Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats Inc - Hawi, Hawaii

Jason R.

Kokolulu Farms and Cancer retreat was just what my wife and I needed after 4+ years of dealing with a devastating stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis in our 30s. We have been fortunate enough to find a better place with my prognosis after a second opinion changed everything for the better, but beyond the physical damage cancer can cause, it almost always comes with mental and emotional damage as well, which can be just as bad if not worse.

We've learned quite a bit along our path to healing and getting here to visit Kokolulu, and both Karin and Lew were able to show us even more tools to help us achieve more peace, less anxiety, and to think about how food can help us in our sustained healing journey. Qigong has been a wonderful practice that we plan on continuing and growing with. The areas of the island we went to were amazing and both know so much about the history of the island and the importance of the culture.

We cannot say enough good things about Kokolulu and the experiences and friendships we have made with both Karin and Lew as our guides. They genuinely care and understand what people are going through and have the experience which is needed to help others further their own healing journey's, whatever that may be. Amazing human beings 🙂

We did a 10 day option because we have young kids, but we look forward to going back someday to visit again and again to share our personal growth and further our understanding of what our personal healing journey's can do to help enrich ourselves and others going through a disease like cancer. We are forever grateful for this experience and absolutely fell in love with the place.

Mahalo to you both for helping us understand the deeper meaning and spirit of Aloha and pointing us towards finding our own Kuleana in life.

John W.

Kokolulu Farms and Qi Gong retreat center is a place of rejuvenation and healing for the body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

Set in the tropical paradise of the big island of Hawaii, the lush and landscaped grounds are a refuge from the stresses of the daily world. It is not a manicured, artificial, five star hotel environment, but a working organic farm with an eclectic Taoist inspired temple and several buildings for guests, residents and farm interns.

I stayed at the main house in a beautiful room with a very comfortable king size bed, with a view of the ocean.
The directors, Lew and Karin are down to earth, caring professionals with a great deal of knowledge and experience with Qi Gong, counseling, health, and nutrition. They have studied and practiced for over 30 years, journeyed many times to China and have worked closely with Qi Gong masters. The list of people who have had successful stays at Kokolulu is substantial. Many of the people I met in the local quaint town of Hawi know and respect Lew and Karin, many of them have referred family and friends to the program.

The individualized attention is one of the unique aspects of the program. I was literally the only guest there. Karin sculpted my nutrition plan specifically to address my personal nutritional needs. She was also flexible to input from me regarding my dietary requests. The two week plan included two nutrition seminars including one 'hands on' session on making your own naturally fermented sauerkraut. I learned how to harvest and open coconuts right from the property. Tasty, fresh organic fruits and veg hand picked from the farm were included in the 3 meals per day. We also sampled food from local farmers markets and fresh caught fish. In addition, we ate out at a local natural food restaurant and at an upscale beach club.

All the food, transportation, Qi Gong, nutritional education were included in the pay one price plan.

Lew's Qi gong sessions were personal and individual, often 2x per day. The form is easy to learn and can be done by anyone, aspects of it can be done while sitting or lying down. We also met in a small group including the farm interns, and he brought in people practicing around the world through zoom sessions. I have been included in these sessions at no charge since leaving the facility and was invited to participate at no charge prior to attending. Lew also left room for me to practice the Tai Chi and Qi Gong styles that I already knew.

For those people who are open to it, there is a spiritual aspect to the program as well. We visited native Hawaiian healing sites, explored the Taoist roots of Qi Gong, visited a local Buddhist temple, and met with a Hawaiian Kahuna. They even have a working model of the Chartres labyrinth on the front lawn.

We took field trips to the volcano on the Hilo side, to the beach and other environments where we did Qi Gong in settings of the different elements(fire, water, wood, earth, air).

I can say is that I genuinely had fun and have learned a great deal in a short time. I can verify that my Qi is open and abundant and flowing in a manner I have not felt in years. I feel my heart and spirit have been nourished, and I am deeply and profoundly relaxed, my meditations have deepened, I feel happy and I look forward to using my rejuvenated and abundant Qi to better help my patients.

At Kokolulu, after a while , you really feel like you are not only a guest, but are becoming part of the family.
Aloha

kym D.

After being diagnosed with cancer for the third time I decided to go to Kokolulu Cancer Retreat
Karin and Lew are dedicated to helping people heal through proper nutrition and teaching people Qi Gong
I practice just about every day and it has helped me so much
Not just physically but also mentally and spiritually
I will continue practicing for the rest of my life
Kokolulu will always have a special place in my
Heart.
Thank you, Karin and lew for helping me stay here on this most beautiful planet
I’d just like to add a bit more. It’s been a little over 6 years and 4 months and 8 days (but who’s counting)
Since I’ve been a Cancer Thriver! I’ve stayed connected to Kokolulu the whole time. I will always hold an extremely special place in my heart for both Karin And Lew and Kokolulu. I honestly know that without the guidance I received, my life would not be near as wonderful as it is today. It put me on a totally new trajectory, life’s good
If anyone if you out there wants to turn your life around. Check Kokolulu out. It won’t disappoint!!

