Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 1, 1 January 2005 — Simple gifts of kindness were the way of the ancestors [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Simple gifts of kindness were the way of the ancestors

LMj ^ By Claire Hughes , Dr.PH., RD. Ua ola nō i ka pane a ke aloha "Though one may have no gift to offer to a friend, a kind word or a friendly greeting is just as important." Another season of gift-giving is pau, but a little reflection on how this holiday tradition has changed over the years evokes some important realizations. The post-depression and wartime 1930s and 1940s, for example, were leaner times, and gifts were fewer, practical and often homemade. Pajamas or slippers to replace those worn out or outgrown brought great excitement and joy. By the 1950s, children and parents found several presents under the tree, some practical, some more

extravagant. Homemade baked goodf were still exchanged. By the more prosperous 1960s and '70s, store-

bought gifts were in the majority. In the 1980s and '90s, our rapidly changing modern society brought such "advances" as muhiple credit cards and bigbox discount stores. In the last few years, traffic on freeways and around shopping malls becomes challenging in midNovember, and by December it is absolutely impossible. Gift-giving is highly eommercialized now and

expectations are high. After the New Year, attention then turns to paying large credit card balances. The flurry of a busy season and facing the realities of paying off the credit cards ean cause undue stress. Persistent stress ean cause headaches, blood pressure increases and ean lead to serious health consequences. But do you ever wonder about traditional Hawaiian gifts, way before department stores and credit cards? Pule, mele or oli, composed to celebrate personal attributes of the recipient and performed before a gathering of family and friends, were gifts. The saying "ke kani nei ka 'ālana" means the gift is sounded, and describes the gift of audible prayer to the gods honoring the recipient. Numerous name songs and chants, composed as gifts to our ali'i scores of years ago, continue to be sung and appreciated

today. Gifts of mele are still given. Several years ago, a friend revealed that her aunt, Irmgard Aluli, had written the

song My Little Baby Kalai for her as they awaited the arrival of a new sibling. In traditional times, gifts reflected the skill and talents of the bearer. For example, fishermen gave fish, tapa makers gave tapa, farmers gave vegetables and weavers made mats as gifts. Embodied in the gift were the precious skills, aloha and mana from the

gift-giver. Acts of kindness and thoughtfulness were also given. Repair and maintenance work for elders who no longer had strength and agility were appreciated as mueh as precious jewelry. And, as the 'ōlelo at the beginning of this article says, kind words or friendly greetings throughout the year are always important gifts for those we love and respect. A heallh advisory for 2005: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that Americans reduce their daily salt (or sodium) intake to 1,500 milligrams from the previously recommended 2,400 mg. daily. This is equal to about half a teaspoon of salt or shoyu. Today, Americans consume about 4,000 mg. of salt daily, and high blood pressure now affects one in four adults and some adolescents as well. If not lowered, over time high blood pressure ean lead to heart attacks and strokes. Using onion, garlic, celery, tomatoes and chives, as well as fresh and dried herbal seasonings like basil, thyme, oregano and parsley to flavor cooked dishes and to replace salt is simple to do. Most of the salt in the American diet comes from prepared and processed foods, so reading labels is critical. Eating more potassium-rich fresh fruit and vegetables will help to halanee the sodium levels in the body. Broccoli, cantaloupe, spinach, lū'au, oranges, papaya and sweet potatoes are good sources of potassium. Let's get healthier in 2005. Eating less salt and fat, consuming more vegetables and fruit, as well as increasing daily physical activity are important health measures. ■

Mo'oi fi n

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