Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 11, 1 November 2008 — The healthy holiday challenge [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The healthy holiday challenge

According to the Hawaiian calendar, the six months of Ho'oilo, or rainy season, have just begun. It's

the season of the makahiki. David Malo said that the Hawaiian month of Welelui is most like November and Makali'i like December. He thought that Kā'elo is like Ianuary, Kaulua like February, Nana like March and Welo like April. Malo assigned specific occurrences to eaeh "month." Welehu is when the puakō (sugarcane flower) is eaten. During Makali'i, plants and vines die back and Kona (southerly) winds blow. Kā'elo is the month that nuhe (caterpillars) appear and vines begin

growing back. Kaulua is when 'anae (mullet) arrive offshore, and during Nana

the oeean is at low tide (malolo). Welo is when Ho'oilo ends. Mary Kawena Puku'i referred to the six months of Ho'oilo as "the season of stonn and rain." She includes 'Ikuwā (OctoberNovember) within the season. She translates 'Ikuwā as "loud-voice," as it is the month that Lono's thunder resounds over uplands and plains. 'Ikuwā brings an end to months of intense heat of the sun and trade winds that dry the kula kai (seaward lands). She describes November as "noisy" with strong variable winds and roaring and pounding surf. Mrs. Puku'i said little deep-sea fishing is done from 'Ikuwā until Nana (March), as the seas are too rough. And, traditionally, work in the uplands ceased as people withdrew into their respective households due to the rains. It's a time to work in areas protected from wind and rain. Traditionally, women spun fibers of olonā into cord and wove

baskets and mats of all sorts in covered work areas. Men repaired homes, worked on their weapons, fishing and hunting gear, and made household utensils of eoeonut shell, gourd, wood or stone. Mrs. Puku'i translates Welehu (November-December) as "ashes" (lehu) from the fires for cooking,

warmth and drying, and we as the swirls of wind around the kauhale (homes). Makali'i means "little eyes" and describes the budding shoots (eyes) of the yams, arrowroot, turmeric. Kā'elo means "the drenching times," describing the rainy season with southerly winds. She interprets Kaulua (FebruaryMarch) as "two together." Kaulua also means, of two minds or indecisive, describing how the changeable weather ean cause people to be uncertain whether to stay in or go out. Nana (March-April) means "animahon," as plant life shows vigor. Welo (April-May) means, "vining out," describing the shoots of the sweet potatoes, yams, morning glory and other vines that begin spreading out. For modern-day Hawaiians, we are entering the season of overeating and over-drinking. Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year celebrations bring many gifts of food and a flurry of parties

at workplaces, churches, clubs and schools. Unlike the great athletic eompetitions of makahiki, eating requires a near-zero caloric expenditure. Traditional competitive surfing, sledding, racing and war-game events required huge calorie expenditures from the tall, muscular Hawaiians. Thus, the

usual energy expenditures for fishing, fanning and hunting transferred to vigorous and lengthy makahiki competitions. You ean avoid seasonal weight gain. Choose to eat fewer fried and fatty foods and oils, because fats (including oils and fat) are the most calorie-laden and potentially dangerous of all nutrients. Fats contain twice the calories of carbohydrates and lean protein, and some fats are hannful to the heart and blood vessels. Numerous tasty, low-fat or no-fat choices exist. Add vegeta-

bles, both cooked and raw, to meals, choosing darkgreen and orange-colored

ones to boost your immune system, fight infections and stay healthy. Replace sweetened drinks and soda with water. Save a few calories eaeh day during the week prior to a party. And add extra activity and exercise to the daily routine, such as climbing the stairs at work or parking a distance from stores at shopping centers, or getting off the bus two stops early and walking the rest of the way. The act of balancing food and physical activity will keep the scales from showing weight gain and save your waistline. As mākua and kūpuna, our age makes it even more important to make healthier food choices to avoid developing chronic illnesses or complicating existing conditions. And mo st importantly, as mākua and kūpuna, it is our kuleana to demonstrate healthy behaviors to our mo'opuna and keiki. It is our kuleana to assure that our keiki develop healthy habits. E3

OLAKINO ■ YDUR HEALĪH x ^

By Clalre Ku'ulellanl Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.

Makūhiki is ū seoson of abundance but beware of overeafing during fhe holidays. - Photo illustration: He!son Gaspar