Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 3, 1 March 2015 — Bishop Museum to offer series on traditional health practices [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Bishop Museum to offer series on traditional health practices

By Cheryl Corbiell The Bishop Museum program Traditions of the Pacific is unveiling a four-part lecture series about Hawaiian heahh, Hawaiian Perspectives of Health: From Birth to Death. Eaeh speaker looks to

the past for answers to the future. "This Hawaiian heahh series chronicles the best of Hawaiian cultural practices to eomplement western heahh practices from conception, pregnancy, birth, child-rearing and aging," said Mele Look, director of engagement at John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa. The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence, Department of Native Hawaiian Heahh at the

John A. Burns School of Medicine and Bishop Museumare cosponsoring the lecture series. The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence is eommitted to the heahh and wellness of Hawai'i's Native Hawaiian people, their families and eommunities that embrace traditional Hawaiian values

and practices. The first lecture, Traditional Hawaiian Practices of Hāpai and Hānau, describes the traditional approaches to pregnancy and childbirth. Two Native Hawaiian cultural and elinieal practitioners, Kaiulani Odom and Puni Jackson, will describe how modern families ean incorporate cultural practices into the birth experience. The presenters are from Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, whieh has a holistic and culturally based women's heahh nroeram. includine an

array of physical and spiritual approaches to ensure heahh for child, mother and family. Kōkua Kalihi Valley was one of seven Nahonal Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Heahh in the nation from 2002-2005. The second lecture, Huaka'i: Birthstones of Kūkaniloko, is a site visit to the geographic piko of O'ahu. Kūkaniloko Birthstones State Historic

Site is located on the north side of Wahiawā. Kūkaniloko is symbolic of the piko or navel cord representing birth. This significant cultural site was one the most powerful ali'i birth sites because of its spiritual power. Only ali'i were allowed to set foot on the grounds. Wahiawā means plaee of rumbling. Legends mention Wahiawā is where thunderstorms were the voices of the ancestral gods, and they welcomed an offspring of ali'i rank. Today the Wahiawā Hawaiian Civic Club serves as the steward for this ancient cultural site. Long-term caretaker Kahu Thomas Lenehanko will share the site's traditions, legends and history of the land and the pōhaku, or stones. The third heahh lecture, Traditions

and Insights in Native Hawaiian ChildRearing Practices, focuses on raising a healthy Hawaiian child. Pediatrician Carol Titcomb has practiced family medicine in Wai'anae, Waimānalo and Papakōlea. As part of a research fellowship at the UIJ School of Medicine's Department of Native Hawaiian Heahh, she conducted a study involving kūpuna to document recollections of child-rearing practices. Dr. Titcomb will explain how to nurture children in today's challenging lifestyle and instill Hawaiian values and traditions for the future. The hnale, Hawaiian Beliefs and Perspectives of Aging, focuses on Hawai'i's respected kūpuna. Retired Kahu David Kaupu of Kaumakapili Church, reveals Hawaiian views of

how kūpuna attained respect and longevity and were the source of experience, knowledge, guidance, strength and inspiration for the next generation. Kahu Kaupu is the coordinator of Hawaiian Ministry for the Council of Hawaiian Congregational Churches and conducts classes using the Hawaiian Bible to teach congregation members both Christianity and 'ōlelo Hawai'i. The Hawaiian Perspectives of Heahh: From Birth to Death lecture series offers a cultural nersnective about

heahh and an opportunity to learn about the past in order to prepare for the future. "Traditional insight is important as we search for ways to improve the heahh of Hawaiians," said Look. ■ Chervl Corhiell is an instructor at the University ofHawai'i Maui. College-Moloka'i. and coordi.nator for TeenACE and ACE Readi.ng programs.

Lecture series Hawaiian Perspectives of Health: From Birth to Death is a monthly series starting in March anel running through June. Admission is $10, and free for museum members. Seating is limited and reservations are required bycalling (808) 847-8280 orsigning up online at bishopmuseum.org. Lecture 1: Traditional Hawaiian Practices of Hāpai and Hānau Presenters: Kaiulani 0dom and Puni Jackson When: Thursday, March 5, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Atherton Hālau, Bishop Museum Lecture 2: Site Visit Huaka'i - Birthstones of Kūkaniloko Presenter: Kahu Thomas Lenehanko When: Saturday, April 18, 9-11 a.m. Where: Kūkaniloko Birthstones State Historic Site Lecture 3: Traditions & lnsights in Native Hawaiian Child-Rearing Practices Presenter: Carol Titcomb, M.D. When: Thursday, May 21, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Atherton Hālau, Bishop Museum Lecture 4: Hawaiian Beliefs & Perspectives of Aging Presenters: Kahu emeritus David K. Kaupu When: Thursday, June 18, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Atherton Hālau, Bishop Museum

HEALĪH

www.oha.org/kwo | kwo@OHA.org NATIVE HAWAIIAN » NEWS | FEATURES | EVENTS

The lecture series will focus on traditional Hawaiian beliefs and practices ranging from pregnancy to aging. - lmages from Bishop Museum Archives, Honolulu, Hawai'i

A woman carries a young child on her back. Raising a healthy Hawaiian child will be the focus of the third lecture, on May 21 .