Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 6, 1 May 2008 — Oki kilohana ka pali o Waialoha [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Oki kilohana ka pali o Waialoha

In old Hawai'i, developing strong, well-aligned bodies was not left to ehanee. After all, in the days before machinery, Hawaiian bodies were expected to perform great physical work for many hours every day. A wellaligned skeletal structure reduces muscle stress and the potential for injury whether lifting or pushing heavy objects, bending to tend the lo'i, or digging with an 'ō'ō. Traditionally, developing the body's skeletal alignment and smooth, long muscles began soon after birth for Hawaiian infants. Kūpuna gently massaged them, working to straighten and strengthen limbs, as well as to encourage desired features. Strong back and leg muscles provided the power to do daily work and assured modesty when wearing a malo. Hard physical work and the traditional Hawaiian diet kept Hawaiian bodies fit throughout life.

Hawaiian descriptions of beauty related to body attributes that they worked so hard to achieve. An 'Ōlelo No'eau that describes handsomeness or beauty says, "oki kilohana ka pali o Waialoha," in English it's, "straight and tall is the cliff of Waialoha." This saying adnūres a tall person with a straight back. A sinūlar proverb, " 'a'ohe pu'u, 'a'ohe ke'e," in English says, "no humps and no bends," and speaks of a person with excellent posture and smooth long muscles. Later, kūpuna and makua continued to teach children about proper posture and physical movement. I have clear memories of being told repeatedly to piek my feet up when walking, to sit up straight, to hold my shoulders back and to not sit on my legs. Others remember kūpuna working on their fingers to assure beautifully tapered, long fingers for hula. Developing strong bodies with muscle strength and enduranee was a conscious tradition in old Hawai'i. Kawena Puku'i wrote about body molding by early Hawaiians. She reported that Hawaiians even

molded their son's heads to resemble the head shape of their ali'i as a demonstration of love and adnūration for their chief. Hawaiians found flat noses, protruding ears and flat heads unattractive, so kūpuna and makua massaged the bridge of their infant's nose to raise it, ears were massaged to keep them close to the head, babies were not left lying on their backs to protect development of their heads, and eyes were massaged to encourage large, round eyes. Hawai'i's frrst Western visitors left written compliments about the Hawaiian stature, graceful movements and strength, in obvious admiration. Modern day Hawaiians have changed. Hawaiian bodies no longer perform physical work eaeh day, as our ancestors did. And it is rare to find kūpuna and makua who massage and mold their keiki's bodies. It seems that posture and body movement among Hawaiian youth, today, are more influenced by their peers television or media aesthetics. Today, organized athletics ean help our youth achieve some of the traditionally desired physical attributes. Hawaiian mar-

tial-arts training retains cultural practices. 'Ōlohe lua still insist on proper body aligmnent and striking stances during training. The 'ōlohe teach that good posture and body alignment will result in fewer aches and pains while developing muscle strength and endurance. And, after training sessions, time is taken to massage and realign bodies. Extra pounds and obesity was

not an issue in old Hawai'i, however, it is a real and very significant problem for Hawaiians today. Lower physical fitness and hasty food choices contribute to increasing weight and chronic heahh eonditions. Often these heahh conditions ean be remedied by increasing exercise, watching what you eat and losing weight. Ask your doctor if unproved fitness ean replace or reduce your medicines. I

OLAKINO - Y0UR HEALĪH

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

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