"If there is a category for music that heals, Lei'ohu is in it. Her voice has a quality of tone . . . like liquid amber . . . that carries through all of her remarkable songs."

        - - Shim Farrell, educator, world music esthete

Lei'ohu Ryder is a spiritual leader, visionary, healer, singer/songwriter, and educator on Maui. She is an international emissary of aloha and an advocate for the indigenous soul in all people, blind to the labels (race, creed, nationality, ideology, etc.) that can separate us from experiencing the true nature of our selves and others.

Lei'ohu taught seventh-grade social studies at 'Iao Intermmediate School in Wailuku. She was a proponent of the "outdoor classroom," a series of opportunities for her students to visit cultural sites, sleep in the ancient dwellings, and walk in the footsteps of the people of old. Through her teaching, she inspired new generations to tread lightly and respectfully; for these activities, she was nominated for the Kukui Malamalama award by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

In 1995, Lei'ohu rediscovered the Kukuipuka heiau, once described as a Puu Honua (place of refuge), near Camp Maluhia. For the past 15 years, under her guidance and inspiration, many hands have worked to clear way the overgrowth, re-establish native plants and reawaken the mana of Kukuipuka heiau. Because of those efforts, it is once again a place of healing, sharing, and prayers. Many and diverse groups chose its beautiful setting for special gatherings, such as prayers for world peace, lessons in Hawaiian slack-key guitar, and Hawaiian herbal healing classes.

In 1999, she contributed chants, music and narration to the award-winning documentary "Red Turtle Rising." She was featured in the Nature Conservancy's documentary "Let Earth Live" in 2000. Lei'ohu has offered her speaking and musical talents and those of her collaborators to many community celebrations and events in Maui and throughout the world, through blessings, music, public speaking, intensives, counseling, healing work, wedding ceremonies, and funeral services... all with aloha.

Lei'ohu's talents and knowledge are honored and loved in her community and the world. Her work has been recognized by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Peace Corps and the United Nations. Lei'ohu was awarded the Gandhi-King Peace Hero Award in 2002 and in 2003 the Peace Corps Peace Educator Award. She has shared her gifts all around the world including Japan, Israel, India, and most of Europe.