Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

Hawaiian Beliefs: Hawaiian Culture on Pregnancy

Alona K. Valmoja
Kapiolani Community College

Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

Hawaiian Culture on Pregnancy

Childbirth is a very sacred part of Hawaiian culture, because it gives meaning to new life
(ola) and it continues the family lineage. Mookauhau or genealogy is very important in
Hawaiian culture because it connects an individual to their ancestors and to their future
generations. I maikai ke kalo i ka ha, meaning the goodness of the taro is judged by
the young plant it produces. This lelo noeau (Hawaiian proverb) speaks of how the behavior
of the child will reflect back onto their parents, past generations, and upbringing. (Kamehameha
Schools, 2007)
Health During Pregnancy
Maintaining good health during pregnancy was very important in Hawaiian culture, for if
a woman was sick this would not be healthy for the newborn baby. During pregnancy, a woman
was restricted from certain foods because this may cause harm to the baby or cause risk to the
pregnancy. She was not allowed to consume foods that were salty, and after six months she was
encouraged to eat less for she would have trouble delivering a large baby. She was also
encouraged to eat greens and herbs for this would be beneficial towards the newborns health and
growth. (Childbirth in Ancient..,2015)The expecting mother was also not allowed to wear
a closed lei, garland or necklace for this meant that babys umbilical cord would be wrapped
around their neck. If a mother were to become ill during pregnancy, it would mean her child
would be born a mean child. (Healthcare of Chaplaincy, 2013)
Pregnancy
In ancient Hawaii, incest was considered acceptable to keep the bloodline strong,
because of higher rank and mana (power). In Hawaiian tradition, the Kahuna (priest) would
take primary role in the pregnancy. The woman giving birth would not scream or cry out of pain,

Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

for this would be looked upon as shameful. At birth if a child faces their head toward the door, it
meant that the child would provide for others and not his family. If the newborn shall turn his
head toward a relative, that person would become the childs favorite. In old Hawaiian tradition,
the gender of the baby could be determined by the lift of the pregnant womans palm. Shall she
raise her palm up, she would have a daughter. If she raises her hand with her palm down, she
would have a son. If she raises both hands, she would have twins. (Green, L. 1924)
Postpartum and Afterbirth
Immediately after the delivery, the mother was offered herbs and warm broth. Her
abdomen was also wrapped with tapa. The placenta also known as the afterbirth was washed
and buried under a tree. This connected the child to the land, and the growth of the tree signifies
life. Breastfeeding was also initiated in the postpartum period in which was the way to provide
babys nutrients. Mawaewae, was a ceremony that was held to ensure that the mother would
bring in milk for her newborn for in the ancient days, breast milk was the only milk the only milk
that was available before cows milk. Another ceremony was held to help with the weaning of
her breast milk production. In ancient Hawaii and until today, a first babys lau (hawaiian
feast) is held to celebrate the childs survival of the first year of life. (Green, L. 1924)
Umbilical Cord
In Hawaiian Culture, there are three piko (naval, umbilical cord). The piko poo which
is the soft spot or crown of the head connects an individual to their kupuna (ancestors). Piko
ewe is the umbilical cord at the abdomen that connects the child to their mother, for this is
what provided life for the fetus and shows the physical connection between mother and baby.
Piko mai is referring to the genitals, whereas this symbolizes future generation to be born. The
three piko symbolize the past, present, and future. (Ike Kumu, n.d)

Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

Naming the Newborn

Names may be given to a child at birth to symbolize an event that happened during labor
or at the time of birth. Thought is given while picking names for the child because of the
significance of its meaning. It was also a belief that a child would have to live up to their name,
and its meaning, especially if the child was given a name of high rank or mana (power). In old
Hawaiian tradition, children were also called offensive names to protect them from the uhane
kuewa (wandering spirit), such as pupuka (ugly or worthless) or pilau (unpleasant smell). It
was believed that this spirit would cause death of children in the family. (Green, L. 1924)
Ancient Hawaii : Hloa and Hloanakalaukapalili
Hloanakalaukapalili was the stillborn child of Wkea (sky father) and Hoohkukalani.
After he was buried, he grew into the first klo plant. Another son of Wkea and Hoohkukalani
named Hloa was born and he was born the first kanaka (human) of Hawaii. It shows the
significance that Hawaiians are related to the land, as older and younger sibling. It was the
responsibility of the younger sibling to take care of the land for it would provide for him as an
older sibling would provide. This concept of taking care of the land, for it will take care of you is
followed by many Hawaiians today. (Moolelo of Hloa, 2010)
Queen Kapiolani and Childbirth
Because of the high mortality rate of newborns in the 1890s, Queen Kapiolani became
the founder of Kapiolani Maternity Home which provided care for mothers and babies. It was
later joined with Kauikeolani Childrens Hospital to become Kapolani Hospital for Women and
Children in 1978, which until today continues to provide outstanding care for the women and
children of Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. (Hawaii Pacific Health, n.d)

Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

References
Green, L. Hawaiian Customs and Beliefs Relating to Birth and Infancy. (1924)
Retrieved from:

Running Head: HAWAIIAN CULTURE ON PREGNANCY

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1525/aa.1924.26.2.02a00060/asset/aa.1924.26.2.02a0
0060.pdfv=1&t=ifnh2tyu&s=305e08cab91d16f62ceaa66471c1667aba62b7ad
Hawaii Pacific Health. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. (n.d)
Retrieved

from: https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/kapiolani/about-us/overview/

Healthcare of Chaplaincy. Handbook of Patients Spiritual and Cultural Values for

Health Care

Professionals. (2013) Retrieved:

http://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org/userimages/
%20from%20HealthCare%20Chaplaincy

Cultural%20Sensitivity%20handbook

%20%20(3-12%202013).pdf

Ike Kumu. (n.d) Retrieved from: http://hawaii.hawaii.edu/hawaiian/KHaili/ikekumu.htm

Hoomkaikai Enrichment Department. Moolelo of Hloa. Kamehameha Schools (2010)
Kamehameha Schools. I Maikai Ke Kalo. (2007) Retrieved from:
https://apps.ksbe.edu/olelo/sites/apps.ksbe.edu.olelo/files/5.%20I%20Maika'i%20Ke%20Kalo
%20I%20Ka%20'Oha.pdf
The Queens Medical Center. Childbirth in Ancient Hawaii. (2015). Retrieved from:
http://queensmedicalcenter.org/maternity/89-services/services-info/649-childbirth-inancient-hawaii