Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 10, 1 October 2001 — Health of body, mind and spirit a high priority among aliʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Health of body, mind and spirit a high priority among aliʻi

By Claire Hughes, Dr.P.H.,R.D. Department of Healih

Our Hawaiian ali'i were extraordinary. Recently, Queen Lili'uokalani's 163rd birthday was commemorated with celebrations that memorialized her greatness,

generosity and legacy. Queen Lili'uokalani possessed the wisdom and strength of a brave and strong ruler. She also

had the softness of an accomplished, talented and prolific musician and poet, who wrote beautiful

lyrics for her compositions. Her music is one of her enduring gifts that provides clear insight into her heart and soul. The beauty of her surroundings, memories, friends and 'ohana, all served M as inspiration for her music.

Her thoughts and actions were directed first | and foremost at protecting those who served and were loyal to her, especially during the tumultuous days of the overthrow. In this spirit, Queen Lili'uokalani bequeathed her lands to benefit Hawaiian children who are orphaned or in dire eeonomie straits. The Queen Lili'uokalani Trust and Children's Center offers assistance and many enrichment programs to Hawaiian children their families, and communities.

Queen Lili'uokalani and other Hawaiian ali'i left their weahh in gifts that endure, even after death, for Hawaiians who are most in need. Other rulers around the world perpetuate family weahh. Our ali'i bequeathed property to assure that particular needs of the Hawaiians would continue to be served for hundreds of years. Many of these ali'i legacies are concerned with the heahh care of modern Hawaiians. Queen Emma and her husband, Alexander Liholiho, Kamehameha IV, raised the funds needed to build the Queen's Hospital, now Queen's Medical Center. The hospital was chartered for "the relief of sick and destitute Hawaiians," because Hawaiians of that time succumbed in large numbers to the eommunieahle diseases that were introduced to the islands.

Soon after William Lunalilo became ruler of the Hawaiian kingdom, he created the Lunalilo Trust that directed the creation of building(s) on O'ahu of iron, stone, brick and fireproof material for the accommodation of poor, destitute and infirm Hawaiians, giving preference to old people. King Lunalilo left

property in Makiki to generate support for elder care for Hawaiians. Today, the Lunalilo Home is located at Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai).

At times, the ali'i acted jointly. David Kalākaua and members of his royal family established an organization that founded Kapi'olani Home in 1890 to provide women with proper health care and treatment before and during childbirth. The princes David Kawānanakoa and Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole deeded the property upon whieh the facility sat, to the home for one dollar. Later, Queen Kapi'olani bequeathed money to support the Home. In 1984, Kapi'olani Hospital and the Kauikeōlani Children's Hospital merged to form the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children.

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop bequeathed property to benefit the education and well-being of Hawaiian children. Although education is the primary gift, this institution provides and assures the healthy development of

Hawaiian children. The Kamehameha Schools is growing, with neighbor island campuses being established that offer educational opportunities to Hawaiian children on their home island. The highly visible generosity and lega-

f cies ot the Hawanan ali ī are vast. Hundreds of years after the gifts were given, they provide heahh care and services to many Hawaiian children, adults and families. Beyond the actual benefits, our ali'i still

serve as examples of tremendous caring; their generosity of spirit is unequaled throughout the world. Their weahh and property were not intended solely to benefit their immediate descendents and family, but to protect and assist all Hawaiians. How fortunate we are to be Hawaiians. ■

From top: Klng Lunalilo. founder of Lunalilo Home for the elderly; Princess Pauahl. founder of Kamehameha Schools for the education of Hawaiians; Queen Kapi'olani, founder of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children; and Queen Lill'uokalani, benefactor of the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center. Imag©s: Guavo Graphics; composite: Mlehael McDonald.

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