Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2009 — Year of challenges [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Year of challenges

Predictions all point to an extremely lean 2009. National financial and politieal experts are full of grim details on the economy. Despite their apparent intelligence, however, these experts were just as clueless as we were while eeonomie problems were incubating. Experts are still trying to decide who to hlame and what we should do. But we do not have to wait. We ean take immediate aehon to help ourselves deal with 2009. Preparing for trouble ahead is a part of our inherited Hawaiian DNA. Let's focus our mana on running a "leaner" household and saving money. 2009 provides the motivation

to scrutinize family expenditures carefully, in search

of ways to reduce the money being spent. First, make a list of the standard

monthly expenses and then, add to the list, all other ways money is spent.

Mākua and kūpuna should be responsible for making the list and suggestions for change and

then completely agreeing to them before bringing the keiki into the plan. Keiki ean be great allies. It is important for the entire family to

understand and agree to the plan. Talk to family, friends and neighbors and see if they have other ideas to reduce spending.

Searching for ways to trim or to cut all items on the list is next. Reduce the use of electricity and gasoline. Reduce personal and other expenses. Does anyone have a "green thumb?" Papaya, hanana, tangerines and many vegetables ean be grown at home. Ask relatives, friends, garden shops or the University of Hawai'i extension program in eaeh county for help with choosing food plants. And, food budgets ean yield considerable savings with careful, up-front planning and strategizing. You probably know some basic rules to reduce food expenditures, like shop using a planned grocery list, buy for a week at a time, use discount coupons and buy items on sale. To save on gasoline, reduce the number of times the car leaves the garage. This will take planning and cooperation, but the dollar rewards ean be significant. Plan family meals for the week including packed lunches for working adults. Cut "frills" to a minimum. Items like soda, other bottled and canned beverages, chips, candy, many snacks, pastries, fast foods ean be eliminated or "cut to the bone." Shop at the "open markets" where vegetables and fruit cost mueh less. Working families ean prepare main dishes a day ahead, refrigerate and quickly heat up for dinner the next day. This is a great time to pull out recipe books to teach daughters

and sons to eook. Reduce electricity use by changing to CFL light bulbs, turning lights off in empty rooms, and disconnecting eell phone chargers when not in use. In fact,

to save electricity, disconnect all small appliances that are not in use. You ean lower the temperature of

your hot water heater a few degrees, and turn the heater off during the night and/or when you are at work. Teach the keiki to take short showers. Let's pledge to take time to make 2009 a lean year, budget-wise, that is. For many, their family protectors, the 'aumakua, are part of their arsenal in troubled times. They protect and inspire. Mo'olelo are often told of escapes from danger, death, even battlefield harm attributed to 'aumakua. One mo'olelo involves a warrior in Kamehameha's anny, who, in the thick of battle, was being pushed toward a cliff and sure death. An owl flew up into his path warning him, and the warrior was able to thrust his spear into the ground and save himself from the fall. Another is of a Lahaina man who swam all night in the Pailolo ehannel after his boat capsized. He was near drowning when an owl flapped its wings in his face and showed the man how close he was to land. There are others about shark aumakua who save shipwrecked individuals, bringing them to shore. And, more about sharks that assure a good catch for fishennen that they protect. Akua is our greatest guide and comfort. Consider the prayers to Akua that our Hawaiian ancestors offered on their arduous journey to Hawai'i. Pahenee, courage and guidance to meet challenges of the sea, most assuredly eame from Akua. Undoubtedly, the early navigators and sailors trusted their skills however the blessings from Akua were a source of comfort and determination. I marvel at the accomplishments of our Hawaiian ancestors. I acknowledge the great power of Akua. In this year, we need to pray for guidance and courage to meet challenges in the days, weeks and months of 2009. ^

¥ For many, their family protectors, the 'aumakua, are part of their arsenal in troubled times.

MO'OLELO - H ISJŪ RY

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.

Stories tell of shark 'aumakua who save shipwrecked individuals, bringing them to shore. - Photo: Courtesy ofsxchu. Yj eom