Traditional Hawaiian Society
Traditional Hawaiian society was characterized by a complex religious, governmental and cultural system that reflected the harmonious relationship the early Hawaiians had with the natural world. Like most societies, the Hawaiians had a set of rules or laws (kapu) to help guide their people. The Kapu System outlined actions that were appropriate and inappropriate for people of different ranks. The kapu also regulating conservation of natural resources were usually farsighted and just. Because the early Hawaiians depended on nature for everything, the kapu system was intimately connected with reverence and respect for the natural world. This Aloha Aina (love of the land) made the kapu system one of the earliest examples of environmental protectionism. (1)
Since pre-1778 western contact, Native Hawaiians used to have a population of at least half a million people total (estimations range from different sources from 100,000 to a million people). The sicknesses experienced back then were typically from trauma or degenerative disease according to archaelogical research of the bone of their skeletons. (2) But generally, the livelihood of Hawaiians was very healthy. When Captain Cook arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, his crew reported that Hawaiians appeared strong, healthy, and statuesque. Though there hasn't been enough concrete research to conclude an exact average life span of Hawaiians during this time, enough academic findings point to Hawaiians living longer lives, seemingly as high as 70 or 80. Back then, the typical lifespan of the even the British was around 40 or 50. (3) During Cook's contact with the islands, he even documents that "old men are often to be seen" and goes on to site a specific story of "the oldest looking man that any of the party had ever seen, and they thought he could not be short of 100 years old" (Cook, Pt. III, p. 629). Living to such old age explains not only the physical health of Hawaiians, but also the spiritual and cultural health that was fostered during that time by living in harmony with the aina and within the 'ohana. The social and economic system was founded on the values of laulima (cooperation) and kōkua (helpfullness) which emphasizes lōkahi (unity) and teamwork rather than the individuality the present world. (4)
Since pre-1778 western contact, Native Hawaiians used to have a population of at least half a million people total (estimations range from different sources from 100,000 to a million people). The sicknesses experienced back then were typically from trauma or degenerative disease according to archaelogical research of the bone of their skeletons. (2) But generally, the livelihood of Hawaiians was very healthy. When Captain Cook arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, his crew reported that Hawaiians appeared strong, healthy, and statuesque. Though there hasn't been enough concrete research to conclude an exact average life span of Hawaiians during this time, enough academic findings point to Hawaiians living longer lives, seemingly as high as 70 or 80. Back then, the typical lifespan of the even the British was around 40 or 50. (3) During Cook's contact with the islands, he even documents that "old men are often to be seen" and goes on to site a specific story of "the oldest looking man that any of the party had ever seen, and they thought he could not be short of 100 years old" (Cook, Pt. III, p. 629). Living to such old age explains not only the physical health of Hawaiians, but also the spiritual and cultural health that was fostered during that time by living in harmony with the aina and within the 'ohana. The social and economic system was founded on the values of laulima (cooperation) and kōkua (helpfullness) which emphasizes lōkahi (unity) and teamwork rather than the individuality the present world. (4)
Native Hawaiian Diet
The Ancient Hawaiian diet is said to be one of the healthiest diets in the world (Ann Cecil 2002:1). Ancient Hawaiian’s main diet consisted of poi (which comes from the taro root), fish, birds, breadfruit, pigs, yams, shellfish, and seaweed. (5)
“The ancient Hawaiians were fit. The traditional Hawaiian diet may have been ‘one of the best in the world’. It was a simple, high starch, high fiber, low saturated fat, low sodium and low cholesterol diet. It had 12 percent protein, 18 percent fat and 70 percent carbohydrates. By comparison, the typical American diet today has 15 percent protein, 40 percent fat and 45 percent carbohydrates” (Kanahele 1998).
With the amount of exercise they were getting, Native Hawaiians were healthy and strong. Many Hawaiian legends boast about the strength of the warriors; King Kamehameha I was crowned because he was able to lift a 700 lbs boulder over his head.
