Kauai Ketamine Retreat

A Transformational Experience at Mahina Kai Kauai

Welcome to Mahina Kai

A Sanctuary for Psychedelic Healing

Tucked away on the lush north shore of Kauai, Mahina Kai is a sacred space for soul-deep restoration. Whether you're called here for quiet reflection, guided inner work, or psychedelic-assisted transformation, this land holds you. Cradled between ocean and jungle, it invites you to come home to yourself.

This is where Dr. Liz Esalen weaves together psychology, spirituality, somatics, and psychedelic wisdom—offering healing experiences that meet you exactly where you are. Here, time slows down. The noise fades. And the path forward begins to reveal itself.

Explore your options below.

Choose your path

START HERE:

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Stay at mahina kai

Mahina Kai is available as a private rental—perfect for rest, solo reflection, or creative retreat. This option does not include any guided services and is ideal if you’re simply seeking peace, beauty, and space to reset.

BOOK TO STAY →
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Work With Dr. Liz

This is a private retreat experience that includes 1:1 work with Dr. Liz. Your time may include energy healing, somatic therapy, coaching, and ketamine-assisted sessions when appropriate.

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Attend a Retreat

Luminous group retreats are immersive, multi-day experiences with ceremony, integration, and community. These include optional ketamine-assisted work and are hosted seasonally by Dr. Liz and her team.

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Interior of a spacious living room with white walls, a large white sectional sofa, rattan coffee tables, a textured rug, and various decorative pillows. The background features a bar area with shelving and artwork, with a step leading to a wooden flo
Open-concept kitchen and living room area with ocean view through large windows, white cabinetry, wood floors, and minimal decor.
Bright white kitchen with three barstools at a white island, stainless steel refrigerator, open shelving with dishes and decor, window views of greenery, hardwood flooring, pendant and recessed lighting.
Bathroom with wooden vanity, illuminated mirror, shower area, toilet, stacked washer and dryer, and hardwood flooring.
A minimalist bedroom with a large bed covered in white bedding, two bedside lamps, a window with green foliage outside, and a wall hanging above the bed.
A bedroom at Mahina Kai Kauai with white walls, a bed with white bedding and tan pillows, a mirror reflecting the opposite side of the room, a nightstand with a lamp, a mirror closet door, and a door leading to a living room with ocean view.
Bright living room at Mahina Kai Kauai with white sectional sofa, glass coffee table, rattan side table, tropical decor, and ocean sunset wall art, with large window showing greenery outside.
Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, open wooden shelves, stainless steel refrigerator, marble countertops, wooden bar stools, and decorative wall art at Mahina Kai Kauai.
Interior of a Mahina Kai Kauai with a wooden dining table and chairs, white walls, coral-colored lighting fixture, and large windows showing a view of greenery and the ocean
A modern white bathtub filled with water in a bathroom with beige textured walls and hexagonal tile flooring, featuring a gold-colored faucet.
Living room with large sliding glass doors overlooking the ocean and outdoor chairs on a grassy lawn.
Bright kitchen and dining area with large windows, wooden dining table, white cabinetry, stainless steel refrigerator, open shelving, and a view of a bedroom in the background.
Living room with large sliding glass doors opening to a view of the ocean, with chairs on a grassy area outside, and furniture including sofas, a coffee table, and artwork inside.
Living room with large sliding glass doors overlooking the ocean and garden, furnished with white sofas, a wicker chair, a wooden coffee table, and outdoor chairs.
Bathroom vanity with double sinks, gold fixtures, two oval mirrors, a potted plant, and a beige wall in a modern bathroom.
Modern bathroom with a separate walk-in shower and a bathtub, featuring minimalistic design, neutral colors, hexagon floor tiles, and brass fixtures.
Modern bathroom with walk-in glass shower, wooden vanity with white countertop, large oval mirrors, potted plant, and rolled white towels.
A bedroom with a white bed, nightstands, lamps, and a view of tropical garden and ocean through a large sliding door.
Bright bedroom with white walls, bedding, and decor, featuring a large bed with an intricate white headboard, bedside lamps, a mirrored closet, a ceiling fan, and a small hallway with a curved door.
Living room with a large window overlooking greenery and blue sky, white couches, a television in a wooden nook, white louvered closet doors, and a woven pendant light.
Empty outdoor tennis court with blue surface, surrounded by a green fence, with a modern white residential building in the background, under a bright blue sky with some clouds, and palm trees nearby.
Empty outdoor tennis court with green fencing, surrounded by palm trees and lush foliage under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Two chairs facing a lush green lawn with a view of the ocean, blue sky with clouds, and tropical foliage in the background.
Poolside area with sun loungers, umbrellas, and a view of the ocean under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas on a sunny day overlooking a lush landscape and the ocean in the distance.

