LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department is aware of a group currently moving to Kaua‘i that residents have raised concerns about throughout the week.
However, KPD states there is no evidence of illegal activity.
Love Has Won, a religious nonprofit currently based out of Crestone, Colorado, is led by 44-year-old Amy Carlson, who arrived on Kaua‘i July 22. Over the course of the last month, Carlson, who goes by “Mother God,” has urged her followers to join her in Hawai‘i for a “portal to Lemuria,” of which she believes to have been the queen of in a past life.
KPD Chief Todd Raybuck acknowledged the community’s concerns, specifically regarding the group allegedly breaking the state-mandated 14-day quarantine.
“KPD is aware of the allegations involving the group and investigates all complaints regarding violations of the COVID quarantine requirements,” Raybuck said in a statement. “KPD appreciates the community’s on-going vigilance and reporting of COVID and quarantine violations.”
KPD cannot comment on any ongoing investigations, but did say the group’s activities have not escalated to a threatening level.
“We are not able to provide any further details on this group at this time,” a spokesperson for KPD said in a statement this week. “At this time, we do not have any evidence showing that they are doing anything more than practicing their own religious beliefs.”
“The partnership between KPD and our community has protected our island from widespread COVID infection rates seen in other communities. Together we will continue to make a difference,” Raybuck said.
But it’s not coronavirus threats residents are worried about.
“(I) feel so violated with them here,” North Shore resident Hoku Cabebe said in an email. “I’ve been on high alert while out now and have even spotted who I think to be members.” Cabebe advised proceeding with caution, “not knowing if you’re in danger just by going to the Hanalei Bay and being extra wary when you see shady people.”
In addition to hosting daily live streams sharing testimonials, Love Has Won also sells apparel, soaps, candles and over-the-phone healing sessions including “ascension sessions” and “etheric surgeries” to “prepare you entirely for the full Ascent to Divinity,” according to the group’s website.
On April 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to the Love Has Won associated group, Gaia’s Whole Healing Essentials, LLC, for “unapproved and misbranded products” including colloidal silver products which were advertised as effective COVID-19 treatments or preventions. This labeling has since been corrected.
The organization received a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization status in 2019, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
During a Facebook Live “Daily Event Energies Update” on Aug. 31, two members currently staying at the Kaua‘i Inn in Lihu‘e acknowledged community members calling quarantine violations on them.
“The trolls want to call on us that we’re breaking quarantine rules,” Ashley “Hope” Paluso said during the chat.
One member received a call during the live stream to check in on her quarantine.
“They called to check on us again,” member Lauryn Saurez said. “Literally told this lady, I’m like ‘You’re checking on us way too much, it’s actually irritating me.’”
Other members of the group, including Carlson, who have finished quarantine, are currently staying at a beach-front property in Wainiha.
During an August 20 YouTube video, Carlson sat on the beach, confirmed that the group will appear on a Dr. Phil episode later this month, as soon as Tuesday, and urged her followers to join her on Kaua‘i.
“I am calling everyone to Hawai‘i immediately,” she said.
Requests for comment from Love Has Won went unanswered.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
