About Makana Risser Chai

“Makana Risser Chai has done a great service for those of us who have dedicated our lives to the preservation of the Hawaiian people, healing arts and culture.” Dane Kaohelani Silva, kumu lomilomi (teacher of Hawaiian massage)

R. Makana Risser Chai is a lawyer and massage therapist whose speeches combine stand-up comedy, serious content and heartfelt compassion to help people thrive in business and in life.

As an attorney and CEO, she founded a small Silicon Valley training company and worked long-term with clients such as Cisco Corporation, Blue Cross, Fair Issac, DuPont, Coast Commercial Bank, and over 100 other leading organizations.

“Extremely useful. Exceptional presentation. Inspiring.” Michael McInerny, Manager of Industrial Relations, Honolulu

Makana researched, edited and authored the landmark book on traditional native Hawaiian healing massage, published in 2005 by the Bishop Museum, and authored Hawaiian Massage Lomilomi, winner of a 2008 Keep It Hawai'i Award for authentic portrayal of Hawaiian traditions. Formerly a consultant with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, she continues to connect business organizations with Native Hawaiian speakers and cultural practitioners.

Her speaking typically includes keynotes and workshops at conferences and companies. She has spoken in 38 states and in the U.K., has been an Adjunct Lecturer at Santa Clara University and the University of California at Santa Cruz, and has taught presentation skills to more than 250 trainers. She is a Certified Speaking Professional of the National Speakers Association, and has spoken for her speaker peers at national conferences 26 times.

"Wonderful! Inspiring!" Hawai'i AFSCME

She holds a Juris Doctor in law from the University of California at Berkeley, and Certificates in massage, Pilates, Quantum Psychology and yoga. She has taught 3 Pilates-Yoga classes a week since 2002 (and still does not have a perfect body). She is a Hawai'i Licensed Massage Therapist and certified in Lomilomi Hawaiian massage by Auntie Margaret Machado. She is a member of and keynoted for the Hawaiian Lomilomi Association.

She is a Certified Trainer by Stanford Forgiveness Project Director Dr. Fred Luskin, and a Certified Stress and Wellness Consultant of the Canadian Institute of Stress founded by Hans Selye, M.D. She is an associate of the Institute’s Vital Corporation, and has co-authored with the Institute’s Chairman, Richard Earle, Ph.D.

She is in a mixed marriage (attorney-artist) with sculptor and lamp designer Mark Chai. His mother, Elizabeth Pa Chai, says, “I gave her the name Makana because she is a gift to our family.”

"Your presentation was a life-changing moment for me. It has really impacted me at work. I feel transformed!" - Diane Praywell, attorney, Honolulu

Go here to read her blog on current thinking about the latest research, healing traditions, forgiveness, change, stress, and values.

Contact Makana to work with your organization.