MAUI and the Five Elements – An Integrative Retreat with Mother Nature

August 5 - 15, 2021
Maui Eco Retreat Haiku,
+ Hana, Paia, Lahaina, Kaanapali
Join Cross Cultural Journeys and Five Elements Constellations for a deeply restorative retreat in the magical Hawaiian island of Maui.
With a guided focus on the Chinese Five Elements , the physical body and our connection with Mother Nature, this mostly outdoors experience includes daily healing circles, meditation, yoga, fire ceremonies, swimming and nutritious locally prepared meals.
During this deeply immersive nature based retreat, situated at the Maui Eco Retreat on Maui's Northeast coast, we will explore these 5 Elements through a method known as Systemic Constellations. This inner road map is a gentle reminder of our unique energetic and physiological system and its functions.
The Chinese system of Five Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood) has been used for thousands of years as a device for observing dynamics, interactions, and relationships between phenomena.
Five Elements Constellations helps us see that we are not separate from Nature, and provide an inclusive lens to look at phenomena that can throw our life out of balance, including family, spiritual, environmental, diurnal, astrological, and physical impacts.
The experience will also feature several nature hikes to water falls, swimming and immersion on your own in the beautiful elements of Maui. The journey will take us on a few cultural and culinary visits to Hana, Lahaina and Paia.
We will be in Summer with the FIRE element, and end the journey on West Maui's Kaanapali beaches for a couple of days of fun in the sun.

5 Element Constellations Journey Guide:
John Cheney has been involved with Family Systems Constellations for the past 21 years and has developed his facilitation of 5 Elements Constellations over the past 16 years. Based in Seattle, WA, he offers individual and group Five Element Constellation Circles out of his home. During the pandemic, like many facilitators in this field, Cheney has taken his offerings online. With a worldwide audience, his systemic constellation teachers include Dietrich Weth, Sneh Schnabel, Johannes Schmidt, Albrecht Mahr, Stephan Hausner, Anngwyn St Just, Mark Johnson and Francesca Mason Boring.
AUGUST 5 - 15, 2021
PRICE: TBD
* exclusive of lodging at Maui Eco retreat
** lodging included in West Maui
To reserve your spot for this one-of-a-kind retreat, please follow these steps:
- Please pay a deposit of $750 / pp directly to CCJ by clicking here
- Please book your lodging separately and directly with Maui Eco Retreat by clicking on this link (space for this particular retreat is limited to 12, so don't delay!). MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE "CCJ Retreat" in your notes.
- Cross Cultural Journeys will contact you regarding hotel in West Maui, August 13 and 14. Property still TBD.
Journey Details
ACCESSIBILITY and ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate. This journey involves nature walks on uneven and sometimes steep surfaces. Concessions will be made to try and assist travelers who need more time. Some sites and locations are only accessible by foot.
NOTE: As always, this itinerary is subject to change to take advantage of the serendipity of the moment..... to meet someone special, to engage in an activity that might occur unexpectedly, or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control. Weather dependent, restaurants and off-site excursions may change at the last minute in similar category.
INCLUDED: Daily breakfasts at Maui Eco Retreat; meals marked on itinerary below (B, L, D). facilitated Five Elements Constellation Circles in nature (5), local hosts' ceremonies and concert(s), transportation to site visits to Hana, Lahaina, Paia. Lodging for West Maui extension, One CCJ trip manager; journey preparation materials.
NOT INCLUDED: Air travel to Maui; lodging at Maui Eco Retreat (book separately August 5 - 13 here); alcoholic drinks; meals not on itinerary. Excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guides and drivers (optional, yet customary); travel cancellation and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended, information will be sent upon registration).
TRAVEL PROTECTION: For more information on the available plans or to enroll, please contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 47-0272. Please advise Travelex that Cross Cultural Journeys is the travel company for this trip.
