HOME

Dear students, alumni, family and friends,

After 22 years, it’s time for me to retire from the operations of the school and begin the next chapter of my life. After our next scheduled licensing class this summer, I will be closing HISM and all business related operations, with the exception of existing commitments. This decision has not been easy, but it’s what I must do.

Reflecting back since my late husband, Peter, and I first opened our beloved school here on the Big Island, there is much to be proud of. As I graduate from this part of my life and enter into a new calling, I feel truly blessed having been a part of the lives of so many.

Many of HISM’s accomplishments also contributed to the advancement of the massage profession in Hawaii and beyond. It’s been a privilege teaching so many wonderful students from all over the world. Some of you still remain close, while many of you have taken your gifts to new limits and far away places. You all have a place in my heart.

Thank you all for being a part of HISM’s mission of offering the highest caliber of massage education to students and for shaping our truly rewarding profession. Those of you – students, staff, instructors, alumni and friends – who helped establish and shape HISM over the years, helped make this an experience of a lifetime.

With much aloha,
Lynn Wind
LMT, RMT, Owner, President, Academic & Clinical Director

---

TIMELINE OF HISM HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1988 – The Hawaiian Islands School of Body Therapy (HIS) is purchased by Lynn and Peter Wind in Kailua-Kona, establishing the first 1,000 hour training program in Hawaii based on Canadian medical massage

1989-90 – Joining massage professionals state-wide, HIS successfully lobbies the Hawaii Legislature, expanding educational options for massage students and changing the laws regulating advertising of massage services

1990 – HIS begins the first of 20 years as an official volunteer Massage Team Coordinator for the Ford Ironman World Championship Race triathlon

1991 – HIS becomes authorized to issue M1 student visas to international students, the first and only massage school to do this on the Big Island

1991 – The Sports Massage Training Institute presents HIS with the “Art of Caring Award,” for volunteer massage service to the community

1991 – HIS becomes an approved school for massage licensing in several states outside of Hawaii including Washington, Oregon, and most recently, California, and Georgia

1999 – Expanding to include a wellness center and day spa, HIS moves to its present location at Pualani Terrace in Kealakekua

2000 – Changing its name to The Hawaiian Islands School of Massage (HISM), the curriculum is expanded to a 1,250 hour Licensing Program and 1,475 Honors Program, becoming one of the most expansive medical massage programs in the U.S.

2001 – HISM entry level course manuals are translated into Japanese

2003 – HISM becomes sponsored by several Japanese organizations to teach massage workshops in Japan on a regular basis

2008 – With Thomas and Elizabeth Nani of Earthlight Massage Company, HISM is invited to serve as Massage Team Coordinator for the Ford Ironman World Championship Race triathlon in Haikou, China - that same year, owner Peter Wind passes away suddenly, but peacefully in his sleep

2009 – Lynn and Peter Wind are nominated to the World Massage Festival Hall of Fame (Induction in 2011)

2010 – New streamlined curriculum launches after recommendations from “Team 2010 and Beyond,” a core group of dedicated staff and HISM graduates

2010 – (June) Celebrating 22 years of continuous operation in massage student education on the Big Island, HISM’s total number of graduates tops 650