Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 8, 1 August 1997 — "I paʻa ke kino o ke keiki i ka lāʻau [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"I paʻa ke kino o ke keiki i ka lāʻau

(That the body of the child be solidly built by the medicines) by Claire Hughes Nutritionist, Hawai'i Department Of Health

mother ate herbs during pregnancy and nursing for the sake of the baby's health. The herbs were given to the child up to the age of 20 so that he would be healthy and strong through maturity and old age. One ean imagine why it was so important to produce a healthy child in old Hawai'i. Some clues eome from the writings of Pukui (Bishop Museum, 1942) and other Hawaiian historians about the planning that i went into caring for the expectant mother to assure a healthy infant. i Charles Kenn explained to me that several of the foods kapu to women were too rich and avoiding them kept i the women's body fit for reproduction. The need for a highly nutritious i diet for the expectant mother was well understood and families i i watched carefully over her food needs. The father had the responsibility to grow foods, catch fish and prepare meals for his wife. In old Hawai'i, men did the imu cooking

because it required physical strength and the ability to handle foods that were kapu. ^rospective parents and families had numerous responsibilities. Into all of their daily activities went positive thoughts and prayers for a healthy child. Often, an appro-

priate name for the child appeared in their dreams during that time. Hawaiians knew that behavior and mental attitudes influenced the unborn child, so the kūpuna were watchful for problems of the expectant

parents. Interestingly, these Hawaiian beliefs are now given credibility through Western scientific research. Today, even greater care must be taken by families because we are exposed to more non-Hawaiian experiences than ever before. ♦/awaiian cultural customs kept young women healthy to assure healthy and robust offspring. As our ancestors before us, we must be

mindful of the quality of the foods we eat, particularly considering the rising consumption of foods and drinks that are not healthy. Poor nutritional choices and increased exposure to contagious illnesses are a source of great eoneem, particularly for teenagers and young

women in the work force. Given today's job stresses and intense demands for alertness on the job, good nutrition is even more important. A diet based on our ancestors' wisdom includes seaweed to pro-

vide iron, ealeium and B-vitamins. Poi and taro are good sources of iron, ealeium, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Fish, instead of fatty meats, will help to keep weight off. Taking snacks to work, including fresh vegetables, fruit, boiled or steamed sweet and other potatoes and taro (if you ean find any), ean produce healthy meals and snacks for women during the prenatal period to replace

soda, chips and fries. Many free pamphlets may be picked up at the Nutrition Branch to help with meal planning. #ncient Hawaiians were tall and robust with strong teeth and bones. Calcium for the bones and teeth eame from the many daily cupfuls of cooked greens, small bones of fish and birds that were cooked soft in the imu, and the shells of crabs and sea urchins. ft is said that the food cravings of the expectant mother foretold mueh about the character of the unborn child. For the child's sake, these cravings were satisfied. From the story of a great chief we learn of the cravings of Kamehameha the Great's mother. Her craving to eat the eye of a tiger shark foretold the birth of a ferocious fighter. The craving for the shy and retiring manini fish is said to have foretold an affectionate and home-loving child, while the craving for he'e (squid) predicted a child who would cling like a squid and flee quickly from danger.

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