He Wahi olelo no na makua mea keiki is the first work on pediatrics to be published in Hawaii, issued in an edition of 1,000 copies. It is arranged in just 13 numbered paragraphs spread over 12 pages. Women heavy with child are admonished: "Do not do exhausting work. It is not true that the child will lie straight at birth, if the mother keeps on going and doing." The small pamphlet concludes: "Think, o people of Hawaii nei, and if you know of things that are wrong in the care of children... tell us quickly so that we may print it... If the children were properly cared for, there would not be so many deaths and the number of Hawaiians would increase again." (English translation of quotations from text by Mary Kawena Pukui, found at the Bernice P. Bishop Museum)
English translation of title from Forbes: A Few words for parents with children
English translation used in missionaries minutes: Instructions to parents