Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 5, 1 May 2005 — The health of our nation is dependent on the health of our wāhine [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The health of our nation is dependent on the health of our wāhine

Aloha mai kākou. The month of May is upon us, and I'd like to take this opportunity to honor and recognize all our mothers on Sun. May 8, 2005, as we celebrate Mother's Day. Without sounding like a Hallmark card or debating on whose mom is the best, this special day gives eaeh of us an opportunity to think about all the wonderful things our mothers have done for us. Love and appreciation for our moms is something we share throughout the year. For those whose moms have passed on, we have memories that will last us a lifetime; think about sharing some of those memories with family and friends every now and then - it'll bring a smile and maybe some tears to remember special "mom moments." May 8-14 is National Women's Health Week, and in particular May 9 is National Women's Check-up Day. The Hawai'i State Department of Health reminds us that, "one of

the most important steps a woman ean take for better health is to get regular check-ups. Ask your health care provider about screenings for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and sexually transmitted diseases." As an avid health advocate, I urge you to take this opportunity to be conscientious of your health and well-being, and to take charge of your body by having it checked out by your health care provider. There is no time to be shame or too busy; your health determines your future. No health, no future! No matter what age bracket you fall into, mākua to kūpuna, you need to be aware of your physical and mental condition, be it good, bad or ugly. There are many diseases out there just waiting to stomp all over us, but if we ean prevent or control our health situations by learning and maintaining healthier lifestyles we will contribute to a stronger and greater population of Hawaiians.

The role of the wāhine in Hawaiian history is awesome. From Pele and Hi'iaka to Queen Lili'uokalani, our Hawaiian women have made their mark and many more Hawaiian women today will continue to make history as we move forward. In respect to today's wāhine, generally they're quite knowledgeable about healthier lifestyles, but you probably know a few women who fall into the following category: they harp on their husbands or boyfriends or significant others, kids and family members to go to the doctor when they are feeling "under the weather," but hardly follow the same rule themselves. These same women provide healthy meals and snacks for their family but usually not for themselves. It's puzzling, but many of us have known women who for years have put their personal needs behind the needs of others even though they generally live longer

than men. The upshot is: we men should pay more attention to our loved ones (women's) admonitions to stay well - and pay more attention to their personal health needs, too! That way men and women will enjoy longer and healthier lives! So, whether we are male or female, eaeh of us needs to keep track of our health. To build a Hawaiian nation we need strong and healthy Hawaiians. Finally today, tell 10 Hawaiian women how important they are to you and the future of our Hawaiian nation. As always, my staff and I invite your comments on the above or any other concerns within our purview. My OHA access numbers are: phone 594-1854, fax 594-0210 and e-mail address - dantec@oha.org. A hui hou, mālama pono.

[?]

I 8 Dante Carpenter

Trustee, O'ahu