About Us

"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 healing massage)

Makana's passion is Hawaiian healing traditions, and how they apply in our lives. She is the author of two books on traditional Hawaiian healing. An attorney, massage therapist and humorist, in her past life she was CEO-founder of a small Silicon Valley training company. She has facilitated more than a thousand business presentations in 38 states and the U.K. More about Makana.

"Makana is an exceptional story-teller with the ability to reframe Harvard Business Review concepts in culturally relevant examples." Pattie Nishimoto, CEO, RCH, Honolulu

Makana has been honored to meet some of the most respected Hawaiians today, who share their thoughts and cultural practices in speeches, workshops and teambuilding activities for audiences around the world. Contact us.

About Makana Risser Chai

"You had every participant's attention, participants were engaged and interactive in an informative way. Your presentation was extremely useful and life changing. 'Absolutely terrific,' 'Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!' 'Inspirational!' were some of the comments received. You have made a definite difference in the participants' lives." State of Hawai'i, Department of Education, Leeward District

Makana has facilitated programs long-term for clients such as DuPont, Blue Cross, FICO, Cisco Corporation, Coast Commercial Bank, and over 100 other leading organizations.

She authored the landmark book on traditional Hawaiian healing massage, published in 2005 by the Bishop Museum, and her second book won a 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.

"They loved the interactive activities throughout the day. The evaluations and comments were tremendous - valuable and excellent sum it up. They left at the end of the day feeling inspired and motivated and eager to share what they learned and to start using the techniques to become more effective and engaged in their personal ives and in their work." County of Hawai'i, Department of Human Resources

Her speaking typically includes keynotes and workshops at conferences and companies. She 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, earned by the top 10% of speakers for platform skills, and has spoken for her speaker peers at national conferences 26 times.

"Makana kept us engaged. She is funny and passionate and energetic. It was great!" Gretchen Lawsen, President, ARC of Kona

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).

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

Contact Makana