Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 5, 1 May 2011 — Look to the ancestors for answers [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Look to the ancestors for answers

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

Our Hawaiian ancestors held important keys to health that we barely recognize today. The traditional practices of lomilomi, family prayer, ho'oponopono and timely treatment of illnesses with traditional herbs were vital keys to their good heahh. Other equally important factors to heahh were a very high daily output of physical exercise in fanning, fishing, eanoe building and tapa making, as well as consuming the traditional Hawaiian food (diet). This simple diet included fresh spring

water, food raised at home or harvested from the reefs, as well as fish caught in the pristine Pacific Oeean. This traditional Hawaiian diet is ideal to help prevent chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and being overweight. Modern science has discovered that dark, leafy greens, like lū'au, palula and pōpolo are rich in the nutrients that strengthen our immune systems and ward off all illnesses, including chronic conditions. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits daily, similar to our ancestors' diet, will result in a high intake of fiber and vitamins A and C. Broccoli, spinach, watercress, carrots, cauliflower, squash, all cabbages, papaya, mango, banana and guava, ean all be eaten raw or minimally cooked for the highest concentrations of protective nutrients. These simple rules ean help fight chronic illnesses: • Eat a low-fat diet, by cooking the

traditional way, steaming, baking and roasting - and eating more fish and skinless ehieken and less canned and fatty meat. • Eat foods high in fiber, like leafy greens, kalo, potato, cooked dried beans and whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat products. • Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits and grains, at least five 1/2-eup servings eaeh day. • Findsomesortofenjoyablephysical exercise to perform regularly, like walking, swimming, biking, walking the dog or working in the yard. Our ancestors did not indulge in fried foods, tobacco or aleohol, and we would do well to follow their example. Implement these lifestyle changes bit by bit. Walk stairs instead of taking the elevator; park a little farther away from the store and

walk a few extra steps; add one serving of vegetables every day for a week; then, add two servings the following week. These are simple steps on the way to good heahh. Before you know it, you'll be able to feel and see rewarding changes in your body and you will want to stay on this path to good heahh. In old Hawai'i, family connections and kū'auhau (genealogy) were important. And, it was the custom for fond embraces and wailing to greet long-absent relatives. Traditional wailing told of family relationships, of departed loved ones, as well as portions of ancient poetry. Mrs. Pukui shared about encountering an elder working in his garden in Kiolaka'a, near the birthplace of her grandparents and mother. Stooped and leaning upon a eane, the elder led her on a tour of his garden. When the elder discovered they were 'ohana, the man began wailing in poetical terms about their family and the hills, beaches, legendary spots, rocks and ancient warriors of their homeland. Mrs. Pukui lamented not having a recorder. Sadly, this wailing custom is heard no more. Protect your 'ohana and your part of Hawai'i's history. ■

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