The ancient healing gift of lomilomi massage was brought to the forefront by Aunty Margaret Machado of Kona, who learned lomilomi at a young age from her grandfather. Aunty Margret has trained more students than any other living kupuna. Her technique of lomilomi massage, which includes a lot of forearm strokes and a 1-2-3 rhythm, is probably the most widely practiced.

The late Abraham Kawai'i DeCambra, who lived on Kaua'i until he died in 2004, introduced another popular lomilomi technique known as "temple style." It is thought by some practitioners to be a modern massage therapy development. According to massage therapist and lomilomi historian Nancy Kahalewai: "Outside of the Hawaiian Islands, temple bodywork is the most common type of 'Hawaiian massage' being done in the world. Another style of lomilomi massage, temple style massage involves extensive use of forearm strokes. These two massage traditions and techniques were considered sacred, rituals, and kapu. They were passed on only by oral tradition, thus the absence of written documentation.

There is no one routine or lomilomi massage technique. Most styles are done with the hands (traditional lomi style) and forearms (temple bodywork style}. Other lomilomi practitioners do more lomilomi with their fingers and heels of the hands. They listen with their hands, which then move deep into the problematic tissues. The fingers move in multi-directional strokes to exfoliate the skin, disperse scar tissue and knots of tention.

Lomilomi massage is effective in breaking up calcium deposits and lactic acid build-up, by a variety of strokes applied to the body. According to Aunty Margaret, lomilomi has a dramatic effect on the blood, the muscles and the nerves. It dilates blood vessels, thus improving circulation and lessening strain on the heart. It helps to prevent strokes and mitigates certain types of paralysis. It relieves muscle spasms and increases the supply of nutrients brought to the muscles by the blood. It stimulates the release of waste products, and is useful after injury to prevent or reduce swelling. It also restores vitality, relieves fatigue, stimulates metabolism and promotes sleep.

True lomilomi massage practitioners do not consider themself's healer, but rather as a conduit for healing. During a traditional lomilomi massage session, the practitioner begins with a pule (prayer), asking to be aligned with divine power, and praying to keep their heart and mind clear as a channel for healing energy. Proper breathing, pure thoughts and intense focus are important to the success of a treatment as is properly applied massage strokes and technique. The Hawaiian's believe thoughts contain energy, or mana which, combined with pa (touch) and hanu (breath), are transferred to the receiver. Both the massage therapist and receiver must focus on positive thought and healing for maximum benefit.

A authentic lomilomi massage experience is a participation in a sacrament in which the massage table serves as an altar and divinity merges with humanity. It can be a mystical encounter that generates profound changes of spirit, mind and body for both practitioner and recipient. Kahuna lomilomi believe that it is in sharing aloha that one truly gives and receives the blessing of healing...physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.