Pohala Clinic - A Place of Healing

12/08/2025

🌿 Word of the Week: Koa 🌿

This week, we reflect on the Hawaiian word Koa which means bravery, courage, and warrior spirit. It also refers to the koa tree, one of the strongest and most cherished trees in Hawaiʻi. Both the word and the tree symbolize strength, resilience, and the courage to stand tall.

Koa describes someone who meets life with courage, be it facing challenges, changes, or new beginnings. It’s about moving forward even when things feel uncertain.

The koa tree has long been valued in Hawaiian culture. Its wood was used to craft canoes, weapons, and tools that required great strength. Because of this, koa became closely tied to the qualities of leadership, determination, and inner fortitude. To be koa is to embody this same strength in spirit.

Healing often asks us to call upon our inner koa. It takes courage to rest, to grow, and to ask for support. The warrior spirit can be gentle too. Sometimes bravery is simply waking up and trying again.

At Pohala Clinic, we honor the koa within each person. We are here to help you feel supported, brave, and grounded as you move through your healing journey. 🌱💚

This week, let Koa remind you that strength is already within you, and every small act of courage matters.

12/02/2025

🌬️ 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴: 𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓪𝓷𝓲 🌬️

This week, we honor the Hawaiian word Makani, which means wind or breeze. In Hawaiʻi, the makani is a presence that carries stories, shifts energy, and gently reminds us that change is always moving through our lives.

Makani refers to the winds that move across the islands. These winds can be soft and soothing or strong and powerful, each with its own name and personality. They are seen as messengers of nature, bringing renewal, cleansing, and connection.

In Hawaiian culture, winds are deeply respected. Many winds are named and remembered in chants and moʻolelo, because they reflect the character of a place. Knowing the makani of an area meant understanding the land and the life it supported.

Makani reminds us that healing often comes like the wind, in gentle shifts or sudden changes. It can clear what feels heavy, bring fresh perspective, and help us breathe a little easier. Even a small breeze can calm the heart and steady the mind.

At Pohala Clinic, we see healing as a movement of energy. Just like the makani, it can guide, refresh, and renew. We are here to support you through every shift in your wellness journey with care and aloha. 🌿💚

This week, let Makani remind you to breathe deeply, release what no longer serves you, and welcome in the fresh air of new possibilities.

11/30/2025

Off to Hawaii——- 🫶🌺🌴A wonderful nearly spontaneous gift. We will gather Aloha for Pohala.

BTW I’m almost finished with obtaining my NP license for Hawaii…. Soon we will be able to offer Telehealth for my Hawaiian community. I think my ancestors are smiling…

11/24/2025

🌺 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴: 𝓗ōʻ𝓲𝓱𝓲 🌺

This week, we highlight the Hawaiian word Hōʻihi, which means respect, reverence, and honoring others. It reflects the kindness and care we show in our relationships, our communities, and the way we move through the world.

Hōʻihi is about recognizing the dignity in others and treating them with consideration. It includes speaking with kindness, listening with presence, and acknowledging the value of each person and place in our lives.

In Hawaiian culture, hōʻihi is a guiding value for healthy relationships and strong communities. It is shown through behavior, tone, and actions that uplift rather than diminish. Practicing hōʻihi honors ancestors, ʻāina, and the people who walk beside us today.

Respect is foundational to healing. When we give and receive hōʻihi, we create safe space for growth and restoration. Healing deepens when we feel seen, heard, and honored for who we are.

As we move through the Thanksgiving season, hōʻihi reminds us to show gratitude not only in words but in the way we treat one another. Respect and appreciation go hand in hand, especially during a time focused on connection and thankfulness.

At Pohala Clinic, we strive to practice hōʻihi every day. We honor each person’s story and support your wellness journey with compassion and care. 🌿💚

This week, let Hōʻihi guide how you care for yourself and for the people around you, especially during this season of gratitude.

11/13/2025

🎉 Pohala Clinic Welcomes Dr. Alex M Cullen! 🎉

We are thrilled to introduce our newest provider, Dr. Alex M Cullen! He brings a powerful combination of Naturopathic Medicine and Clinical Research to offer compassionate, evidence-based care in Naturopathic Primary Care. He focuses on a wide scope, including Endocrinology, Cardiology, Neurology, and Mental Health.

Ready to benefit from his research-informed approach? Schedule your appointment today! Outside of the clinic, you might spot Dr. Cullen enjoying some strength training, mixed martial arts, or perhaps cooking up a storm!

Want to know more about Dr. Alex? Check out our blog! 👉 https://www.pohalaclinic.com/blog/pohala-clinic-welcomes-dr-alex-to-the-team

📅 Book now: https://www.pohalaclinic.com/
📱 Call now: 503-572-4196
📍 Pohala Clinic – A Place of Healing

11/08/2025

After several requests 🌟

Michael Foster, my husband and co-owner of Pohala Clinic is offering a Self Defense class
👊🥊🥋❣️💥🌈🧨

January 16-18th, 2026

This is unlike any other self defense class as Michael incorporates Spatial Dynamics, a holistic approach to assess your personal space and the environment around you. His expertise spans over 35yrs affecting Local to Federal/ National and as of 2025 World organizations. I can attest both personally and professionally that he has helped countless individuals come out unscathed from adverse circumstances and even prevented them altogether. Whether it be a woman trying to leave an abusive partner to a woman being acosted on the street Michael can help you garner your personal power and flip the dynamic in your favor.

