Alaka’i is the Hawaiian word for leader or guide.
A true alaka’i leads by example, living the very principles they teach. There are many alaka’i in this world: parents, teachers, coaches, government leaders, employers, and the list could go on.
The role of an alaka’i is special and deeply important.
The world needs more alaka’i. If we break down the Hawaiian word into two parts, we find an even deeper meaning to the word.
“Ala” means – to rise up or come forward
“ka’i” means – to lead, direct, lift up and carry
Therefore, when we put the whole word together, we get the sense that a true alaka’i rises to the occasion. They come forward to lead, lift, and carry others.
An alaka’i looks only to serve others and become their best self in the process.
An alaka’i is a constant teacher
I’ve taught piano lessons off and on for years. I finally got a job as a piano teacher at a local music school, where we were trained a specific piano teaching method. When I first started teaching the method, I had so many questions.
I felt like the students had gaps in their learning and it was a disservice for me to teach this specific method.
When our trainer traveled to the music school to check up on us, the rest of the piano teachers and I bombarded him with questions. Finally, he paused us and asked this question that stuck with me:
“What is the purpose?”
What did he mean “what is the purpose?” We were doing our best and it was their method that was failing.
But then it hit me. What was my purpose in teaching these kids piano? The teachers had been taught us multiple things with the method, but we still had the freedom of teaching to our students’ needs.
So what was the purpose? I wanted my students to love learning and playing the piano. I wanted them to enjoy the process and recognize that making mistakes is all a part of it.
From then on, I made sure that each activity I did with my students was purposeful, that it would truly help them enjoy learning and motivate them to keep learning.
That changed everything for me.
An alaka’i is full of purpose.
They don’t do things for attention, glory, or popularity. They do things to serve. Their whole purpose is to lift others, not leave them hanging with ignorance or shame. They even carry others, when necessary, empathizing and giving grace in the difficult times of life.
An alaka’i leads by example
Another thing I learned from teaching piano is to be the example.
An alaka’i does what he or she preaches.
They live aloha and promote values of lokahi and laulima.
I couldn’t expect my students to practice the piano if I didn’t practice. I also learned that if I played something sloppy or haphazardly, they would play—and act—that very way.
I wasn’t always a perfect piano teacher, but I tried my best, keeping my purpose in mind, and seeking to lift my students. I also continued to improve myself as a pianist. I played new and harder songs, and even sought lessons from another, more experienced pianist.
Being an alaka’i requires a lot of work, which is why not everyone choose to be a leader. And that’s ok too. We always need a combination of both. But I truly hope that one day, every person can step up to the plate in one way or form.
Whether you are an alaka’i in your family, church, community, or world, I hope you can always seek to serve, to lift, and to carry. A true alaka’i also tries to become their best self, so let us, as alaka’i, strive to do that as well.
With joy + aloha,
Leialoha
Are you an alaka’i?
Let me know in the comments below what you’ve done to be a strong leader!
If you’d like to learn more about the Hawaiian values, check out my 5 Hawaiian Days to Wellness mini course–and it’s totally FREE!
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