Papa Henry Auwae
They called him X-Ray Hands, because he could tell what was ailing a person just by touch. Leaders in the medical industry would come to Papa and attend his classes: eminent foreign doctors, specialists, the Surgeon General of the United States. Nationally recognized doctors, proud men and women, would lower their heads before him and willingly come back for more.
Papa used to warn against pronouncing death sentences to patients, giving a person however many months to live. “It is not for man to play god,” he’d say. “Words have power.” If a doctor reaches the limit of his healing ability, the patient may yet be healed by other means. And, there must be humility.
The sacrifice, the mana, and the straightforward compassion that Papa exhibited was astounding. To witness how he treated his patients, and to see the results he got healing people that all other doctors had given up on. Cancer, AIDS, diabetes; you name it, Papa healed it. He was one of the last great masters connected to the ancient times. Of the surviving Kahuna Laau Lapaau, he was their Pookela— right up until he passed in 2000.
I am forever thankful to have witnessed it.
- Kahu Roddy Akau
The following biography on Papa Auwae was distributed at the 1999 Lapakahi Healers Conference, at Lapakahi, Hawaii.
Henry Allen Auwae, affectionately called “Papa” Auwae was born in Kokoiki, Kohala, Hawaii to Abigail Pai Allen of Waimea and Jonah Kamalani of Kokoiki on February 1, 1906. Along with his wife, Papa raised twenty children, seven sons, nine daughters and four grandchildren. He has more than 300 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren from every ethnic group, including six different Native American tribes.
Papa was taught the traditional Hawaiian healing practice of Laau Lapaau by his great great grandparents at the age of seven. His great great grandmother lived to the age of 115 and his great great grandfather to the age of 96. For the past 74 years, Papa Auwae has helped heal people worldwide with Laau Lapaau and has made numerous trips to European countries, Asia, Canada, and Polynesia.
Papa presently resides on Hawaii Island. He continues to be active with the assistance of his apprentice students who are committed to support and perpetuate this traditional art. Some of his activities include community presentations, workshops and conferences and training selected students in Laau Lapaau. He has graduated four apprenticeship classes with over 100 students on the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Molokai. Some of his past occupations include heavy equipment superintendent for Kulani Honor Camp and instructor for the US Army and with the US Third Engineer Corp.
Papa treats many people seeking his healing as an alternative to Western scientific medicine. He credits the success of work with Laau Lapaau and in the preservation and healing of life to Ke Akua, the creator of all things who has allowed this knowledge to pass to him from his great grandparents. Also included in his healing work with patients are spiritual counseling and hooponopono. Papa does not charge for his services or for the laau he gives his patients. He believes all herbs were placed on this earth for all mankind and that healing is 80% spiritual and 20% laau.
Papa Henry Auwae has been recognized, honored and given many awards by the State of Hawaii, community organizations, agencies and other groups for his work in healing and Laau Lapaau, including the National Cancer Institute.
Papa Auwae passed away on December 31, 2000.