Our Story & Philosophy
Pō a Ao — The Philosophy
poh · ah · ow — Hawaiian: from darkness into light
Why We Exist
The Journey Through
Darkness to Light
Pō a Ao (poh · ah · ow) — Hawaiian for “from darkness into light.”
Pō a Ao was founded on a single conviction: that the deepest healing happens not by avoiding the darkness, but by moving through it with skilled, compassionate guidance. Every person who walks through our doors is already in their Po — the sacred void of addiction, trauma, depression, or loss of meaning. Our work is to walk with them into that darkness and bring them home to Ao.
We draw our name and philosophy from the Kumulipo — the 2,102-line Hawaiian creation chant. The Kumulipo describes the emergence of all life from Po (sacred darkness) into Ao (the world of light). This is not mythology — it is a precise map of the healing journey.
Our programs combine ibogaine, ketamine, MDMA, and Reiki with Hawaiian healing traditions — operating from Los Algodones, Mexico (7 miles from Yuma, AZ) now, and from the Big Island of Hawai'i as the law permits.
Maile — the sacred vine of Hawai'i, woven into lei for ceremonies of healing and transition. Its fragrance is said to open the pathway between Po and Ao.
The Sacred Creation Chant
The Kumulipo
The Kumulipo is a 2,102-line Hawaiian creation chant whose name means "Beginning-in-Deep-Darkness" — kumu (source) + lipo (deep darkness). Below are the opening lines of the First Wa (First Era), in Hawaiian with English translation.
| Olelo Hawai'i — Hawaiian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Hanau ka po, hanau ka po | Born was the night, born was the night |
| Hanau ka po i ka lipo | Born was the night in the deep darkness |
| Hanau ka po i ka lipo loa | Born was the night in the very deep darkness |
| Hanau ka po i ka po uli | Born was the night in the dark night |
| Hanau ka po i ka po ele | Born was the night in the black night |
| Hanau ka po i ka po loa | Born was the night in the long night |
| Hanau ka po i ka po lua | Born was the night in the double night |
| Hanau ka po i ka po nui | Born was the night in the great night |
| Hanau ka po i ka po pau | Born was the night in the complete night |
| O ka lipo o ka la, o ka lipo o ka po | The deep darkness of the day, the deep darkness of the night |
| O ka lipo o ka Ao, o ka lipo o ka Po | The deep darkness of the Light, the deep darkness of the Night |
| Po wale ho'i | Night indeed |
The First Wa unfolds entirely in Po — the sacred darkness before form. Life emerges first as coral polyp and sea urchin, then fish, then land creatures, then birds, then the first human. Each birth is paired: darkness paired with light. This is the arc of every healing journey — and why we named our sanctuary Po a Ao.
The Stars of the Kumulipo
Polynesian Astronomy &
The Navigation of Healing
The Polynesian people were the greatest navigators in human history — crossing 10 million square miles of open ocean using only the stars, swells, wind, and birds. Mauna Kea on the Big Island rises 13,796 feet above sea level — the clearest stargazing on Earth. The same stars that guided the wayfinders now guide our guests through their inner journey.
| Hawaiian Name | Western Name | Role in Navigation and Ceremony |
|---|---|---|
| Hokule'a | Arcturus | Zenith star of Hawai'i — the navigator's north star of the Pacific |
| Nahiku | Big Dipper | The Seven Stars — used to find north and track seasons |
| Ke Ka o Makali'i | Pleiades | Marked the Hawaiian New Year (Makahiki) when rising at sunset |
| Ka Iwikuamo'o | Milky Way | The backbone of the sky — the road of souls between worlds |
| Manaiakalani | Scorpius | Maui's fishhook — used to pull up the Hawaiian islands from the sea |
| Holopuni | Canopus | Southern guide star — used to navigate to Tahiti and beyond |
The Polynesian wayfinder did not fear the open ocean. They read the darkness — the stars, the swells, the phosphorescence — and found their way home. We do not suppress the darkness of addiction and trauma. We learn to read it, honor it, and navigate through it to the other side.
The Sacred Plants
Maile, Ki, Awa &
The Iboga Root
Maile (Alyxia stellata)
The sacred vine of Hawai'i, used in healing ceremonies for generations. Maile lei are worn at moments of transition — births, healings, new beginnings. Its fragrance is said to open the pathway between Po and Ao.
Ki / Ti (Cordyline fruticosa)
One of the most sacred plants in Hawaiian culture, used to ward off negative energy, wrap offerings, and mark sacred boundaries. Our healers use ti leaves to cleanse the treatment space before and after each session.
Awa (Piper methysticum)
Kava — known as awa in Hawaiian — has been used in Pacific healing ceremonies for over 3,000 years. We offer awa ceremonies as part of our integration protocol, helping guests ground and process their experiences.
Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga)
The root bark of the iboga shrub, used for centuries by the Bwiti people of Central Africa. Modern research confirms its extraordinary ability to interrupt addiction and facilitate profound psychological healing.
Rainbow Falls, Hilo — where the goddess Hina is said to live beneath the falls.
The Healers
Our Medical &
Cultural Team
Medical Director
Board-Certified Physician
Our Medical Director is a board-certified physician with specialized training in psychedelic-assisted therapy and cardiac safety protocols. All medical screening, EKG monitoring, and session oversight is conducted under their direct supervision.
Lead Psychologist
Integration Specialist
Our Lead Psychologist brings both Western trauma therapy and traditional healing practices to every session. Specializing in trauma-informed care, they guide each guest through preparation, the session itself, and the critical integration period that follows.
Head of Clinical Care
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Our Head of Clinical Care is a certified nurse practitioner specializing in cardiac monitoring, medication management, and patient safety during psychedelic sessions. Present throughout every session to ensure the highest standard of care.
Cultural Guide & Reiki Master
Hawaiian Healing Arts
Our Cultural Guide is a Reiki master and Hawaiian healing practitioner who weaves traditional healing arts into every program — leading Reiki sessions, guiding guests through the meaning of the Kumulipo, and tending to the sacred plants that anchor our ceremonies.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
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