Courtney K.

Kokolulu is a transformative and magical place. Being there- whether visiting for the day, staying as a guest, or working as an intern- you can feel that it is a place of healing and growing. I learned so much during my farm internship on Kokolulu... everything from chopping down banana trees to weeding the cane grass to refilling propane tanks... and many more things that I would have never learned had I not taken a leap of faith and flew out to Hawaii. And Lew and Karin are incredible people... most of what I learned was thanks to them. I am so blessed to have been able to have such an incredible experience at such a young age and Kokolulu is a place I will never forget throughout my entire life. Love you Lew and Karin! Hun Yuan Ling Tong. Mahalo and Aloha. 🙂

Amy L.

I’m a month out from coming back and so grateful for the healing 10 day retreat at Kokolulu Farm and cancer retreat center. It really is a gem of a place! But what makes it so special is not only the view from the lanai at mealtime and the beauty of Hawaii, though that is amazing. It’s so much more. Like the personalized care that you receive while you are in the loving space of Karin and Lew and their home & farm. The learning and daily practice of an ancient yet simple healing art form; Qigong. The homegrown and lovingly prepared meals, with particular attention to my special dietary needs. The availability of a labyrinth beckoning you to come visit. The numerous HBOT sessions. The trips to the water each so special, that I can’t pick a favorite. However the visit to the park of the birthplace of Ho’oponoponno was particularly powerful. Karin even found a local Doctor who was able to fit me in for some specific healing therapies I was seeking. There was even time to have some fun and get a fish pedi! Most importantly was the space that is held for one to go deeply inward, time to exhale and find your healing self. Your mind and body are powerful. These people and this place…power you up. I’ll never forget ‘up yours’! Thank you for raising my vibration Lew, Karin , Hoku, Robert & Janet!

I hope to see you again someday soon!

Charlotte S.

My time at Kokolulu was definitely worth it! Not only was the scenery, history and environment impactful and beautiful but so were the people. Lew and Karin really offered such a warm, comforting and supportive space for growth and learning. Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to experience so many new things I never thought I would. It really helped remind me how to live to the fullest. I would definitely do it again : )

Tatianna M.

Kokolulu Farm & Cancer Retreat is a space of serenity and bliss. The 7 acre property is beautifully maintained and is only a short walk to the central part of town. I had the pleasure of staying at Kokolulu for 3 months working side by side with Lew & Karin. As someone born and raised in the hospitality industry, I was happy to see that they also took mind over how my stay was. They gave me a comfortable space to live in and if I needed anything, I knew all I had to do was ask. If you're thinking about interning at Kokolulu I would highly recommend it. Not only do you learn about farming and how delicious food is when it's farm to table, but you're in a space that gives you the time and freedom to really connect with the community and yourself. I learned a great deal about myself here and I had a wonderful balance of social life, work life, and personal time. If you're considering coming here for healing... there is no other place I would rather be. Thank you Lew & Karin for opening your home to me, this was an experience of a lifetime.

Kay P.

Andrew and I were fortunate to spend 10 days at Kokolulu Farm & Cancer Retreats in mid-May 2023. After two years of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and more chemotherapy for stage 4 leiomyosarcoma, Andrew decided in late March to have no more chemo. Wanting to start our healing journey as soon as possible, Lew kindly invited us to start learning qigong with him via Zoom before we arrived in May. Once at Kokolulu, we were enveloped in the loving care of Lew and Karin, who adapted the day to allow Andrew to rest as he needed, eat Karin’s delicious healing food, practice and learn more qigong, learn more about food as medicine and research studies, and share wonderful videos as well as some of the philosophy of the Hawaiian culture. We could feel how much love and energy went into creating the beautiful temple, buildings, organic produce and sustainable way of life at Kokolulu. Just walking the property and gazing at the ocean provided their own unique “forest bathing”-type healing and we are grateful for all that the interns do to keep up the gardens, take care of the chickens, and much more. Lew and Karin have so much experience and expertise in dealing with chronic illness and cancer, so many stories to tell, and are such wonderful loving and giving human beings that you feel well cared for during your stay. Kokolulu is a very special and beautiful place to start your healing journey in Hawi, on the healing island of Hawaii. As Andrew’s partner on this journey, I felt very supported and equipped to carry on the practices in my life, which will help me with my health challenges as well. We feel so incredibly grateful to have had this experience and to be able to take home tools for well-being and for living a healthy life. Mahalo, Lew and Karin, for teaching us to be where we are (and in the moment), have an open heart, let go of what no longer serves us, and ask for what we want. We remember that energy flows where attention goes and healing works best when you are relaxed, and so much more. You will forever be a part of our lives. Aloha, Kay and Andrew