Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 7, 1 July 2016 — Accept the Challenge... [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Accept the Challenge...

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D. The news article caught my eye. Its topic was one that we and our friends, families, workmates, as well as the media, discuss several times a week. Usually, it's a new diagnosis or operation, but sometimes it's about losing someone . . . to cancer. We lament the news with genuine eoneem and sadness. But, what is there to do? The information in this article comes from the highly respected Joumal of Ameriean Medical Association Oncology (cancer). It reported on the "four

keys to countering (beating) cancer." The keys are: 1) quit smoking, 2) cut haekon drinking (aleohol), 3) maintain a healthful weight and 4) get 150 minutes of exercise eaeh week. In this eolumn, we always include a fifth key and that is to eat more vegetables and fruit daily for their cancer-fighting nutrients. So, why don't more of us heed this message? Cancer is an illness that we must all try to prevent - every day. The "keys" are simple enough, except for the smoking one. The only "quit" in the list is smoking. Even smokers know the very high risk for them and their loved ones related to cancer. So, what is it that keeps us frommaking changes? Most of us ean do it, as changing a habit takes some effort and attention. The first step is to recognize your personal risk(s). That is, do you smoke? Do you consume aleohol, are you overweight and do you

exercise? Then, agree with yourself on steps you will take to lower or eliminate the risk. Make a short list of the steps you commit to take. Leam about writing small notes to yourself and putting them wherever you will see or read these promises to yourself, several times a day. Put a note on the bathroom mirror

to read while brushing your teeth, or shaving, or doing your hair. Put notes on the fridge and pantry doors. Put notes in your wallet, on your desk, your calendar, phone, and the house or car keys to remind yourself, many times a day, of your promises. Take on the

four keys, plus one (eating vegetables and fruit) . . . one at a time. I ean attest that this method works and you ean be successful. Habits develop over time, but they ean be changed with a little time, determination and effort. Mary Kawena Pukui wrote in "Polynesian Family Systems In Ka'u, Hawai'i," "Rigorous eoneem

for soundness of body is a primary consideration throughout physical life, especially before and during infancy," (p.75). We descend from Hawaiian ancestors who learned not to squander or waste any resource. Before arriving in Hawai'i, these ancestors had traveled for hundreds of years, settling many communities and surviving in many places in the Paeihe. They were self-reliant and knew that paying attention to life and heahh everyday meant survival of the lāhui. They brought the foods and herbs that were important to good heahh to Hawai'i. They protected fresh water, planted crops, and fished the streams and oeean to feed their families. They worked hard, physically, every day. Our ancestors were lean, muscular and healthy. As descendants, we possess the same intelligence, determination, and strength to change habits that detract from our heahh. Take the challenge! Show "rigorous eoneem" for the soundness of y our body. E Ola MaueKaLāhui!B

OLAKINO Y0UR HEALTH

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