Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 12, 1 December 1999 — Keiki and kupuna: atraditional bonding [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Keiki and kupuna: atraditional bonding

JCa 'opu 'u pua i moĀaīa. 3fe £i'ia[o. — A flower bud that unfolded. A baby - One borne in the arms. A child dearly beloved.

By C I a i r e Hughes Dept. of Health T IS clear that children were a cherished part of the traditional Hawaiian 'ohana, as indicated in these proverbs from the eolleehon of Mary Kawena Pūku'i. Children were a connection between the ancestors and the 'ohana. Ceremonies, whieh were observed after the child was born, connected the newbom with his ancestors and 'aumākua (family guardians). These observances and family prayers set the child on a good and proper path for life.

A great deal of thoughtful effort went into raising a child within the traditional 'ohana. The customs relating to child rearing gave the kūpuna, on both the father and the other's side, a special role. The grandparents' elaim, or kuleana, took precedence over the parents' prerogative. The decision about who would raise the child was made by his kūpuna. Often, parents did not rear their child; the kūpuna would assume the responsibility, or hānai, soon after birth. lf the first-bom. hiapo, was male, he was hanai by relatives on the husband's side. And if the newborn was a girl, relatives from the wife's side would hanai the girl. Mrs. Pūku'i tells us that the firstbom child, hiapo, had his future clearly outlined by the 'ohana even before birth. And the hiapo was given outright to the grandparents as their keiki hānai. This t hānai system has challenged the understanding of non-Hawaiians.

n the 'ohana, elders and senior members were vested with authority, responsibilities and knowledge of the family. It was the grandparents' privilege to ' hanai their hiapo. And the 'ohana

felt that the first grandchild belonged to the grandparents. Tra-

ditionally, the parents would declare in the presence of the 'ohana, "Nāu ke keiki kūkae a na'au" - "I give this child intestines and all." - and this agreement was binding. Mrs. Pūku'i explained that this traditional practice was conducted without negative feelings or emotions of turning the child over to strangers, as there may be with present-day adoption. Unlike adoption, the keiki hanai remained part of the 'ohana, living close to and often visiting his natural parents. The child was carefully nurtured and taught skills, crafts or a profession by his grandparents. The

keiki hānai was taught details of his genealogy and the family 'aumākua, and he developed a sense of personal and family identity. As a constant eompanion of his I grandparents, the hiapo was I taught to memorize family I genealogical chants, the I social and religious customs, I and the specialized skills and I knowledge of the 'ohana. I The hiapo was given many privileges as well as responsibilities. Great care was taken in providing all keiki with proper food and nour-

ishment. Health, strength and vigor were carefully fostered by many spiritual and physical practices within the 'ohana. Massages, herbal medicine and nutritious food assured the maximum physical and mental development of the keiki hānai. All of the traditional foods such as poi, taro, sweet potato, yams, breadfruit, limu, and greens and herbs, augmented with special fish, shell fish and other varieties of fish and fowl consumed by the 'ohana were provided for the hiapo by his kūpuna and *f 'ohana. In this way, generations of Hawaiians thrived. ■

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Kupuna David Ka'uhane surrounded by mo opuna, leftto right, Shance, Shawna, Spencer and Shannon Lonoae'a.

Shannon Lonoae'a, center and pictured below, continues a Hawaiian tradition, raising her Kelsey and Daniel with input from their kupuna, Lei Lonoae'a of OHA's Pub!ic lnformation Office.