Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 9, 1 September 2004 — Kūpuna bridge generations [ARTICLE]

Kūpuna bridge generations

Grandparents, through the generations, have generally played an important role in society. As older relatives, grandparents often serve as teachers, friends and beacons in a child's life. When I was young, my father's mother was a role model in my 'childhood life.' Grandma spoke Hawaiian and broken English, and she was a lauhala weaver. She taught me so mueh about values and love and a lot of the Hawaiian language. Prayer/religion, attending church was always a must. Growing up on an island where intergenerational interaction is very mueh valued and a viable part of the island lifestyle and tradition, I determined early on to do my very best to be one of the greatest grandmothers around. I wanted very mueh to be an important part of my grandchildren's lives. It used to be that many family members literally went "over the river and through the woods" to grandmother's house. With today's mohile society, that

scenario is rare. This doesn't mean, however, that families don't keep in touch, or interact with grandparents. Today, I have 17 grandchildren, ranging from five to 26, and nine great grandchildren. This brood includes biological, steps, and blends - very mueh a 21st eentury family - about a dozen nationalities through the family's various veins. I love every one of them as if they were my own. We gab, gallivant, goof around, give-and-get from one another often, even though we are separated by lots of miles. Through sharing, grandparents help subsequent generations to love, laugh, learn and live. They also help to pass on legends and lore of a family and society - mai hanauna i hanauna (from generation to generation). To God I give all the glory, honor and praise for the ability to write. Mahalo ke Akua. Maile Kinimaka Llhu'e, Kaua'i

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