Please share if you think this would be useful for the women your life!

Elevate Your Safety and Wellness: Join Our 2.5-Day Self-Defense and Spacial Dynamics Masterclass!

11/04/2025

🌺 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴: 𝓜ā𝓴𝓪𝓾𝓴𝓪𝓾 🌺

This week, we focus on the Hawaiian word Mākaukau, which means ready, prepared, or skilled. It’s a word that carries both confidence and calm, and a reminder that readiness is not just about action, but about mindset and heart.

Mākaukau means being ready and equipped for what lies ahead. It can describe someone who is prepared for a task or a challenge, but it also speaks to inner readiness that comes from self-awareness and trust.

In Hawaiian culture, being mākaukau reflects responsibility and respect. Whether setting out on a voyage, caring for the ʻāina, or tending to others, preparation showed not only skill but also honor for the task. To be mākaukau is to move with intention and confidence.

Healing often asks us to be mākaukau in new way. To show up for ourselves with openness even when we don’t have all the answers. Readiness doesn’t mean perfection. It means being willing to take the next step, no matter how small.

At Pohala Clinic, we help you feel mākaukau on your wellness journey. Through compassion, knowledge, and support, we walk beside you as you prepare your body, mind, and spirit for greater balance and healing. 🌿💚

This week, let Mākaukau remind you that readiness starts within. When your heart, mind, and spirit align, you are already prepared for what comes next.

11/03/2025

Autumn 🍂 Gathering 2025

We took some time out of time and enjoyed coming together.

Happy Halloween 🎃
Happy All Souls Day ✨

We honored our ancestors who came before us.

We Danced 🕺

We shared Butternut Squash soup and many other goodies.

A great shout out to my sister and my friend for helping decorate and create beautiful tissue paper flowers 💐 that are now displayed around Pohala until Thanksgiving.

10/27/2025

🌿 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴: 𝓤𝓵𝓾 🌿

This week, we reflect on the Hawaiian word Ulu, which carries beautiful layers of meaning: to grow, to inspire, to sprout, or to thrive. It can also refer to the breadfruit tree, a symbol of nourishment and abundance across the Pacific.

Ulu means growth in every sense be it physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is about expansion and becoming more of who you are meant to be. Like a seed that grows into a tree, ulu reminds us that growth takes time and nurturing.

In Hawaiian tradition, the ʻulu (breadfruit) is a vital source of food and a symbol of life and prosperity. It represents the strength of community and the importance of care and cultivation. When the ʻulu tree thrives, it feeds many which is a reflection of how our own growth can nourish those around us.

Ulu reminds us that healing is a form of growth. Even in stillness, something within us is moving toward wholeness. Every small step matters.

At Pohala Clinic, we honor your journey of ulu. Our integrative approach supports growth in body, mind, and spirit, helping you thrive in every season of life. 🌱💚

This week, let Ulu remind you that growth is always happening, even in quiet moments. Nurture it, trust it, and let it carry you forward.

10/23/2025

🚨 New BlogPost 🚨
"How Natural Medicine Can Improve Oral Health"

Oral health is vital for a healthy body as inflammation and pathogens from the mouth can affect systemic health. In the blog, Dr. Alex details periodontitis, common treatments, and explores adjunctive options like theobromine-based toothpaste for advanced oral care.

👉 Read the full article and start making the connection:

Oral health is vital for a healthy body as inflammation and pathogens from the mouth can affect systemic health. Dr. Alex details periodontitis, common treatmen

10/20/2025

🌊 Word of the Week: Moana 🌊

This week, we celebrate the Hawaiian word Moana, which means ocean, open sea, or expanse of water. The moana is vast, powerful, and life-giving. It connects islands, cultures, and people, serving as both a physical and spiritual pathway.

Moana refers to the deep ocean and the endless horizon. The ocean is not just water; it is a living force, a teacher, and a source of wisdom. It represents mystery, depth, and the interconnectedness of all life.

For Native Hawaiians and other Pacific peoples, the moana is central to identity and survival. It has guided navigation, provided sustenance, and shaped stories, chants, and traditions for generations. The moana reminds us to honor nature’s power and the relationships that sustain us.

✨ If you’ve seen the Disney film “Moana,” you’ve glimpsed this connection. The story captures the deep respect Pacific cultures hold for the ocean as both guide and companion.

The moana reflects the flow of life itself. Just as the tides rise and fall, healing ebbs and flows. Being near or connected to the ocean can calm the mind, and awaken the spirit. The sea holds space for reflection, renewal, and courage.

At Pohala Clinic, we honor the spirit of Moana by supporting journeys of healing that are both personal and connected to something larger. Like the ocean, your path may be wide and unpredictable, but it holds beauty and strength within its depths. 🌿🌊

This week, let Moana remind you to find peace in life’s rhythms and to draw strength from the vastness that surrounds you.

10/19/2025

Pohala is always collaborating with other NP-Led clinics - Voda who is owned by Chelsea and Keith Delselms shares a similar approach for Integrative Primary Care. We met up after the NPO conference and toured their clinic. They too are a husband /wife team. It was so nice to share our experiences, visions, and passions about how we imagine optimal healthcare for our patients. Truly inspiring.