‘Ike Loa means to “see much,” encouraging us to keep learning and seek knowledge. Living the value of ‘ike loa means that we are lifelong learners. No matter the age, we can delight in learning new things. 

“‘Ike” – means to see, view, perceive, and experience. 

“Loa” – is the word for plentiful, abundance, and very much. 

Therefore ‘ike loa is to see many things—to experience, learn, delight in, and love life as it happens. 

‘Ike loa reminds me of a person who is childlike, not childish.

The childish want to stay young forever. The childlike are happy to grow older, mature, and embrace the change. The childish think they know enough, while the childlike love learning and expanding their understanding. 

When you live the value of ‘ike loa, you are childlike: full of wonder, thirsty for knowledge, and seeking the abundance the world has to offer. 

‘Imi Ola is the value of seeking life in it’s highest form. These two values sound similar, however, ‘imi ola encourages us to seek our best lives (creating our purpose, expanding our skills, etc) whereas ‘ike loa encourages us to “see much” our entire lives, by committing to be a lifelong learner, childlike, and view all experiences as opportunities to grow.

“Listen to your Kupuna” 

Growing up in Hawaii, this was the old adage people would say at every gathering, family party, or community event. “Listen to your kupuna,” meant to listen to the older folks, those who had lived to a ripe old age and had seen, heard, and experienced more than the rest of us. 

This always bothered me though, especially because most of the kupuna, the old folks, in my life had offered poor advice. Not all of them had poor advice, but most of them acted as the know-it-alls and had one-or-none approaches to things.

Regardless of my personal feelings, I always listened, out of respect and with the knowledge that they had grown up in a completely different time from myself. Their experiences, culture, traditions, and beliefs were different from my own. 

And that’s ok. ‘Ike loa isn’t about listening to everything and obeying everything.

It’s about being willing to understand and withhold judgment.

‘Ike Loa is about still learning, even as you get old. 

I remember talking to a kupuna and sharing with her some of my own views, especially in becoming a creative entrepreneur, making money and inspiring others through writing books and a blog.

With disgust, she shut them down, chastising me for even thinking this a possibility.

To her, women couldn’t survive having their own careers or side businesses. They couldn’t write or speak their mind. She asked, “How could a woman possibly make money being creative?”

Ouch!

But I withheld judgment, knowing that she had grown up in a different time from myself.

I learned a valuable lesson from that old, cynical woman: As I grow in years, I want to always be seeking knowledge and truth. 

I love seeing old people who pick up new talents and hobbies in their later years, or those who start a business after retiring. Why not have a whole third act in life’s journey? 

Today’s culture seems to mock all of us–both young and old–saying things like, “She’s too old to find true love” or “It’s too late for him to start a business now” or “It’s just never going to happen for me.” In a world that devours “30 before 30” or “Forbes Under 40” lists, it’s SO important to remember the value of ‘ike loa.

‘Ike loa is a lifelong journey of learning. It never stops. That doesn’t mean you have to read and study vigorously everyday, but ‘ike loa is the attitude that one always has more to learn. Improvement and knowledge never end in this life. 

Here are more ways to live the value of ‘ike loa. 

Try new things 

I fear that many of us are stuck in routines and careers that aren’t fulfilling.

One way to create the life you want is to try new things.

If I had to name all the things I’ve done and tried before figuring out I wanted to be a writer, you’d laugh. There were so many things! 

But I’m so grateful I tried new things, because all of it led me to what I want to do: write + spread aloha. 

Trying new things also helped me discover what I don’t want to do, and I created ways to do something I’m totally passionate about. I know the same can happen for you!

Keep learning 

If there’s something you always wanted to learn, be open to the wonder of it.

Over the last couple of years, people have created amazing online courses, with hundreds of topics and ideas. With technology and social media you really can create the life you want. As Shakespeare said, “The world is your oyster.” 

Our life is what WE make out of it. If we want it to be amazing, then we need to do amazing things!

If we want it to be adventurous, then we need to do adventurous things!

As we keep learning throughout life, we gain perspective which gives us clarity on what our mission in life is, but it also helps others on their journey.

Remember the abundance mindset 

In our day and culture, it’s easy to get complacent, lazy, and apathetic.

It’s easy to think that since someone else is already doing that thing you want to do, there’s no room for me. 

‘Ike loa is all about the abundance mindset.

It’s knowing that there are limitless possibilities and opportunities. And there is certainly room for everyone! 

I hope you learned a little more about the value of ‘ike loa. I have felt so blessed to implement this in my life. I’ve truly enjoyed learning and being full of wonder.

It’s given me a zest for life, and I know it can do the same for you! 

With aloha and joy, 

Leialoha 

Let’s hear from you!

How will you implement the value of ‘ike loa in your life? Let us know in the comments!

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