Leilani Laranio, Kamawailualani LLC | Business Stories Magazine

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Aloha kākou!

My name is Leilani Laranio. I am a Kānaka Maoli, native Hawaiian, born and raised on Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. I still reside in my hometown, with an intention to help my community and everyone else who is on their healing journey.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

The aloha and mana, love and divine power, that emanates throughout the islands is unique like nowhere else. It is strongly felt. We take care of others here in a way that shows our gratitude and respect for everything all around us. We are resilient.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Kamawailualani LLC believes health, wholeness, and inner peace can be achieved no matter what the circumstances. With my extensive knowing in the human body and the dynamics of this world, I specialize in helping people truly work on themselves to be their greatest selves. I see the potential in others, and I help them realize it in them. I am a Life Advisor who offers life changes. I help addicts who want to get clean and recovering addicts integrate back into healthy living. I also make medicinal tea and concoctions through Pono Maika’i Medicinals for ultimate health and wellness.

I officially started my business in 2024, but I feel like helping others and being of service for the greater good has always been a part of me. I received my BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2014. Initially I studied to become a physical therapist. I do have 6 years experience working in a physical therapy clinic, which allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the human mind-body connection. But not too long after moving back home from college, I slowly began to fall into heavier and heavier drugs. Addicted and living on the streets, I started shooting up heroin. June 7th, 2018 was my saving Grace, when I got arrested. I spent a week in cellblock withdrawing, going through it cold turkey. I was looking at felony drug charges and years in jail. I ended up being released on my own recognizance after 4 months. I completed one year of adult probation and graduated from outpatient drug treatment. I am 8 years clean from heroin and meth. Also five years sober. While getting clean in jail I ended up developing Epilepsy. I was put on anti-seizure medications, but they were causing more toxic adverse reactions. I was having panic attacks daily, I had to stop working, I developed agoraphobia and couldn’t even leave my house, AND I was still having seizures. I decided to take my health into my own hands through Integrative Medicine. I was confident in doing so because I already had an advanced knowledge in the way the body works. I have been healing my Epilepsy naturally for the past 4 years.

I have also spent some time in the homeless/addiction community. I got to experience first hand the struggles that so many people, so many towns, so many cities, so many states suffer from. While healing through my personal struggles I was able to see how much the island and its people were lacking and in desperate need for change. I got to see what truly needs to change. I got to go through that change. I am the best version of myself I have ever been, and life just keeps getting better and better. But my main focus is to help others see the beauty in their life and to spark motivation to want the best for themselves. You are the main priority in your life. To be able to show up fully for your friends, family, or career you must be able to fully show up for yourself first.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Stay focused. Don’t let outside distractions distort your vision. Have faith and believe in yourself no matter what happens in life. We are the co-creators of our reality. You must realize everything you want, is already yours.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

Sharing happy tears with someone you just met because your medicinal tea has helped her health and diabetes in ways medications haven’t been able to. After not having feeling in her fingertips for years, less than a week on my tea and she has circulation back. Her body began healing itself, just as it’s meant to. Feeling and seeing that spark in others to want the best for themselves is worth everything.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I am currently pursuing my second Bachelor’s degree in Holistic Health Sciences towards my Doctorate and PhD in Natural Medicine online at Quantum University. I plan on opening my own mobile clinic and rehab facility.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Natural and holistic practices are NOT alternative medicine, it is the original healing in its truest form. Integrative medicine is a combination of efficient healing modalities that focus on a person’s entirety. Understanding how the mind, body, spirit, and lifestyle choices are affecting one’s life.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles was being uncomfortable and having to learn how to confidently talk about what I’ve been through. Though it was a big struggle, it was also one of my biggest lessons. Knowing that my struggling times are building the foundation to my greatest reality. Becoming uncomfortable is necessary for change. I worked on my distortions/shadows, the ones that made me feel less than. I truly began believing in me and loving myself wholeheartedly. By doing so, I became open and able to share my story and why I do what I do.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I didn’t have a “favorite”, but I listened to a lot of R&B, Soul, rap, and countless local Hawaii musicians growing up. I didn’t have a favorite athlete growing up either. But I did play baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and ran track.