Makani was raised on the island of Lanaʻi. He was taught from an early age, the importance of culture and our relationship with Akua, higher power, the ‘āina, the land, and Na Poʻe Kanaka, the people. And the important balance of all to achieve Mauli Ola, the breath of life and power of healing.

Throughout High School and into his college years, he helped mentor and work with at-risk teens at his Mother’s Youth Center on the island of Lanaʻi, and also with Local and National Native organizations, Na Pua Noʻeau, Pacific American foundation, and The Native Hawaiian Education Association. He taught & shared the importance of cultural knowledge, practices and concepts of traditional health, wellness & fitness.

He combined that with his knowledge of traditional healing practices taught to him by his Grandmother who was a nurse and cultural practitioner. He added his University studies in Exercise science, his study of hula, with Halau O Na Pua Kukui, his studies in Health & Wellness from Hawaiʻi College of Health Sciences and his cultural knowledge to help create cultural activities programs and curriculum for various Hotels & Resorts throughout Hawaiʻi. He created and developed the 1st Hawaiian based health & fitness programs for the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hale Koa Hotel, and Sheraton Resorts.

Makani is currently the Director of Cultural Education and a Cultural Practitioner at Hoʻokuola Pain Management clinic & Malama Recovery Services at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Poʻo (Director) of the Kakoʻo Council at the Kalanihoʻokaha Traditional Hawaiian Healing Center. He is also a curriculum writer for the Hoʻokuola Pain Management Clinic, Kealaokekoa & Malama Recovery substance abuse clinic, where he developed a successful, culturally based addiction recovery curriculum.

Makani prides himself on making sure everything he does personally and professionally is culturally based and balanced with traditional knowledge and contemporary thought. His main Kuleana, responsibility gifted to him by his Kupuna… is to preserve, perpetuate and practice traditional, Native health, wellness & healing.