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Hawaiian Weddings

Similar to most of the nations having centuries of traditions behind them, Hawaiian weddings are also a colorful profusion of traditions and cultural elements complemented with rituals intended to bring in fortune, luck and happiness to couples who are going to tie a knot.

The Hawaiian brides, traditionally, wear a white holoku (traditional Hawaiian wedding dress) with flowers in her hair as well. Her male counterpart wears a white shirt along with white pants and colorful sash. If, the wedding takes place in the house the couple may avoid any footwear otherwise casual footwear is used.

Another famous, Hawaiian symbol is leis (traditional flower garlands worn around the neck). For wedding ceremony two maile leis usually made of fragrant flowers, and green leaves are especially ordered for both the grooms and brid. It is a symbol of mutual welcoming, the life partners, and it is also considered as a metaphorical representation of the island people’s relationship with nature. Both leis are different in terms of flowers woven in them; the bride’s lei have white jasmine and the groom’s have ilima (Sida fallax). Both the mother-in-laws also wear especially made leis which have an abundance of jasmine. Some organizers order leis for every guest as well.

The announcement of a Hawaiian wedding is done by three consecutive blowing of a conch shell to summon Lord’s support and presence in the wedding. The effects of other customs (notably Filipino, Chinese and Japanese) are also very evident in Hawaiian weddings. Therefore, it is very common to witness 1001 origami cranes or fireworks intended to thwart evil spirits away. Pandango (originally a Filipino traditional wedding dance) also known as money dance is also performed in many weddings which encircle the couple with a string of taped money usually provided by the wedding guests.

The effects of other cultures, as a consequence of globalization, are evident in Hawaii as well, and one of these “foreign” influences is wedding cake. Hawaiian cakes are usually made of wheat flour symbolizing the beginning of a new relationship together. This relationship is further strengthened by sharing the knife for cake cutting and presenting the first slice to each other after which each guest a presented with a piece.

Swine Flu

The H1N1 virus (swine influenza) is a novel infection that has not earlier been known in North America. It has recently, however, infected a number of people in the United States and Mexico. Swine flu is actually a respiratory virus of pigs which was first identified in 1918 and although historic diffusion to human beings has been sporadic, the infection rate in humans is intensifying at present (Barnes, 2008).

The H1N1 virus, just like seasonal influenza, is simply spread by the minute drops in a sneeze or cough. The person infected may cough into an empty space but it will leave microorganisms (germs) on the place that can easily be picked by the other person by touching that place.

The major symptoms of swine influenza are reported to include chills, dyspnea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, and fatigue. The chances of having Conjunctivitis is uncommon, but has been reported in some cases. Other symptoms include mild illness of respiratory track like nasal blocking and rhino rhea without temperature. In very rare cases sporadic severe diseases like pneumonia and respiratory failure also has been reported. Approximately thirty to fifty percent of the severe and deadly swine flu infections have been among young and middle-aged people who were previously in good physical shape (Barnes, 2008).

History of Swine flu

The Influenza outbreak of 1918, also remembered as the “Spanish” flu strain, and graded as an epidemic, is believed to have infected more than thirty percent of the total population of the world and became the source of as many as fifty million fatalities (Barnes, 2008). The death figure, according to the United States Center for Disease Control, could have been almost twice that since a number of people departed their life in that era were not actually diagnosed, nor were any samples of blood taken for testing and identification of the infection in the laboratory.

The rising rate of the swine flu infection rate has forced WHO to raise the level of the swine flu alert to its extreme alert level of Phase six from Phase five. The WHO, by moving up to its maximum alert level is signifying the fact that a worldwide epidemic might be under way. The severity of the virus, at this initial stage however, can be described internationally as being moderate.

Steps taken to control the epidemic

The Government, in order to control the spread of the endemic, has extended the authority of health officials and representatives to force the infected people and those who have been in a very close contact with somebody who has swine flu infection to be quarantined at home. This also includes forced barring of students and teachers from educational institutes.

(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090428222627.html)

This authority, however, has not considered necessary to be used since everyone who has been requested to segregate themselves has done so willingly and voluntarily.

Tony Ryall, the Health Minister has lately announced that The H1N1 virus -swine flu has been added to the health policies covering diseases that are notifiable and transmittable. The health ministry has informed the educational institutes to be ready for unexpected closures that could last more than a few weeks, and to have discussions with parents about distant learning.

References

Barnes, Ethne (2008); Diseases and Human Evolution; Published by UNM Press,

Science Daily (Apr. 28, 2009); Swine Flu Outbreak Continues To Grow, As Worldwide Pandemic Alert Level Raised To Phase 6 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090428222627.html