Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 12, 1 December 2005 — Keiki should be rooted in cultural values [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Keiki should be rooted in cultural values

"Ile 'a 'ali 'i ku makani mai au; 'a'ohe makani nāna e kula'i I am a wind-resisting 'a'ali'i, no gale ean push me over. The roots of the 'a'ali'i plant grow deep, anchoring the flowering shrub to the earth. The 'a'ali'i's root system holds firmly to its source of nourishment; therefore, any strong wind that blows cannot uproot the 'a'ali'i. This 'ōlelo reminds us that, if our roots and self-identity are strong and firmly established, we ean withstand life's many challenges. On the other hand, if our roots are shallow, we may be unable to face and overcome the ehallenges. An individual's self-identity begins developing soon after birth. Surrounded by loving 'ohana, an infant is nourished and learns that someone there will always protect and provide for him. Traditionally, Hawaiian ehildren were raised in a family-cen-tered environment, with parents, grandparents guiding healthy development and nurturing the

keiki with cultural values and practices. As the child became more independent, older siblings and children in the 'ohana assumed a role in the care of little ones. 01der children modeled appropriate behaviors, taught simple lessons and protected the young child. Elders guided the keiki, taught family traditions and assured lessons were learned well. Gradually, the child's sense of self, his sense of plaee and his role in the 'ohana became clearly defined. 01der children learned more complex and physically demanding work, like planting and weeding the lo'i and clearing the 'auwai. Such tedious, hard work was essential for the family's survival and helped impart cultural values like respect for hard work and a purposeful life. The child's skill and mastery of tasks were assured by an elder kahu (guardian). The child's self-identity, skills, abilities and value to the family and eommunity were developed during these lessons. Today, a new paradigm for socialization and learning creates huge challenges for development of self-image for our children. Most of our keiki are now of mixed ethnicities, and they are raised in diverse, multicultural environments.

Roles have shifted. The role of parents and grandparents as educators has diminished, with instruction now taking plaee in classrooms amid children and teachers from diverse backgrounds. And our children are exposed to an incredible amount of information from the media, such as television, video and movies. Changes in societal roles and exposure to media without guidance and discernment by elders pose a problem. Many challenges and behaviors that are not pono confront our children, such as smoking, not exercising, and eating and drinking to an excess. These harmful habits may create significant lifetime health challenges. Children who are strongly rooted, like the 'a'ali'i, ean withstand many of life's challenges. Our children need to learn their family history, so they ean

develop strong family and eultural roots. Adults who model appropriate and acceptable behaviors will help youngsters identify and develop ways that are pono. Building pride in community begins with taking care of our own yards and home. Exposure to cultural activities such as hula, language, woodcarving, weaving and planting are modern ways to learn some expectations and essence of the culture. While progression and integration of various cultural traditions is inevitable, preserving some of the uniqueness of the Hawaiian identity is also crucial. Assuring a healthy self-image for children eontinues to reside in the strength and hearts of Hawaiian families. Let's help our children become like the 'a'ali'i, with the ability to face the storm of challenges yet remain strongly rooted. E3

families regularly ^engage in eultural practices | Hawaiian famidren under age five rely on family for childcare. ^ of Hawaiian families with ^young children have grandparents living in the home, compared with the state average of 29%. In nearly one-third of such households, grandparents served as caregivers for their young grandchildren. of marriedeouple Hawaiian LTfamilies have both parents working - eompared to the state average of 57%. Source: Kamehameha Schools' Ka Huaka'i report, available online at www.ksbe. edu/pase/KaHuakai.php. Information provided courtesy ofPapa 01 a Lōkahi Native Hawaiian heahh initiative, www.papaolalokahi.org.

OLAKINO • Y0UR HEALĪH -

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.

With increasing influences coming from outside of the 'ohana, keiki need to learn their family histories and cultural traditions. - Pholo: KW0Atchive