Hawaiian Customs and

Beliefs Relating to
Pregnancy
Jane G. Stubbert, LPN
NUR 320

Native Hawaiians
O Native Hawaiians, also

known as Kanaka Maoli,

are the indigenous people
of Hawaiian Islands. Their
ancestors were the
original Polynesian who
sailed to Hawaii and
settled the islands around
the 5th Century A.D.

Beliefs on Pregnancy
O As soon as Hawaiian

couple became hapai, a

kahuna pale keiki, or
midwife would tend to
the mothers needs.
O Kahuna pale keiki is
armed with training and
often prescribed certain
foods and avoided others
to prevent birth defects.

Beliefs on Pregnancy
O If an expectant mother finds the thread

knotting or kinking as she saws, she must

smooth out the thread quickly.
O Should not sit in the middle of the doorway
O Should not string or salt fish
O Should a woman become ill during
pregnancy, her child will have a mean
nature
O Whatever special food she desires will be
the childs favorite dish.

Birthing Stones of Kukaniloko

O The Hawaiians believed the Alii was

descended from the Gods. An Alii woman had

the responsibility of going to the royal birthing
stone when labor began. If the mother could
not make it to the stone, her child will not be
Alii.

Hooponopono is a
practice performed between two
or more people with a mediator,
usually an elder in the family, to
clear any negative aspects in life.
The Hawaiians believed that when
something was not right between
people it showed up in a physical
way. For example, a fight can
cause an accident later after the
two people have separated but in
direct result of the fight.To make
sure birthing was smooth,
Hooponopono was preformed
before or in early labor.

Labor and Delivery

O During labor, mothers

are surrounded by
family.
O Mother is encouraged
to walk. It is
considered an ill
omen for the baby to
hear sounds of pain. If
pain got too intense,
the Kahuna could
transfer pain onto self
or others.

Labor and Delivery

O Young leaves of beach morning

O
O

O
O

glory, Pohuehue is used as

medicine for labor.
Kahuna would ask for 8 leaves,
16 or 24
Had to be picked silently, with
half gathered in one hand and
half gathered in the other.
Gatherer prays to Ku and Hina,
god and goddess of medicine.
Leaves are crushed and rubbed
to belly

Labor and Delivery

O Labor techniques:
O Squatting
O Kneeling
O Grabbing hold of a rope
O Wrapping arms around

midwife for support

O Midwife would push on the
mothers abdomen
O Babys arrival is announced
when eyes are seen

Birthing Hut located at Kamokila

Hawaiian Village, a 4-acre historical
and cultural park located in Wailua,
West Kauai, Hawaii. Situated along
the Wailua River.

The Placenta
O Placenta must be

washed, then buried.

O A tree is planted over
the spot and on no
account was it to be
cut down as long as
the child lived.

The Navel Cord

O Piko, a navel cord closely

connects an individual to his /

her kinship and genealogy
O Connects the past and future
O Piko is salted and wrapped up
in a piece of tapa or put in a
bottle.
O Many years after the birth of
the child, the piko is taken by
parents to its resting place.

Postpartum
O Mother stays home for 10

days
O Mother is given warm broth
and herbs
O Abdomen is wrapped with
tapa
O Feast within 24 hours
O Mother is allowed to eat pig
O Mother cuts hair for the
first time to her shoulders

The Newborn
O Hair taboo parents are told in a

dream not to cut babys hair

O Girls hair is well cared and remained
long until time for marriage
O Naming the baby
O Relatives or friends often name a

favorite child after their own name

O Position at birth
O Birthmarks

The Newborn
O Two important

ceremonies:
O Mawaewae to

insure milk to the

Mother
O Ukuhi Weaning
ceremony

References:
O References:

Affonso, D. D., Mayberry, L. J., Graham, K.,

Shibuya, J., & Kunimoto, J. (2013). Prenatal and
Pospartum Care in Hawaii: A community based
approach. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, &
Neonatal Nursing, 22(4), 320-328.
Green, L. C., & Beckwith, M. W. (1924). Hawaiian
customs and beliefs relating to birth and infancy.
American Anthropologist, 26(2), 230-246.