In early January I was delighted to return to Kauai. My husband and I love this island. We were last there in the spring of 2019. At that time, he was four months post-chemotherapy for stage 3 non-Hodgkins diffuse B cell lymphoma. We did not know what his recovery would hold and we had not been to the island since 2012, so it seemed like the perfect place for us to regroup, relax, and start the process of recovery.
Photo by Kathy Kroening. North Shore, Kauai, HI. January 2026
This trip, we were joined by good friends for the first week. Upon entering our rental condo, I went immediately to the lanai to take in the gorgeous ocean view, lush vegetation, and soothing sound of the crashing waves. I could feel myself start to relax on a very deep level that I seldom achieve. We enjoyed dinner at one of our favorite restaurants sitting outside in 70-degree weather. The travel day destroyed my lower back and hips which made for a terrible night’s sleep so although we were up much later than usual, I was up at 5:30am Kauai time the next morning. This might seem like a difficult start to a vacation but honestly it was amazing. I sat on the lanai in the dark, drinking coffee, and listening to the waves. As the sun rose and the birds began to sing, I felt truly blessed to have this 90 minutes alone with such beauty.
It is my routine at home to get up at 5:00am to write for an hour or two, even on long workdays, so I continued this pattern during our vacation. It was my gift to myself to have this time alone and enjoy the wonder of each blossoming morning. We visited familiar places, walked, talked, and soaked up the beauty and earth energy of the island.
What exactly is earth energy? What draws us to certain geographical locations and natural settings like the forest, mountains, or bodies of water? Why is this connection important? These were all questions circling my head during our two weeks in paradise. Two of my favorite places that have strong spiritual connections for me are Kauai and the Quinault Rain Forest/Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Both locations are culturally steeped in a history of respect and reverence for and cohabitation with nature. Kauai, known as the garden island, is Hawaii’s oldest main island having formed roughly five million years ago. It is not known for sure when the island was first inhabited but dates range from 250 to 1200 AD when visitors arrived by canoe from Tahiti and the Marquesas in the South Pacific. (Cook, 2023) Wahi Pana is a concept of great cultural significance to native Hawaiians. The term refers to sacred places that have spiritual power (mana) and are treated with great reverence and respect. The indigenous inhabitants were extremely diligent about preventing sea and land asset overuse consistent with the Native Hawaiian value of not desecrating the earth. While many Wahi Pana are associated with specific locations some can only be found when mind and soul are open to their discovery. (James, 2015)
Photo by Jeff Barreca. Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii. August 2000.
The Quinault Indian Nation consists of individuals descended from numerous indigenous groups including Cowlitz, Chehalis, Chinook, Quileute, Hoh, Queets, and Quinault. The Quinault Indian Reservation, located on the southwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula, spans over 200,000 acres including forests, rivers, and 23 miles of Pacific coastline. The Quinault ancestors lived off the land and sea in harmony with nature and believed each generation was obligated to provide environmental protection and support all life dependent on it for seven generations. (Robinson, n.d.) The earth was a source of sustenance and great spiritual communion.
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Quinault Rain Forest. June 2021
This connection to nature has been studied and for research purposes has been given the name ecospirituality. The sterility of this term leaves me feeling detached so I will continue to use earth energy in this piece. Research demonstrates a strong spiritual connection to nature promotes physical, cognitive, and emotional health and wellbeing. (Billet, M., 2025; De Lorenzo et al., 2025) Spending time in nature a minimum of 120 minutes weekly has been shown to improve baseline health and wellbeing while visiting parks and forests reduces cortisol, improves heart-rate variability, and results in increased relaxation. (De Lorenzo et al., 2025)
There are several theories that may help explain the positive effects of this connection to nature. Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory (ART) suggests focusing on cognitive tasks for long periods of time leads to attentional fatigue and natural environments hold attention easily without requiring cognitive effort allowing for rest and recovery. Ulrich’s Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) proposes being in natural environments leads to experiencing positive emotions and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system decreasing physiological arousal and reducing stress. (De Lorenzo et al., 2025) Kellert and Wilson’s Biophilia Hypothesis proposes that humans are genetically predisposed to need and desire a connection with nature because it provides relaxation and healing. (Gaekwad et al., 2022).
Research suggests that walking barefoot in grass affects blood flow in the cerebral cortex causing activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and greater relaxation. (De Lorenzo et al., 2025) The same effect can be achieved through barefoot contact with natural materials, so generalizing this to include walking barefoot on the beach and in the surf can lead to changes in the brain and nervous system that produce relaxation.
