Change for Hawaiian PeopleThe living Kupuna today may have experienced what was probably the hardest period for Hawaiian people and the Hawaiian Culture. On January 27th, 1893 the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown by American Businessmen. While Hawaiian people were already struggling to fight off the many diseases brought by foreigners, their culture, land, and rights were slowly slipping away from them as well. After the overthrow and maybe even before it, the Hawaiian Culture and practices of the Hawaiian culture including language became frowned upon. Hawaiian people became very ashamed of their culture and many did everything in their power to become like the foreigners, including changing their names. The Hawaiians who lived through this time period had to endure this loss and adjust to a changing society.
Diseases, depression, and lonelinessMany kupuna suffer from illness and depression. Especially in the Hawaiian Culture, we Hawaiians are more susceptible to diseases like heart disease and obesity. Along with being at-rish to many diseases, Hawaiian Kupuna also face the everyday difficulties that come with getting older. There are many elderly in care homes that are there because they need medical attention and assistance with everyday tasks. Some have lost majority of friends their age and become very lonely. Some Kupuna may not even have many family members, and the few they do have to not really make an attempt to visit them. under these circumstances some elderly become miserable and are not able to enjoy the last few years of their life. It is important that the people of the Hawaiian community malama our Kupuna and make their lives as enjoyable as possible.
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Mahalo to Kumu Kaimana Kong for the information about the overthrow
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