Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 6, 1 Iune 2010 — BUILDING MEN OF SUBSTANCE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BUILDING MEN OF SUBSTANCE

By Keola Kawai'ula'iliahi Chan

Nānā no a ka 'ulu i pakl kēpau. Look for a man who has substance, like gummy breadfruit, whieh is a sign of maturity. — 'Ōlelo No'eau ! A man of substance...Our kūpuna left us /\this 'Ōlelo No'eau that was uttered to women as they searched for their eompanion in life. We could say that those kūpuna had a very different view of the requirements for men 200 years ago, but let's look at what they meant when they asked our women to "look for a man who has substance." How do we measure substance and maturity in men? In all things we know that there are unique aspects and traits that are passed down. But whether you hailed from Kumukahi to Lehua, there were fundamental aspects of being a man that spanned generations and communities. These values were taught in the home, the community and amongst men within the hale mua. Our kūpuna valued men who were loving, courageous and committed to being lifelong learners of these values. Aligned with these values are cultural beliefs that help to shape the lens in whieh we see our world. Through this perspective, a kāne is rooted spiritually back into the time of Pō, while taking courageous steps into the future. A kāne's ability to halanee both the physical and spiritual world is done by being mindful and maintaining the mana that has been inherited by those that have eome before us. Our present actions assist in acquiring the respect and love within our community, environment and 'ohana. Balancing our inherited and acquired mana is what equates to pono or hewa behavior as kāne.

Kupuna often remind us that kāne who embrace these values and beliefs establish a foundation where strength in thought, action and behavior is cultivated. It is with this strength that we discover that warrior within us. As kāne we must be warriors in every way. To be a warrior is more than just to fight physically. A skilled warrior is one with the fluidity to dodge and maneuver discomfort, to smile in the face of chaos and to obtain the skills and ability to control his anger. It is finding balanee to stand up and defend those who cannot and protect that whieh is pono.

Amature kāne that is pono is likened to that of a mature "gummy breadfruit," one that provides physical and mental nourishment, heals our emotional needs and binds our spiritual and cultural practices to reclaim and re-establish our kuleana within the home and community. A kāne is like a Lehua to our family, one who leads others to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. A kāne is a seeker of knowledge, he understands that all is not taught in one school. A kāne is healer, one who knows that to heal others he must first heal himself. A kāne is a provider, someone who loves and cares for those around him. A kāne is someone who does not hit those that look up to him, but hits the pavement every day to provide shelter for his family. A kāne is one who fathers his children and shares his challenges and struggles in becoming a man. No man should feel alone in this journey through life. As we look toward new horizons, Hawaiian men from all corners of the world will onee again gather June 18-20, 2010, on the grounds of Windward Community College. The long anticipated 'Aha Kāne Hawaiian Men's Heahh Conference will offer lectures, hands-on demonstrations and workshops that will focus on strengthening leadership skills by reinforcing cultural practices, values, beliefs and behaviors that will benefit all kanaka. Eho'okanaka. "Be a man, be a person of worth." These were the last words uttered by Kamehameha I to his son Liholiho, whieh eeho through time to encourage our kāne of today to be brave, mature and fearless as we inspire hope to the next generation of men. For more information, visit ahakane.org. ■ Keola Kawai'ula'iliahi Chan is a Research Analyst at the Offce ofHawaiian Affairs.

KEY FINDINGS FR0M THE 'AHA KĀNE 2006 HEALĪH SCREENING RESULTS:

Oft% had Borderline/High or High Cholesterol Levels

were at a moderate to high riskfor Total Cholesterol/ ^g\Q/ High Density Lipoprotein * 1 1 ^at'° (|ncreased r'sk tor I w heart disease)

^g\Q/ ofparticipants were g U /0 0verweight (BMI 25-29.9) I %3 and 0bese (BMI 30+)

0f 195 completed evaluations, "participants remarked having greater insight regarding their role(s) and responsibilities pertaining to personal goals as well as within the 'ohana and community."

Soutce: 'Aha Kāne 2006 Native Hawaiian Men's Heallh Conference Final Report (Papa Kōmike Kūmakua and 'Aha Kāne 2006 Native Hawaiian Men's Health Conferenee Health and Wellness Screening Report (Papa Ola Lōkahi)

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