Journey Leaders: | Cilla Utne, Cross Cultural Journeys |
John Cheney, 5 Elements Constellations | |
Local Hosts | Kutira Decosterd and Raphael, Maui Eco Retreat |
Cities | Haiku, Hana, Paia, Lahaina, Kaanapali |
Day 1 | August 5 |
Kuhului/Paia/Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
Flight from home > Kuhului, Maui | |
Arrive in Maui early afternoon | |
Transportation to Maui Eco Retreat with stop in Kuhului and Paia for visit to local grocery stores | |
Arrive Maui Eco-retreat, check in to your rooms | |
Late afternoon/evening walking tour of property with hosts Kutira and Raphael | |
7:00 PM | Welcome dinner at Maui Eco Retreat |
(D) | |
Day 2 | August 6 |
Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | Sacred Site Ritual with Kutira |
1:00 PM | Shared lunch on the property |
2:00 PM | THE EARTH ELEMENT: outdoors constellation circle with John Cheney |
5:00 PM | Free evening to explore the property and surrounding area |
Dinner on own (cook your own in the kitchen, or drive yourself to a nearby eatery) | |
(B/L included) | |
Day 3 | August 7 |
Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | Greeting our Ancestors: Introduction to Family Systems Constellations with Cilla Utne |
1:00 PM | Shared lunch on the property |
2:00 PM | THE METAL ELEMENT: outdoors constellation circle with John Cheney |
5:00 PM | Evening concert with Raphael |
7:00 PM | Dinner on own (cook your own in the kitchen, or drive yourself to a nearby eatery) |
(B,L included) | |
DAY 4 | August 8 |
Haiku / Hana | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | THE WATER ELEMENT: outdoors constellation circle with John Cheney |
1:00 PM | Afternoon departure for Hana (waterfalls, coastal mountain views, lush Hawaiian rainforest). Snack lunch en route. |
Arrive Hana. Explore Hana on your own | |
Dinner out in Hana | |
Reutrn to Maui Eco Retreat | |
(B/L/D included) | |
DAY 5 | August 9 |
Haiku / Paia | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | THE WOOD ELEMENT: outdoors constellation circle with John Cheney |
1:00 PM | Lunch in Paia on your own |
2:00 PM | Visit Mana Food Coop to purchase ingredients for cooking class |
3:00 PM | Return to Maui Eco Retreat for a Culinary / Cooking Experience |
7:00 | Dinner with our local chef, and our hosts Kutira and Raphael |
(B/D included) | |
DAY 6 | August 10 |
Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | Family Systems Constellations and 5 Elements Constellations: outdoors constellation circle with Cilla Utne and John Cheney |
1:00 PM | Shared lunch on the property |
2:00 PM | Free afternoon to explore on your own (spa, beaches, zip linining, hiking, etc.) |
7:00 PM | Dinner on own (cook your own in the kitchen, or drive yourself to a nearby eatery). |
Ouiet evening to integrate | |
(B/L included) | |
DAY 7 | August 11 |
Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | Depart for daytrip to West Maui: Road to Honolua – Maui’s Coastal Treasures Tour |
1:00 PM | Snack lunch included in tour |
5:00 PM | Return to Maui Eco Retreat |
7:00 | Dinner on own (cook your own in the kitchen, or drive yourself to a nearby eatery). |
(B/L included) | |
DAY 8 | August 12 |
Haiku | Maui Eco Retreat |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | THE FIRE ELEMENT: outdoors constellation circle with John Cheney |
1:00 PM | Lunch break on your own |
3:00 PM | Fire ceremony with local hosts Kutira and Raphael |
5:00 PM | Free evening to explore the property and surrounding area |
7:00 PM | Dinner on your own |
(B included) | |
DAY 9 | August 13 |
Haiku/Kaanapali | Kaanapali Hotel (TBD) |
7:30 - 8:30 | Shared breakfast in the sunroom/patio/gardens |
9:00 AM | Morning departure to the beaches of Kaanapali in West Maui |
Stroll along the Kaanapali boardwalk to explore the restorative dune project and sustainable beach management | |
1:00 PM | Lunch at Duke's beach restaurant |
Check in to our hotel | |
2:30 PM | Afternoon on the beach |
Evening Ulalena Show in Lahaina | |
Dinner on your own | |
(B/L included) | |
DAY 10 | August 14 |
Kaanapali | Kaanapali Hotel (TBD) |
7:30 - 8:30 | Breakfast at the hotel |
9:00 AM | Depart for Lahaina and day trip to Lanai for Whale Watching |
Lunch included in tour | |
Farewell dinner at local restaurant (TBD) | |
(B,L,D included) | |
DAY 11 | August 15 |
Kaanapali | > Home |
Breakfast at the hotel | |
Depart for the airport for our flights back home | |
(B included) | |
August 5 - 15, 2021
Maui Eco Retreat Haiku,
+ Hana, Paia, Lahaina, Kaanapali