The Ancient Hawaiian’s major meal of the day was a lu’au . A lu’au is a feast and celebration where the food is laid out for everyone to share. The ali’i would get a special meal, which was brought to them by members of a lower social status. Because commoners didn't have access to the foods given to the elites, their diets were very healthy with limited consumption of the luxury fatty foods (Kirch and O’Day 2003:490). In the modern Hawaii, it seems that members of lower classes have limited access to healthy foods; in Ancient Hawaii, the situation was the opposite. (5)
“The ancient Hawaiians were fit. The traditional Hawaiian diet may have been ‘one of the best in the world’. It was a simple, high starch, high fiber, low saturated fat, low sodium and low cholesterol diet. It had 12 percent protein, 18 percent fat and 70 percent carbohydrates. By comparison, the typical American diet today has 15 percent protein, 40 percent fat and 45 percent carbohydrates” (Kanahele 1998).
With the amount of exercise they were getting, Native Hawaiians were healthy and strong. Many Hawaiian legends boast about the strength of the warriors; King Kamehameha I was crowned because he was able to lift a 700 lbs boulder over his head.
The Ancient Hawaiian’s major meal of the day was a lu’au . A lu’au is a feast and celebration where the food is laid out for everyone to share. The ali’i would get a special meal, which was brought to them by members of a lower social status. Because commoners didn't have access to the foods given to the elites, their diets were very healthy with limited consumption of the luxury fatty foods (Kirch and O’Day 2003:490). In the modern Hawaii, it seems that members of lower classes have limited access to healthy foods; in Ancient Hawaii, the situation was the opposite. (5)
Hawaiian Culture and Healing
Native Hawaiian culture emphasizes a system of reciprocity with nature and community in order to maintain a required pono (internal balance) inside the soul for well being and health. This reciprocity arises from the recognition of the interdependent nature of creation. There is a cycle of reciprocity in which humans react to nature and nature reacts to humans. The core belief is that we are all one body of life and so each thing in me is related to each thing in you, in rocks, in water, and in the stars. As members of the same family, we have a bond, which is an obligation that guides our healthy relationships with one another. This is the cultural and spiritual beliefs of Hawaiians. (6)
In Hawaiian society, Kāhuna, traditional healers known as “keepers of secrets and traditional knowledge,” served as the sole medical providers for Native Hawaiians before the introduction of Western medicine. They specialized in different types of healing practices, including ho‘olomilomi, or to “press, knead, or massage,” ho‘ponopono, meaning “to make, or to correct, in perfect order,” lā‘au lapa‘au, which included the use of medicines made from “plant, animal, and mineral products collected from the land and sea,” ho‘ohānau, or midwifery, and lā‘au kāhea, which literally translates to “the calling medicine,” and included the incorporation of suggestion and positive thinking energies to heal a patient. (7)
Hawaiian health at the time revolved around a value system that put an emphasis on lōkahi, or the “harmony of body, mind, and spirit.” To Hawaiians, illness befell a person who had fallen out of lōkahi, often times by doing evil acts, breaking promises, or violating kapu. Hence, a kahuna’s initial step in treating a sick person was to pray and restore lōkahi. (7) Restoring lōkahi often times meant nurturing and being nurtured by one's 'ohana, strengthening mana (life force), respecting and learning lessons from na kupuna (the elders), honoring your 'aumakua (ancestral spirits), and caring for your environment, Aloha Aina. (6) This more holistic approach of dealing with health is at the core of Hawaiian values and beliefs and describes the harmony valued in the spirit and life of Native Hawaiians.
In Hawaiian society, Kāhuna, traditional healers known as “keepers of secrets and traditional knowledge,” served as the sole medical providers for Native Hawaiians before the introduction of Western medicine. They specialized in different types of healing practices, including ho‘olomilomi, or to “press, knead, or massage,” ho‘ponopono, meaning “to make, or to correct, in perfect order,” lā‘au lapa‘au, which included the use of medicines made from “plant, animal, and mineral products collected from the land and sea,” ho‘ohānau, or midwifery, and lā‘au kāhea, which literally translates to “the calling medicine,” and included the incorporation of suggestion and positive thinking energies to heal a patient. (7)
Hawaiian health at the time revolved around a value system that put an emphasis on lōkahi, or the “harmony of body, mind, and spirit.” To Hawaiians, illness befell a person who had fallen out of lōkahi, often times by doing evil acts, breaking promises, or violating kapu. Hence, a kahuna’s initial step in treating a sick person was to pray and restore lōkahi. (7) Restoring lōkahi often times meant nurturing and being nurtured by one's 'ohana, strengthening mana (life force), respecting and learning lessons from na kupuna (the elders), honoring your 'aumakua (ancestral spirits), and caring for your environment, Aloha Aina. (6) This more holistic approach of dealing with health is at the core of Hawaiian values and beliefs and describes the harmony valued in the spirit and life of Native Hawaiians.
