HAWAIIAN CULTUREPRESENTED BY: CHRISTINE ROMBAWA

Every culture has their own specific values, beliefs, customs, norms and rituals surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum period, and

the care of the newborn. Hawaii is no different, yet many cultural rituals have been lost and are not practiced today. The traditional

culture of Native Hawaiians have been strongly influenced by different ethnic groups that have added a bit of their culture and

practices to Hawaii’s traditions, beliefs and heritage over the years.

HISTORICALLY, HAWAIIANS BELIEVED THAT THEIR LIFE FORCE CAME FROM THE GODS WAKEA(SKY’S FATHER) AND PAPA (EARTH MOTHER). TODAY IT MIGHT BE SEEN AS A SUPERSTITION, BUT

TO THE HAWAIIANS IT WAS THEIR WAY OF LIFE. SOME IDEAS HOWEVER, ABOUT PREGNANCY AND LABOR, ARE STILL IN PRACTICE TODAY, BUT MOST HAVE BEEN LOST THROUGH CULTURAL

ASSIMILATION.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHATEVER SPECIAL FOOD THE PREGNANT MOTHER CRAVES A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE

BIRTH WOULD BE THE CHILD’S FAVORITE DISH AND WOULD DETERMINE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD.

Palani (surgeon fish)

If she craved palani (the surgeon fish) it was said that the child would have foul-smelling skin.

•Opi’hi

• The child would be affectionate. When he loves someone, nothing but death can separate him from her.

• Muhe’e (squid)

• If the mother craved muhe’e (squid) the child would be sneaky and two faced.

•Wana (Sea urchine)

• If she craved wana (sea urchin) the child would be quiet if left alone, but if disturbed would cause harm.

THERE WAS ALSO A KAPU (RESTRICTIVE LAW) ON CERTAIN FOODS THAT WOMEN COULD NOT EAT LIKE PORK,

BANANAS, COCONUT, AND TARO BECAUSE THESE FOODS SYMBOLIZED THE GODS.

HAWAIIAN TRADITIONAL HEALERS WOULD PRACTICE LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, MEDICINAL HEALING, USING PLANTS

FROM AROUND THE HEIAU AND IN NEIGHBORING FORESTS TO TREAT THE PREGNANT WOMEN.

Plants like olena was used for

promoting good blood health.

•Ke’oke’o Koki’o(White Hibiscus)

• The hibiscus (koki’o) was used as a laxative when constipated.

• Ilima

• The ilima was used to enhance the mother and child’s wellbeing and reduce fatigue.

•Coconut

•Coconut milk was used to hydrate and maintain electrolytes

• Lau kahi

• The lau kahi plant was used to treat nausea.

Prior to using any plants, they would offer a prayer

to ask permission and give thanks for the medicines

before harvesting and preparing them.

Currently pregnant women refrain

from wearing closed leis and

necklaces because it is believed that

if they wear one, the umbilical cord

will wrap around the fetus’s neck.

• It is also said that if the father of the child angers the mother during pregnancy, the child will take on more characteristics of the father.

• The cutting of hair and nails is done with caution, making sure to dispose of the hair and nails properly, to prevent anyone from cursing them or taking their mana.

• Kukaniloko, which means “to anchor the cry from within” is located on Oahu, and was used as a sacred birthing place for the ali’i (royalty). The birthing stones (pohaku) was said to contain powers to ease child birth.

• The birth of a child at Kukaniloko was witnessed by 36 chiefs. Immediately after birth, the child was taken to the nearby heiau of Hoolonopahu where purification rites and the cutting of the umbilical cord were overseen by 48 chiefs. Kukaniloko was one of two places in Hawaii specifically designated for the birth of high ranking children. The other site was Holoholoku at Wailua on Kauai.

• Special care was given to the disposition of the iēwe (placenta) and navel cord. A birth ritual was performed then it was often buried and a tree was planted over it, which symbolized the reuniting of the child with the land. Currently, Hawaii state law allows this practice as long as there are no pathological diseases present and many families practice this belief.

The Krugs were involved in a battle with their hospital,

Kaiser Permanente, to release the placenta of their

daughter in keeping with a traditional Hawaiian birth

ritual.

• With some Hawaiian women, it is considered embarrassing to vocalize pain while in labor. They will accept pain medication if needed, but will prefer to use lomilomi (massage).

• During the first month of postpartum, the mother is encouraged to rest. Family members help with housework and cooking which allows her to recover (Culture & Clinical Care). It is the mother’s responsibility to care for baby, but grandparents often help until the child is ready to go to preschool.

THE NAMING OF A CHILD HAS GREAT SIGNIFICANCE IN THE HAWAIIAN CULTURE. HAWAIIAN NAMES HAVE

SPECIFIC MEANINGS AND ARE USUALLY GIVEN TO A CHILD BY A KUPUNA (FAMILY ELDER) OR BY THEIR

PARENTS.

• Inoa po, which means name in the night, is when a name is received in a dream

• inoa ho’ailona means name in a sign, which is a name received in the form of a vision, sign, or natural phenomenon

• inoa kupuna is a name that is handed down from an ancestor.

• The baby luau was traditionally a naming ceremony and a celebration of life, because of the high mortality rates of infants due to disease (Polulani, personal communication, November 25, 2015). Currently, the first birthday lu’au is still celebrated with family and friends to commensurate the first year of life.

KALUA PIG

• Culturally competent health care is important for nurses. Although many Hawaiian traditional rituals and customs are not currently practiced, it is important to respect the culture and ask the patient their preferences. Utilizing multiple cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and integrating this knowledge of the values, beliefs, and customssurrounding health into the actual health care delivery system is essential.

MAHALO!!!!!!!