HAWAIIAN CULTURE

PRESENTED 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 Hawaiis traditions, beliefs and heritage over the years.

HISTORICALLY, HAWAIIANS BELIEVED THAT THEIR LIFE FORCE CAME FROM THE GODS WAKEA
(SKYS 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 CHILDS 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.

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

 Muhee (squid)
If the mother craved
muhee (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

LAAU LAPAAU, 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.

 Keokeo Kokio
(White Hibiscus)
The hibiscus (kokio) was
used as a laxative when
constipated.

 Ilima
The ilima was used to
enhance the mother and
childs 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 fetuss 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
alii (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.

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.

Special care was given

to the disposition of the
iwe (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.

 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
mothers 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 hoailona 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 luau 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 customs
surrounding health into the actual
health care delivery system is
essential.

MAHALO!!!!!!!