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Conference will
discuss East-West
alternative
health care

More than a dozen isle and
mainland specialists will
make presentations

Star-Bulletin staff

A three-day national conference on alternative medicine -- "Bridging East and West: Expanding Boundaries in Health Care" -- will be held at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel Feb. 9-11.

Dr. Jane Starn, director of the University of Hawaii School of Nursing's new Health and Healing Center and originator of the conference, said the goal is "to explore the opportunities and limitations of complementary and alternative medicine."

A researcher and practitioner in energy healing, she said the conference will "examine mind, body and spirit connections through human energy fields."

More than a dozen Hawaii and mainland specialists on alternative medicine will discuss their research and practices, "and show better ways for medical practitioners and consumers to evaluate alternative health practices."

DBEDT director Seiji Naya suggested Hawaii could play a big role in the multi-billion-dollar U.S. alternative and complementary health industry.

"Hawaii's excellent climate and active lifestyle make it a natural center for complementary and alternative medical care," Naya said.

Discussing native Hawaiian traditional healing practices will be Nanette L. Kapulani Mossman Judd, a registered nurse; Dr. Terry Shintani, founder of the "Hawaii Diet," and traditional Hawaiian healers Kamaki Kanahele and Kauila Clark.

Other speakers include:

Dr. Mary Cummings, health scientist administrator for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, discussing outcomes and effectiveness of research in complementary and alternative medicine.

Paul Pearsall, psychoneuroimmunologist and author of 12 books. His latest is "The Heart's Code: Tapping the Wisdom and Power of Your Heart Energy."

Psychiatrist Elisabeth Targ, director of the Complementary Medicine Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco.

Barbara Brennan, author of "Hands of Light and Light Emerging," former NASA physicist and founder of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing near New York City.

Konchok Rigzen, a Tibetan lama, who will speak on socio-cultural aspects of Buddhism as they relate to health and healing.

Tiffany M. Field, director of the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and dean of the Family and School Center at NSU.

The cost is $275 for health professionals and the public.

Call the UH Conference Center for reservations, 956-8204.

Sponsors of the conference are the UH School of Nursing and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

For more information, call Lacey Hilliard, conference logistics coordinator, 956-5480.