Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2010 — Let's pull it all together in 2010 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Let's pull it all together in 2010

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. Ph, R.D. Let's take a hard look at Hawaiian health and deeide what we ean do to improve the situation. Who is going to do it and how is it to be done? And, exactly what is "it"? Mueh has been written about the heahh decline and increasing behavioral risk (like smoking, drinking and being severely overweight) among Hawaiians since westem contact in 1778. Thus, most Native Hawaiians know the situation. Many are aware that whatever the rest of their ethnic heritage is does not change the situation mueh. Thankfully, most Native Hawaiians ean recite, with speed and aeeuracy, three top suggestions/ways to improve their own health. So, what's the "hang-up?" Hawaiians know that too! Between the questions of "who," "what," "how" and "when" it is to be done, the most difficult question is, "when?" At this point, if Hawaiians are open to the wisdom of their Hawaiian ancestors, "it" is done immediately and done as an 'ohana. Hawaiians know the "to-do list": exercise more; drink more water and fewer sugary and aleoholie beverages; see the doctor annually (and get all of the tests too); eat less fat and sugar; sleep eight hours a day; add more vegetables to the diet; eat whole foods and grains; eat less fast food; etc., etc., etc. ! So now, consider your own heahh and choose any three items from the "to-do list." Do three things and you will win the prize. Do it as a family and the prize (benefit) will grow tremendously. If "it" is exercise, the only eaution is that all family members must

get a heahh assessment and speeihe advice "on exercising" from the doctor. Decide whieh exercise, create your 'ohana plan and start h immediately. There is no need to spend a lot of money. Walking, running and swimming are free and require no coaching. Just assure that your feet and ankles are protected by good athletic shoes whh arch supports. Make sure that there is drinking water along the exercise route or carry a water bottle. The best solution is to paek a cooler of icy cold water and snacks in the car eaeh morning. When? For young families who commute: at pau hana time, the mākua ean put their shoes on and walk around the park or school grounds (or anywhere) as their keiki are participating in afterschool sports. Or, the keiki ean join their mākua in the family exercise. When the exercise/sports time is pau and on the drive home, rehydrate and refresh with the water and fruit and vegetable snacks that you packed. At home, a hot meal ean be ready in the 30 minutes it takes to eook the brown or "hapa haole" rice. This plan includes three things from the "to-do list": exercise, increasing water intake and eating vegetables and fruit. Remember, besides fresh water, most beverages cost money and eontain calories (unless you drink plain tea or coffee). Some beverages have questionable or harmful ingredients. Some elaim to have important added nutrients. The truth is that plain water is best and slightly chilled water is absorbed more efficiently. Whatever the arguments for or against eonhnuing to purchase and consume other beverages, honestly, our bodies need only water. We ean extend the good heahh and purposeful lives for ourselves, our children, grandchildren and 'ohana. Family heahh is the kuleana of mākua and kūpuna. Our Hawaiian ancestors thought about h, planned for it, did it and did it well. Let's make our Hawaiian 'ohana healthier. And, let's start today! ■

olakino'™

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