[2] Lomilomi was made famous around the world by Hawaiian tourism, but is also a traditional practice in the neighbouring Polynesian Islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia, Samoa, and Tokelau.
Future practitioners were selected in childhood, around age 5, based on birth signs such as weather events, birthmarks (especially on the head), and kind behavior.
"[6] The early Polynesian settlers brought their own form of massage to Hawai'i and Hawaiian lomilomi evolved their own unique Hawaiian style, whilst neighbouring Polynesian Islands such as Tokelau, Samoa and Tahiti also developed their own forms of Lomilomi being practiced by everyone, from child to chief.
As an indigenous practice that evolved over hundreds of years in isolated valleys throughout the island chain, there are many different "schools" of lomilomi with different approaches and techniques.
[3] After American missionaries arrived in 1820 and converted many in the Kingdom of Hawaii to Christianity, various laws prohibited "heathen" worship and any related Native Hawaiian healing practices.
According to William Brigham the first Director of the Bishop Museum, writing in 1908, one of the most skilled practitioners was Sanford Dole, one of the leaders of the overthrow of the Kingdom.
Many renowned native healers were unable or unwilling to pass the test, and thus lomilomi as restorative massage was forced underground.
In 2001, the Legislature passed Act 304, amending HRS section 453, allowing native practitioners to be certified by the Hawaiian medical board, Papa Ola Lōkahi, or by the various community health centers.
Lomilomi practitioners may also ask their clients to pray, meditate, change their diets, or take other action as part of their health improvement process.