What was the average lifespan of a man and woman in ancient Hawaii?
The average age of death of early Hawaiians was about 30 years, males 32 years and females 29 years. What kind of diseases if any, did the ancient Hawaiians suffer from? In general, the early Hawaiians enjoyed good health. But examination of the skeletal remains revealed that 96% of the male adults and 88% of the female adults suffered from osteoporosis (means porosities of the bone) mostly confined to the bones of the head and face. Such porosity was known in the remains of American imprisoned in the Korean War, who suffered from poor diets for up to 1-1/2 years. It is thought that the Hawaiians may have suffered dietary deficiencies especially during times of famine. For example, the Hawaiians had no other fruit other than the mountain apple and plantain as possible sources of vitamin C. The effects of these deficiencies have been noted in various stages of bone deterioration in Hawaiian jaws. Cultural Corner Part Two (referenced from “Feathered Gods and Fishhooks”, an introduction t