Sources-
1. Pre Contact Hawaii. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/hacul/history.htm
2. Hope, B. E. and Hope, J. H. (2003). Native Hawaiian Health in Hawaii: Historical Highlights. California Journal of Health Promotion, 1, 1-9. Retrieved from: http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Native_Hawaiian_Health_in_Hawaii__Historical_Highlights.pdf
3. Cook, J. (1779). The Journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery, Vol. III. Cambridge: Hakluyt Society at the University Press, 1955-1974.
4. Kanahele, G.H. (1986). Ku Kanaka Stand Tall: A Search for Hawaiian Values. (Ch.10). University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved from: https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/group/MAN.76583.201310/Laulima%20Readings/Kanahele1986.pdf
5. Todd, Brittany. (2012). Hawaiian "Local Food" Diet Compared to Traditional Native Hawaii Diet. Retrieved from: http://brittanytodd.hubpages.com/hub/Hawaiian-Food-Culture-The-Evolution-and-Effects-of-Local-Food#
6. Hewett, K., Alailima, C., Kamakea-Ohelo, K., & Mann, K.. (2001). O Ke Aloha Ka Mea I Hoola Ai Compassion is the Healer an indigenous peoples healing conference. Pacific Health Dialogue, 8, 417-422. Retrieved from: http://www.pacifichealthdialog.org.fj/Volume%208/No2%20The%20Health%20of%20the%20Hawaiians/Conference%20Reports/O%20Ke%20Aloha%20Ka%20Mea%20I%20Hoola%20Ai%20%20Compassion%20is%20the%20Healer%20an%20indigenous%20peoples%20healing%20conferenc.pdf
7.Donlin, A.L.. (2010). When All the Kāhuna Are Gone: Evaluating Hawai‘i’s Traditional Hawaiian Healers’ Law. Retrieved from: http://blog.hawaii.edu/aplpj/files/2011/11/APLPJ_12.1_donlin.pdf
1. Pre Contact Hawaii. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/hacul/history.htm
2. Hope, B. E. and Hope, J. H. (2003). Native Hawaiian Health in Hawaii: Historical Highlights. California Journal of Health Promotion, 1, 1-9. Retrieved from: http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Native_Hawaiian_Health_in_Hawaii__Historical_Highlights.pdf
3. Cook, J. (1779). The Journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery, Vol. III. Cambridge: Hakluyt Society at the University Press, 1955-1974.
4. Kanahele, G.H. (1986). Ku Kanaka Stand Tall: A Search for Hawaiian Values. (Ch.10). University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved from: https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/group/MAN.76583.201310/Laulima%20Readings/Kanahele1986.pdf
5. Todd, Brittany. (2012). Hawaiian "Local Food" Diet Compared to Traditional Native Hawaii Diet. Retrieved from: http://brittanytodd.hubpages.com/hub/Hawaiian-Food-Culture-The-Evolution-and-Effects-of-Local-Food#
6. Hewett, K., Alailima, C., Kamakea-Ohelo, K., & Mann, K.. (2001). O Ke Aloha Ka Mea I Hoola Ai Compassion is the Healer an indigenous peoples healing conference. Pacific Health Dialogue, 8, 417-422. Retrieved from: http://www.pacifichealthdialog.org.fj/Volume%208/No2%20The%20Health%20of%20the%20Hawaiians/Conference%20Reports/O%20Ke%20Aloha%20Ka%20Mea%20I%20Hoola%20Ai%20%20Compassion%20is%20the%20Healer%20an%20indigenous%20peoples%20healing%20conferenc.pdf
7.Donlin, A.L.. (2010). When All the Kāhuna Are Gone: Evaluating Hawai‘i’s Traditional Hawaiian Healers’ Law. Retrieved from: http://blog.hawaii.edu/aplpj/files/2011/11/APLPJ_12.1_donlin.pdf