Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 1, 1 January 2004 — Makahiki time for strengthening body [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Makahiki time for strengthening body

He keiki mea kupuna The child has a grandparent He keiki mea makua The child has a parent We are now in the makahiki season. Polynesians devoted a significant amount of time to athletic sports, war games and hula throughout the year. However, the four months of makahiki were set aside especially for competitions to identify excellence. Boxing, grappling, bowling, ti-leaf sledding, stilt-walking, kite-flying and spinning of tops were just a few of the sports and games played. With lifting of the kapu during this period, competition among all levels of the community brought great excitement, enjoyment and exercise. Of all Polynesians, Hawaiians had the greatest passion for betting on the outcome of games. This practice further heightened the excitement of competition. Physical activity played a huge role in our ancestors' lives. For eight months, they toiled and labored in the fields, performing the difficult tasks required to sustain their lives. During makahiki season, the expenditure of physical energy was increased significantly in preparation for all sorts of

competitions. This physical lifestyle, combined with their low fat, low sugar diet that was also high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, made them very healthy and lean. It is befitting for present-day Hawaiian families during makahiki to capitalize on the opportunity to exercise and to turn over a new leaf to improve family health. Exercise opportunities are many, with gyms and organizations offering programs in every community. Dietary changes have been discussed numerous times in this eolumn. It's important to remember during the holiday season to practice eating sparingly during the week, or between events, so we ean really enjoy the parties. Choosing low-fat products and recipes will shave off the most calories, as fat is the most fattening of nutrients. Drinking water instead of sodas and juice drinks will effectively "shave off " more calories. Adding small changes that use energy, such as taking the stairs between floors at work and shopping malls, will build good muscles and burn off extra calories. Firming up the large muscles in the legs and arms will raise the level of calories being used by the body. Remember, muscle cells burn

many more calories than fat cells. More than ever before, we parents and grandparents must pay more attention to our children's health. We must work to increase the probability that they ean avoid early onset of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems by keeping them slim and exercised. Culturally, parents and grandparents had the responsibility of teaching their families to make good life

choices. This job has becom infinitely more diffi cult today, with all the junk food and freedom of modern childhood. Making time to eat together, to discuss values as a family and to explore the interests of our children is critical today. While this is ehallenging, we, the mākua and kūpuna, are up to the challenge. ■

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Olakino I

By Claire Hughes Dr.PH., R.D.

Traditionally, the makahiki season was a time for displaying excellence in athletic sports, war games and hula.

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