
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.
CLINIC ASSISTANTS

Raya Llopis, C.Y.T., P.T.
Clinic Assistant and Bodyworker
Master's Student at Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
“At a young age, I was drawn to the healing arts, culture, and connecting with people. With all that is shifting in the world, now is the time to learn how to trust that inner intuition that brought you here...and start gaining tools to create mental, physical, and spiritual healing. As a coach and facilitator on the healing path, I invite people to journey into their roots, embrace their authentic self, and live to their bravest.” - Raya At a young age, Raya was drawn to the healing arts. At 18, Raya was accepted into a Global Education and Performance program, where she had the opportunity to travel to 25 countries learning cultural dance and movement. Raya continued her travels around the globe to learn different healing modalities and earn certifications in personal training, yoga, meditation, and traditional thai massage. Upon returning to the states, she opened a yoga and dance studio in Sacramento, California. Raya's passion for alternative medicine comes from her own experience of healing. Having suffered a traumatic back injury, she was advised to undergo back surgery or risk the chance of paralysis. Instead of surgery, she sought out holistic approaches. After three months of chiropractic and acupuncture visits, Raya was pain free - no surgery needed! This sparked an even brighter flame in her heart to learn more about holistic approaches to healing and share this knowledge with her community. She attended Naropa University for Psychology of Health and Healing, and is currently a masters student of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. While working at Olanani, she continues to serve the community through her own business as a coach and facilitator through which she supports both individuals and communities on the healing path. Raya is excited to be apart of the team and share the power of traditional medicine with the community.

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