Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 1, 1 January 2015 — THE GIFT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE GIFT

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D. The gift arrived after Christmas. I thought ... should I do something frivolous and crazy with it, or should I give it to others to use, or should I do something useful with it? I know you have received a similar gift and, like me, have just hlown it! I thought, perhaps, if I approached it with a strategy, I could use it to benefit my family, me, you and your family. It certainly is generous enough. If I involved others . . . it could be even bigger and far better. My mākua and kūpuna always encouraged this. I must have heard it a zillion times by the time I was 2 1 . "You must live a "purposeful life." "Rely on yourself to make things happen," they'd say. Then, the "lecture" on spreading your gifts to help others. That was because they, and their forebears, did that. Have you guessed yet, what my special "gift" is? My gift is a brand new year! And, I am determined not to waste it, as eventually, there won't be any more. Let's agree, last year seemed far shorter than usual. "It just llew by." This happens, when there is no plan. And, isn't it absolutely exasperating to find time has passed . . . is gone, and nothing you wanted to do got done? Experts suggest that carefully planning ean put every moment to its best and fullest use. Our Hawaiian kūpuna planned everything. We may think that they were "happy-go-lucky." At least, that's what others say about Hawaiians. Way back in time, however, our kūpuna planned everything . . . the planting, fishing, building and special celebrations were all based on a master plan. Kāne of the 'ohana gathered and planned the crop, field and workers

to do planting or harvesting. Fishing, building or repairs around the kauhale were planned, the same way. Executing the plan went "seamlessly," as everyone knew their role . . . and, things got done without talking about it. That's how our ancestors achieved so mueh with a few workers. Mākua and kūpuna, take charge, plan the family events for 2015. Think about graduations, significant birthdays, holidays, school events . . . even weddings that will occur this year. Mark a 2015 calendar with all the "big" dates. Then, planning backward from the event date . . . mark the date for eomplehon of eaeh step in preparation for that event to be fully accomplished. Assign a "manager/ organizer" for eaeh event. Do this for eaeh event. Now you have a "significant events" calendar and a designated "manager" responsible for all 2015 events. Then, mākua or kūpuna, you are responsible for teaching the managers how to be responsible. Also, plan dates for big jobs around the house . . . like, repainting a room, mending a fence, updating the front entrance . . . you know, things that never seem to get done. Assign responsibility to the younger members of the 'ohana and then help them. At the end of 2015, you will have accomplished a lot, with a record of it, too. My wish, in 2015, for all Hawaiian families ... is a healthier year. So, plan for family health and commit to making one or two key changes . . . the ones your doctor has been suggesting. Put the "heahh plan" on your new 2015 calendar. Plan ways to eat healthier meals, like adding a fruit or vegetable to your meals. Plant a papaya tree, or two or three ... depending on family size, and add some 'uala and kalo. Not an entire patch, but enough to add fresh vegetables to a family meal, or two. Assure success, assign a grandchild the task of researching plant varieties that grow best in your community (see the UH Extension website, www. ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Extprograms. aspx). Look up the type of soil and fertilizer that will help. Planting just a few things won't require a huge SEE CLAIRE ON PAGE 19

yard. Homegrown food tastes best and adds many nutrients at little cost to family meals. We know the Hawaiian heahh issues. There are ways to assure a prolonged period of good health and way s to reduce severity of illnesses . . . if we heed the doctor's suggestions. Many heahh issues and complications are related to being overweight. Our Hawaiian ancestors were muscular and lean. The difference is, that in 2014, our lives and foods we eat are very different from the "fish and poi" diet in old Hawai'i. If we could use our "ancestral knowledge," eating like them ... we'd be healthier. We ean do better . . . select better, exercise better, sleep better. Come on, let's make 2015 healthier and use our gifts wisely. ■

CLAIRE Continued from page 10