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Princeville, Kauai, HI. January 2026
Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing” became a popular preventive health care activity in Japan in the 1980’s. It incorporates mindfulness by focusing on all five senses while immersed in a natural setting. Research has shown that forest bathing improves immune function, cardiovascular and respiratory health, reduces depression and anxiety, promotes mental calming, and creates feelings of awe. (Hansen et al., 2017).
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Quinault Rain Forest, WA. June 2021
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Quinault Rain Forest, WA. June 2021
Research suggests that living near the coast improves quality of life and mental health because of stress reduction, better air quality, increased socializing, a more vigorous lifestyle, and feelings of spiritual connection with the ocean. (Nash et al., 2022). Although scientific studies may not prove the benefits of listening to and watching waves and walking barefoot in the sand, any beach lover will tell you it is calming, soothing, and mesmerizing.
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Kalaloch, Olympic National Park, WA. December 2017
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Anini Beach, Kauai, HI. January 2026
People have been photographing sunrise and sunset for as long as we have had photographic capability. Clearly humans find these markers of day and night visually appealing but is there something more happening. Research indicates that these events inspire awe which can lead to improved mood and produce positive emotions. (Smalley & White, 2023).
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Moclips, WA. June 2022
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Pacific Beach, WA. June 2024
In the last decade, research on emotional states has advanced and awe has been identified as a distinct emotion, arising in situations that exceed our usual frame of reference. Studies spanning 25 cultures document common experiences that are awe inspiring including exposure to the courage and kindness of others, nature, music, dance, art, and spiritual or religious practice. Several research studies indicate that awe has its own neurophysiological profile including reduced inflammation, increased oxytocin, increased vagal tone, and reduced sympathetic arousal leading to improved physical and mental health. In addition to this profile, awe also produces increased sense of meaning, prosocial behavior, social integration, and diminished sense of self. These can improve physical health by decreasing stress and somatic symptoms in the body, decreasing autoimmune disease symptoms, increasing cardiovascular health and longevity. They can improve mental health by increasing feelings of well-being, and decreasing stress, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (Monroy & Keltner, 2023)
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Wailua Falls, Kauai, Hawaii. December 2012.
We are all descended from people who lived in harmony with the land and had great respect for mother earth. It is time to renew this relationship. The health benefits of earth energy are well established and accessible to anyone. Whether it is spending time in your own yard or garden, visiting local parks, or traveling to visit places that inspire awe, the key is to really approach these experiences mindfully, and fully engage all of your senses. Beyond the benefits of earth energy for our own health, now more than ever it is important for us to rekindle our love and respect for the planet we call home. We have lost sight of stewardship and sustainability with heavy costs in multiple areas. We can all become ambassadors for change by inviting others to share our passion for earth energy.
Until next time sisters stay safe, be well, be kind to yourself, support each other, and spread the love.
Photo by Kathy Kroening. Seattle, WA. May 2025
References:
Billet, M., Baimel, A., Schaller, M., & Norenzayan, A. (2025). Ecospirituality. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 34(2). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09637214241304326
Cook, C. (2023). Kauai: A History. Mutual Publishing.
De Lorenzo, A., Bertiotti, S., Giannotta, F., & Rabaglietti, E. (2025) Who Benefits from Barefooting? The Key Role of Baseline Wellbeing in Psychophysical Restoration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22, 1779.
Gaekwad, J., Moslehian, A., Roos, P., & Walker, A. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of Emotional Evidence for the Biophilia Hypothesis and Implications for Biophilic Design. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-20.
Hansen, M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14, 851.
James, V. (2015). Ancient Sites of Kauai: A Guide to Hawaiian Archaeological and Cultural Places.
Monroy, M. & Keltner, D. (2023) Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(2), 309-320.
Nash, K., van Putten, I., Alexander, K., Bettiol, S., Cvitanovic, C., Farmery, A., Flies, E., Ison, S., Kelly, R., Mackay, M., Murray, L., Norris, K., Robinson, L., Scott, J., Ward, D., & Vince, J. (2022). Oceans and Society: Feedbacks Between Ocean and Human Health. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 32, 161-187.
Robinson, S. (n.d.). Quinault Indian Nation: Living on the Edge. The Evergreen State College. https://www.evergreen.edu/sites/default/files/Robinson%2520Quinault%2520case.pdf#:~:text=They,material%20and%20spiritual%20wealth%20to
Smalley, A. & White, M. (2023). Beyond Blue Sky Thinking: Diurnal Patterns and Ephemeral Meteorological Phenomena Impact Appraisals of Beauty, Awe, and Value in Urban and Natural Landscapes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 86.
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