Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1999 — Precious and treasured keiki [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Precious and treasured keiki

He hi'ialo, ua milimili 'ia i ke alo, ua ha'awe 'ia i ke kua, ua lei 'ia i ka Vi

A beloved , fondled in the arms, borne on the back, whose arms circle the neek as a lei

By Claire Hughes Dept. of Health ĪHIS SAYING describes a favorite and treasured child and exemplifies the value Hawaiian families placed on young ehildren. Numerous sayings ean be found in the collections of Mary Kawena Pūku'i, describing Hawaiian thought and life in regards to ehildren. An early visitor to Hawai'i said Hawaiian ehildren took their roles as ehildren seriously. He saw ehildren happily playing together and observed how older ehil-

dren tended to the needs of the younger ones with great care. The responsibility of caring for their younger siblings was taken seriously by the older ones. Such was the practice in Hawaiian households. The following mo'olelo about Kamehameha and kalo greens shows just how eapable children were as caretakers. This story is not about Kamehameha I, the warrior, but of Kamehameha, son of Kekaulike, ruler of Maui. One day when Kamehameha's personal attendant had to be gone for the day, he left the child in the care of his two young sons. Kalo greens were prepared and cooked for the royal child, because they were tender and easy to swallow. Kekaulike arrived unexpectedly and was displeased to see that only lū'au was being fed to his son.

The caretaker's sons did not recognize Kekaulike. When they were asked about the food, the boys explained that this was a very precious child, and lū'au did not have the bones that could lodge in the child's throat. Kekaulike was pleased. The little chief, who was raised on Moloka'i, became known as Kamehamehanui'ailū'au, Great Kamehamehat, eater of kalo greens. The growth of the child was important to Hawaiians. We know that the ali'i valued great height in their offspring and took great care in their feeding. The child's diet was carefully watched to assure the best possible growth of the infant. Today, medical science has determined very specific growth phases in an infant's development. Brain development is rapid in the first months of

life. During that period, cells divide at a highly accelerated rate, forming large numbers of brain cells. If we are astounded by an infant's rapid physical growth, the brain development occurs at an even faster paee. Īhe growth periods represent the increase in bone structure, an increase in the size of the internal organs, the lymph system and other systems. Rapid growth requires many ealories, whieh the early Hawaiian children got from poi, greens and other vegetables. Proteins eame from mother's milk and from a small amount of fish. Both mother's milk and fish provided the protein and fat required to assure good brain development. The wisdom of these ancient Hawaiian cultural

practices is just as valuable today - it protects children from harm and assures proper development. What are these values? Mother's milk, supplemented by the right foods for eaeh developmental phase; sufficient exercise; sleep; mental stimulation; family responsibility. Our ancestors strictly forbade hitting children on the head. Beating and spanking was unheard of as children were carefully taught what was expected of them and were guided by older children to live up to family expectations. ■ Editor's note: Pictured above left to right are Alexis Panoneillo, Ethan Hiwkawa and Keola Panoneillo, respectively the daughter, nephew and son of Francine Murray ofOHA's Administrative Services Office.

iiiiMn PHOĪO COURTESY: FRANCINE MURRAV

On Oct. 1, more than 100 kūpuna from across the state gathered at the Royal Kona Resort for OHA's 12th annual 'Aha Kupuna Conference. Kūpuna listened to various speakers and watched several videos over this two-day event. Aunty Betty Jenkins led the elders through several workshops on hula, arts, crafts and other traditional themes. The next 'Aha Kupuna is planned for the fall on Oahu. For information eall 594-1920. ■ PHOTO: JAYSON HARPER