy cooking for others the most. I work within the community to teach traditional healing arts. We have a men's class, a women's class, several community groups, and classes open to the community. We teach them various arts such as pule, ho`oponopono, la`au lapa`au, lomilomi, and other arts. We work closely with all the Native Hawaiian serving agencies, community college, and are in Hawaiian Charter Schools, and the DOE. I work with various businesses, state, and county agencies on Hawaiian culture, protocols, naming, and blessing various projects. We also offer ho`oponopono and cultural guidance for these businesses and agencies as needed. I also enjoy working and collaborating with other Hawaiian and community oriented non-profits. I sit on several boards: Chair, Traditional Healing Kupuna Board, Chair, Pihana Ka Ikena, Kaua`i Wellness Partnership, `Aha Kuka Ho`oponopono Council, Hawaiian Agencies and Organizations, and a few others relevant to the culture. I also do blessings, ho`oponopono, la`au lapa`au, and lomilomi. We have a farm that provides for the community as well as business that help fund projects as needed. We are very proud of our work with iwi kupuna and taking care of our wahi pana and heiaus. Most important is my wife and three children that I am grateful for.

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

My teachers told me that my task is to bring people out of the dark and into the light. I use my experiences and what I have learned to assist those that need it, help guide others, and direct those that need redirection. It is a spiritual practice based on Hawaiian values. It is important to me because so many of our people have lost their way from a path with no direction. They harbor anger and fear from things they do not understand. They speak about enemies that they cannot even identify. These things manifest in our lives through illness or destructive behavior. Alcohol abuse drug abuse, suicide, numerous illnesses, lack of education, and incarceration are all just part of the many issues our people face. Add to that the shortage of housing, land access, food and job security, this is the reality for many people. Colonization has enslaved many of our people. But how can they be set free if they don't realize they are slaves? I see it, as I was taught that their lives are imbalanced. I try to help the people and community bring balance into their lives by balancing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the people, family, community, and the land. It is important to help our people find their identity, to help them gain their self esteem. With this, they can find their purpose and feel liberated. To come out of the dark, and to fill their lives with the positive with the support of their community, through culturally relevant means and practices. Many of the things that we teach are not about the arts, but rather how to heal yourself. It teaches them values and practices that have been latent in their `ohana for generations. It is important to me to share what our kupuna had to share, and pass this knowledge down to others, so that we may perpetuate and uplift each other. I have seen too many pass away with anger waiting for land, too many have taken their lives senselessly, too many sick and dying. If I can make the difference in one person's life, I don't change that person, I have changed future generations.

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

My father and teachers were very humble. They often listened more than they talked, and when they did speak, they spoke with profound wisdom. They lead by example, never stood out, never in front, never in the back, but always by your side. They offered rational and practical solutions rather than focus on problems. They chose to have empathy and kindness for others rather than hold anger in their hearts. I always admired how they chose to have aloha in their hearts and lead and lived pono. Always choosing the right path, and making good decisions. Many times the decisions they made did not benefit them, but rather was based on the benefit for all. That would be selflessness. I admired their quiet strength, as it is so easy to be corrupted by others or material things. Above all, they were happy and content with life, fulfilled. Yet, they all still managed to help many, including myself find their way. They were truly loved and admired during their lifetime, and I always respected and admired their ways.

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

My teachers gave me this advice. From Kumu Levon Ohai, "Give all, receive more." From Kahu Ken Kamakea, "Have aloha in your hands and heart, so those you touch will be healed." And from Papa Tom Takahashi, "Always help others have hope, faith, and belief in Ke Akua. I take these teaching to heart and live my life as they did, to be dedicated to my `ohana, my community, and to Ke Akua. They taught me not to worry about the small things, but to always help those in need at times they need it most. And my loving wife and children for having the patience and profound understanding of the importance and the life that has chosen us. It is with humble gratitude that I give them for inspiring me daily.

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

Healing

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

Health