Haunani ʻIao, PsyD
Dr. Haunani ‘Iao is the founder and president of ‘Iao Mind & Body Health, a Native Hawaiian–owned psychology practice grounded in mālama (care), pilina (connection), kuleana (responsibility), and pono (integrity). A kānaka maoli born and raised in Hawai‘i, she integrates modern neuroscience with ancestral wisdom to support sustainable individual and systems-level well-being.
She is working with Mindful Living Group to create group programs that support the embodied and sustained resilience and healing of our Maui community.
With over 14 years of clinical experience and a decade of healthcare leadership, Dr. ‘Iao has held leadership roles including Integrated Health Director, CPC+ Medical Director, and Behavioral Health Director within primary care and Federally Qualified Health Centers. She has led the development of large-scale programs, integrated behavioral health systems, and multidisciplinary training teams, shaping trauma-informed and culturally grounded models of care across Maui.
Her clinical specialization centers on trauma healing and resilience throughneuroscience-informed, somatic, and experiential therapies. She emphasizes nervous system regulation as a foundational wellness skill and integrates modalities such as Somatic Experiencing–informed approaches, mindfulness, CBT, and Internal Family Systems.
Dr. ‘Iao developed Discover Your Inner Resilience, a proprietary 7-module, data-driven group program that blends psychoeducation, embodiment practices, and community connection. The program integrates trauma science, polyvagal theory, breathwork, and values-based reflection, and is continuously refined through participant outcomes and feedback.
A certified Trauma-Sensitive Yoga teacher, she offers evidence-based somatic groups to support complex trauma recovery. She currently serves as Maui Representative on the Hawai‘i Psychological Association Board and has contributed to Peloton’s The Output, Well+Good, and Oprah Daily as a behavioral medicine sleep expert.
Dr. ‘Iao’s mindfulness practices include daily yoga with meditation and somatic awareness.
What Our Community Are Saying
Mindful Living Group has already helped me a lot with controlling my nervous system and I have only been with them for about four months. Excited to keep working with Mindful Living Group!
Mahalo to Mindful Living Group for offering amazing events and profound opportunities for learning, growing, and healing. I just completed the Love Heals class with Kahu Kahealani and this experience has been nothing short of life changing! I cannot recommend Love Heals enough- actually all of the events I have gone to from Mindful Living Group have been top notch, and a great source of healing inspiration for me on this journey of life. Mahalo nui loa to Kahu Kahealani and MLG!
I have worked professionally with this group and am very impressed with the insights they help their clients achieve through their skills and compassion.
Bridget S. Bongaard, MD, FACP, Medical Director Maui Cancer Wellness Retreats
She's so approachable, kind, experienced, knowledgeable and patient. We even have some laughs during our appointments. It's so obvious she genuinely cares about her patients and it's so refreshing. I always leave our appointments having all my concerns dissipated by her thorough explanations, genuine interest and calm demeanor. For an extremely anxious person like me who is weary of (and a bit traumatized by) our medical system, Ashley has given me hope. I trust her advice and I can't thank her enough.
Mindful Living Group is an incredible team of caring, talented, and service-oriented behavioral health professionals with a high level of discretion and integrity. The group's providers and staff alike are compassionate, skilled, ethical, and responsive.
Moreover, the practice has served as a pillar of leadership and generosity in the community and a bridge between the psychospiritual and material worlds for almost a decade, with unique offerings ranging from Lakota and Hawaiian cultural speakers to dream workshops, leadership and meditation groups, as well as hosting space for groundbreaking training in new treatments and beyond.
Mahalo Mindful living group. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my nurse practitioner. She has helped me heal mind, body, and spirit. Her patience, kindness, and genuine compassion have made such a difference in my life.
Because of her care and support, I am healthier, feel better about myself, and have regained confidence in my ability to move forward. I am incredibly grateful for the impact she has had on my life and would highly recommend Mindful living group to anyone looking for a provider who truly cares.
I am able to cope so much better that I actually got on a bus for the first time in 35 years. I have also started on the road to forgiveness and letting my family back into my life for the 1st time in 20+ years. I still have a long ways to go but in the short time we have worked together, Dr Nubla and the 5-AMDR treatment has helped greatly.
Take the next step toward healing.
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation with Mindful Living Group today and discover how to build lasting change for a calmer, more focused mind.
