Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 6, 1 June 2007 — FATHERS STILL SERVE A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ʻOHANA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FATHERS STILL SERVE A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ʻOHANA

June is the month in whieh we pause to honor our mākua kāne. Fathers, grandfathers and other male figures serving as the head of the family will be honored on Father's Day, lune 17. Special meals will be served, and gifts and cards given to convey aloha to dads, kūpuna and kāne. Some will take fond memories, flowers and lei to cemeteries to convey enduring aloha for their mākua kāne. Traditionally, huge kuleana rested with the Hawaiian mākua kāne. It was his kuleana to assure the survival, safety and comfort of his family, as well

as the training of his children. The kāne built all the hale in the family compound, he planted and worked the fields, fished and hunted, and he protected his wife, children and home. The kāne made all the tools required for farming, fishing and recreation. Fortunately, 'ohana lived in close proximity so, when it was needed, kōkua eame from the fathers, brothers, uncles and male cousins. The 'ai kapu, decreed by Wākea, gave the kāne other kuleana. Mākua kāne prepared and cooked food for his family, tending to two imu: one with food for women and another imu for men. When the food for the women and children was cooked, the kāne pounded the kalo into poi and presented the food to his family. Then, he served food to

the kāne of the family. The 'ai kapu held that only kāne could plant, tend and touch kalo until it was cooked. Customarily, the kāne pounded the kalo into poi. The 'ai kapu decreed that the kāne of the 'ohana should eat separately from wāhine. Family kāne gathered together to eat, give thanks and ask the gods for bountiful crops and good fishing. Importantly, kāne talked with other kāne and learned about their kuleana. Kāne also worked on their skills of oratory and discussed other family concerns. Life has changed drastically for our kāne in the last 300 hundred years. 01der kāne have fading memories of their traditional kuleana, taught by their kūpuna. Younger mākua kāne have learned new ways

and behaviors. The traditional subsistence lifestyle no longer exists. Today, families live in single-family homes built by others and are surrounded by the homes of strangers. Families depend on outsiders to produce necessities and kāne work outside of the home to pay for it all. Our kāne work in every profession and business. It is especially exciting to know that Hawaiian-owned businesses are growing in numbers. And, there are increasing numbers of kāne skilled in Western medicine, law, education, sciences and technology. Another tangible trend is the increasing number of kāne involved in the renaissance of traditional endeavors, such as celestial navigation, mele and arts, lua, language, oratory and chanting. Modern mākua kāne maintain some traditional kuleana. The kuleana of assuring the survival, safety and comfort of

his family remains with the mākua kāne. However, in plaee of the 'ohana that traditionally surrounded the kāne, his wife now works in tandem with him to build strong and productive families. Celebrating June's national day that recognizes fathers is pono. Demonstrating aloha for them every single day is appropriate, as well. Consider creating opportunities to keep your mākua kāne healthy all year. Invite him to exercise with you and take him on long walks or runs. Make sure his daily meals include at least five or more servings of vegetables and fruit, that he drinks about eight glasses of water every day and that he gets a medical eheekup onee a year. If he smokes, help him quit. Our mākua kāne are very precious and more vulnerable than most would like to admit. Let's keep our mākua kāne healthy and happy for the entire year. E3

MO'OMEHEU • CULĪURE

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