
ABOUT US
OUR MISSION

Olanani AcuOasis was founded by two Chinese Medicine practitioners as a sanctuary for personal and collective healing in Kailua, Hawaii. Our mission is to empower our communities with a lifestyle of wellness through the wisdom of traditional medicine. We provide a complete range of wellness services based on Chinese Medicine, and as well as clean, herbal, handcrafted products for internal health and natural beauty.
Through partnership and supportive guidance, we are here to empower you on your unique wellness journey, uplifting your authentic, natural beauty and holistic well-being.
“OLANANI” means beautiful life.
OUR STAFF
LEAD Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Tai Hawkins, M.S.A.O.M
Co-founder
Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, & Massage Therapist
“Nature and movement have always been healing forces in my life. As a young hula dancer, we would go to the forest to gather leaves and flowers to make our own lei for performances, only after we gave the proper offerings and gratitude to the aina and the plants. We learned dances and chants that honored people, places and plants, rooted in the oral histories of Hawaii. We learned protocol; how to clear negative energy before entering a shared space, how to honor predecessors and teachers, how to cleanse the body and spirit in the ocean, and how to close the mouth and open the ears…..All of these teachings, experiences and practices shaped my relationship and mindset toward learning, nature, community and their innate connectivity to my purpose and my wellness.” - Tai Tai Hawkins studied acupuncture in Honolulu, Hawai'i at the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, where she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine. During her final year of school, Tai completed two externships in China at the Guangzhou TCM hospital and Tianjin TCM hospital and also trained with Facial Rejuvenation pioneer Virginia Doran. Tai has been practicing acupuncture in the state of Hawaii for seven years has also been a licensed massage therapist for over twenty years. She is certified as a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine by the National Council on Chinese Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Her areas of interest include facial acupuncture, musculoskeletal issues, women's health, stress management, and herbal medicine. Tai graduated with a BA in Cultural and Social Anthropology and a minor in Dance from Stanford University. In addition to healing through Chinese Medicine, Tai is an ardent believer in the healing power of dance. She now performs, teaches, and hosts dance workshops throughout the islands. Born and raised in Kailua, Tai has been shaped by the multitude of lessons the ocean has to offer to us. One of her favorite sayings about health and beauty comes from a paddling coach who always used to yell from the beach, “feeling good, looking good”; the internal environment is always reflected to the outside world, and in that way, wellness is beauty and vitality.

Kyoko Kato, M.S.A.O.M.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
“I have always been curious about what we share in common across culture, gender and age. Throughout my time in the U.S. as a Japanese immigrant, I’ve become passionate about elements as our universal language and as the essential components of life. I fell in love with Classical Chinese Medicine because it is such a powerful tool to treat our holistic health with a deep understanding of the elements and their alchemy. The intention of my practice is to liberate life by carefully listening to and translating the voices of the elements within us and gently tending and nourishing them for well being.” - Kyoko Kyoko Kato studied acupuncture at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon where she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine. During her 5 years of study, she found that Chinese and Japanese cultures are deeply interwoven, and her practice has become one of the ways she strengthens the connection to her ancestral roots. Kyoko is naturally drawn to Japanese style acupuncture and other gentle healing techniques including acupuncture with stones and working with sound. She has completed specialty training in Teate-hari with Tsuyoshi Shimamura, non-insertion needle technique with Anryu Iwashina, and Japanese style moxa and gentle hands-on techniques with Bob Quinn. Over the past seven years, Kyoko has also been in ongoing shamanic healing and ritual practice training under the guidance of Liv Mokai Wheeler. Kyoko brings a unique perspective to her healing work with a BA in Architecture, and MA in Engineering in Japan. She enjoys applying her engineering mind to acupuncture and spirituality, exploring the alchemy of elements and how they weave with nature’s energies.

Alicia Yang, M.S.A.O.M, M.Ed.
Co-founder
Alicia Yang received her masters in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture in Honolulu, Hawai’i from the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. As a childhood cancer survivor, Chinese medicine was an integral part of how her family confronted illnesses. Her interests include facial and cosmetic acupuncture, autoimmune diseases, women’s health, sports orthopedics acupuncture, Chinese nutritional therapy and herbal medicine. She trained with master Dr. Shi Zhong Xiao, Joe Bright, founder of Kama'aina Acupuncture in Honolulu, and Whitfield Reaves, founding leader of western sports orthopedics acupuncture, as well as Virginia Doran, pioneer of facial rejuvenation acupuncture. To balance and cultivate her own health, Alicia practices Medical Qigong from the teachings of mentor and master Leon Letoto. Alicia graduated with a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her background comes through a passion for working with communities for healing and social justice.

Raya Llopis, C.Y.T., P.T.
Raya Llopis is a licensed practitioner, experienced bodyworker, dedicated movement instructor, and former professor at Naropa University. She holds a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, and her practice integrates movement, mindfulness, and traditional healing systems to support whole-person wellness. With a lifelong background in personal training, yoga, acro, and dance, Raya is passionate about working with athletes and movers of all kinds. She specializes in injury prevention and recovery, and loves helping people stay in strong, balanced, and resilient bodies. Her experience working with physical injuries is deeply informed by her own athletic journey and her belief that movement is medicine. Drawing on the classical wisdom of Chinese Medicine—including the Five Elements—Raya’s work emphasizes the essential connection between body, mind, and spirit. Her focus is on the psychosomatic and spiritual roots of imbalance, helping individuals not only heal but deepen their self-awareness and connection to life's natural rhythms. With a trauma-informed and heart-centered approach, Raya blends acupuncture, herbal therapy, bodywork, and movement to guide her clients toward harmony and vitality. Her teaching experience in psychosomatic theory at Naropa University shapes her belief that true healing must include the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health. Raya’s work is rooted in ancestral wisdom and driven by a deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence. Her mission is to help others reconnect with the Earth, themselves, and the subtle forces that create lasting wellness—through conscious living, seasonal attunement, and embodied practice.
CLINIC & HERBAL ASSISTANTS

Sydney Gormont
Clinical Assistant and Social Media Manager
Doctorate student at Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
My journey into Holistic Healthcare began with a deep curiosity about the connection between nature and the human body. I was drawn to the idea that we are a reflection of the seasons and elements, intricately connected to the world around us. Chinese Medicine teaches us that the balance of yin and yang and the five elemental phases-wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, are at the core of our health. As an aspiring practitioner, I am inspired by the body’s ability to heal when it’s in harmony with these natural forces. My intention is to help others discover balance within, by listening to the wisdom of their bodies and the elements. Guiding with compassion, mindfulness, and a deep respect for the ancient traditions of this medicine.” — Sydney