Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 3, 1 March 2012 — Young artists inspire a healthy optimism [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Young artists inspire a healthy optimism

By Joe Kūhiō Lewis OHA Youth Coordinator Lining the massive underground corridors of Hawai'i's state Capitol, colorful posters expressing the voices of our youth reign in a unified theme of healthy living. Fromeating blueberries and bananas, to dancing hula, Hawai'i youth share with us the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. As a single working father of two young children, making healthy choices is important. However, at times, real-world demands ean win out and healthy choices ean take a back seat. It's more convenient after a long day at work and traffic to grab a quick dinner at the drive through at McDonald's, Jack in the Box or KFC. But we must consider the outcomes of our decisions. The power of improving the way we live lies within all of us. We really have the opportunity to shape our future and figures. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 19 percent of Native Hawaiian youth are obese. That's roughly two in 10 keiki. As one of our strategic priorities, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is committed to ensuring that our lāhui has the resources necessary to

make positive choices. Hawaiians were in good heahh at the time of western contact. They lived active lives, eating what would now be called "organic" foods. We ean return to their positive example by making informed decisions for our next generation. Here are a few simple ways we ean promote healthy living: » Be physically active every day. You ean do this by watching less TV and doing chores, like cleaning your room. » Parents, buy your keiki fruits and vegetables to take to school for snack rather than chips. » Eat whole grains rather than processed foods like white bread and rice. » Limit sugar from candy, soda and juice as well as fat from fried foods and pastries. » Plant a garden. My keiki enjoy watering our papaya tree and watching it grow. These things may be easier said than done. Believe me, I know. But this makua, for one, will be taking to heart the gentle reminders from our youth to get moving, eat healthy and have fun doing it. Their crayon-colored healthy-living posters served as a reminder that for all of us, the decisions we make today will inhuenee generations to eome. ■

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Robynne Guillermo of Honolulu dances hula to keep healthy. - Photo: Joe Lewis