Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 4, 1 April 2010 — Standing tall in Hawaiian health [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Standing tall in Hawaiian health

Pali ke kua, mahina ke alo

"Back as straight as a cliff, face as bright as the moon." Stature, posture andradiance comprised the ideal beauty and handsomeness for early Hawaiians. Cultural sayings, about the traditional prerequisites of physical beauty and handsomeness, are preserved by Mrs. Pukui in 'Ōlelo No 'eau. For example, "Pali ke kua, mahina ke alo" says that a straight back and a face that radiates brightness are attributes of beauty and handsomeness. "Oki kilohana ka pali o Waialoha" means straight and tall is the cliff of Waialoha, rellecting admiration for a tall, well-formed person. "Ku mai no, he pali" also

compares one's back to a cliff. These 'ōlelo no'eau clearly note admiration for persons who are tall and have strong, straight backs. Kahuna pā'ao'ao diagnosed functional disorders or weaknesses in newborns. And, kupuna and makua worked diligently to develop the ideal attributes, as well as correct disorders through infancy and adolescence. Infants and ehikken were treated with special diets, lā'au, lomi lomi and other physical therapies. Body molding began during infancy, as well. Our Hawaiian ancestors knew that features could be molded easily during early years, and they were skilled at manipulating features to meet the standards for physical beauty. Infants were gently massaged to strengthen and align joints and limbs. Fingertips were rolled gently between the thumb and index finger to mold and taper them. Flat or ūpēpē noses were gently pressed into a sharper ridge at the bridge of the nose. Ears that stood out were pressed back against the head, and these infants were carefully checked during naps to assure correct alignment of their ears. Eyes that were too small were massaged toward the nose, to create larger eyes. The buttocks

of boys were carefully molded, as the malo hid only a small part of the body, and boys with flat seats were often teased by their playmates. Young mothers were reminded that po'o 'ōpaha, a flat head, was a sign of a lazy mother who left

her baby in one position for hours. Later in development, children chewed chunks of dried squid to develop strong jaw muscles, teeth and gums. Expectant and nursing mothers were assured calcium-rich diets, abundant in green vegetables, reef fish and poi to assure strong teeth and bones in their babies. Hawaiian greens, including lū'au and palula (cooked sweet potato leaves), several herbs and ferns, as well as limu, are rich sources of ealeium and other minerals such as iron and potassium. Kalo, 'uala (sweet potato) and poi were major staples of the traditional diet and supplied calories and a large portion of minerals and

vitaminsneeded for heahh. Early Hawaiians knew

these foods were needed for healthy - mothers and infants. The effectiveness of body molding is regarded with skepticism by non-Hawaiians. Dr. Charles Snow, an anthropologist and early visitor to Hawai'i, and a team of researchers eonducted a scientific

examination of iwi removed from Mōkapu where the Kāne'ohe Marine base was built. The researchers published their findings on the unique physical characteristics of Hawaiians. Dr. Snow found body-molding techniques had been used to shape a number of adult male skulls to resemble the head of a mueh loved ali'i. Makua and kupuna have kuleana to protect the health of Hawaiian keiki. We must help keiki to live healthy and active lifestyles and to make wise food choices that will help them to develop traditional attributes of physical beauty and healthy vitality. ■

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. Ph, R.D.

Kūne hula is one of many Native Hawaiian tradi- Al^ tions designed to li strengthed physical presence. - Photo: Niek Masagatani