Want to see more of Mahina Kai’s magic?

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Dr. Liz Esalen in a brown dress smiling on a beach at sunset.
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Why Ketamine in Kauai?

Where sacred medicine meets sacred land

Ketamine offers a powerful doorway into the psyche—helping loosen long-held patterns, ease depression and anxiety, and catalyze lasting healing. When used in the right setting, with experienced support and intention, it becomes more than a treatment. It becomes a rite of passage.

Kauai amplifies this work.

The island itself invites surrender. Its lushness, its pace, its pulse—all create space for clarity, release, and return. Together, ketamine and Kauai support a truly holistic journey: mind, body, and soul.

Dr. Liz Esalen sitting contemplatively on rocky beach at sunset.
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Meet Dr. Liz Esalen

Dr. Liz Esalen is a shamanic psychologist, energy medicine practitioner, and the founder of Luminous Healing Center and Luminous Kauai Retreats.

Her work bridges science and spirit—combining trauma-informed therapy, somatic practices, psychedelic-assisted healing, and ceremonial energy work. She creates safe, sacred containers where people can reconnect with their bodies, release what no longer serves them, and awaken into their full expression.

Whether you’re seeking integration, renewal, or deep rest, Liz holds space for what’s next.

Areas of Specialty:
• Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (Ketamine, MDMA)
• Trauma and Eating Disorder Recovery
• Somatic, Embodiment, and Feminist Therapies
• Shamanic Energy Medicine
• Conscious Movement, Ceremony, and Integration

Leadership:
• Founder & CEO – Luminous Healing Center (CA + HI)
• Founder – The Lotus Collaborative, Santa Cruz & San Francisco
• Over 20 years in clinical, teaching, and facilitation roles

FAQ

  • Yes. When administered in a professional and supportive environment, ketamine can be a safe and effective catalyst for healing and transformation. At Mahina Kai, every experience is guided with care, intention, and respect for your unique process. Safety and preparation are always prioritized.

  • No experience is required. Whether this is your first time working with a psychedelic medicine or part of your ongoing journey, Liz and her team meet you exactly where you are. Each retreat includes preparation and integration support to help you feel grounded, informed, and ready for the experience.

  • Both options are welcome. You can attend solo for personal restoration and deep inner work, or come with a partner or loved one to explore shared healing and connection. Mahina Kai accommodates individuals, couples, and small groups.

  • Each path offers a different way to experience Mahina Kai:

    1. Stay at Mahina Kai – A peaceful private rental to rest, recharge, and connect with the land.

    2. Personalized Retreat with Liz – Combine your stay with one-on-one transformational coaching, energy medicine, or ketamine-assisted work.

    3. Luminous Kauai Retreat – A group experience blending ceremony, community, and integrative healing practices.

  • Absolutely. Mahina Kai is open to guests simply seeking rest and renewal. You can book the property for a tranquil island stay, surrounded by nature and designed for reflection, creativity, and peace.

  • Each retreat includes lodging at Mahina Kai, nourishing meals, preparation and integration sessions, and guided experiences tailored to your chosen path. Some retreats also include group circles, energy medicine, and time for solitude on the land. Details vary by retreat type, and custom options can be discussed during your initial call.

  • The experience is often described as spacious, introspective, and heart-opening. You may explore memories, sensations, or insights that bring clarity or release. Sessions are facilitated in a comfortable, nurturing environment with support before, during, and after to help integrate what arises.

  • Yes. Liz offers private coaching and energy medicine sessions for individuals and couples seeking personalized transformation. These can be integrated into your retreat stay or scheduled separately, either in Kauai or virtually.

Mahina Kai Welcomes You.

Whether you’re here to rest, to reconnect, or to radically shift your inner landscape—it’s time to get started.

BOOK TO STAY →
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