Nānā i ke kumu is the Hawaiian saying that translates to “look to the source.” It encourages us to look to our ancestors, to nature, and to God for guidance, help, and love. 

“Nānā” means – to look, observe, to pay attention to 

“ke kumu” means – teacher, beginning, source, or origin 

Therefore, nana i ke kumu reminds us to find, look, and pay attention to the source, origin, and beginning.

What “Nānā i ke kumu” means to me

Growing up in Hawaii, whenever I heard this saying, it reminded me to always remember God. He gives us life, love, and light.

As I look to him, I can find happiness and purpose in being here.

I understand that his plan is greater than my own. As I learn to trust and look to him, I have no reason to fear.

However, I would be incorrect if I said that this saying only directs us to God.

I’ve met many Hawaiians and locals who translate this saying into following their ancestors or exploring nature.

I think these are also wonderful ways to find guidance and peace.

So how does this saying help you? Why should you “Nānā i ke kumu?”

Obviously we don’t learn something from reading it alone. By applying what you learn from this, you can find guidance, peace, and belonging.

If you’re struggling to find your path right now, feel discouraged, or just need a motivation boost, looking to the source can help you.

I’m actually writing this as the world turns its head to the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Riots, looting, and violence broke out in the streets, interrupting peaceful protests and dishonoring the innocent lives of those who were unjustly killed.

As I watched everything unfold, my head whirled a thousand times.

The confusion and anger rose within me. Then I paused, took a deep breath, and came right back to this: Look to the source.

It kept me grounded.

When the world is in turmoil, and when wars and disasters occur, what do you do? How do you find peace?

People panicked, were outraged, or shocked. They didn’t know what to do.

And that included myself! But I went back to this saying and gained CLARITY. I realized this: When we look back to our ancestors, to God, and to nature, we see what really matters.

I spent time praying, taking quiet time outside in nature, and reflecting on my ancestors’ experiences.

And I discovered this. At the heart of all that’s going on, this is what matters:

We create our own stories.

Even when we look back at our ancestors and their stories, we honor them by creating our lives. If their actions aren’t what we’d be proud of, then we should do something that THEY can look up to US for.

As I pondered on my ancestors’ experiences, especially the cultural trauma that the Hawaiian people suffered, I felt a connection with the black people suffering now.

We should be grateful for the hardships our ancestors went through, as they inspire US to get through our own and take advantage of the opportunities they didn’t have. As I said before: WE create our OWN stories.

I wouldn’t have gained that clarity without looking to God and trusting in him, reflecting on the lives of my own ancestors, or taking quiet time out in nature.

So if YOU are seeking answers to some of life’s difficult questions, look to the source–THIS is why it matters.

Clarity, guidance, and peace are available to us when we focus on the source.

Here are some ideas to implement this saying, Nānā i ke kumu, into your life. 

Look to your ancestors 

When we look back at those who came before us, it helps give us a sense of place.

Finding our “sense of place” is a commonly used phrase in Hawaii, maybe because so many people feel out of place, including myself at some points in life.

With multiple opinions of politics, a diversity of cultures, and conflicting views about tourism and the economy, people can easily feel out of place in Hawaii–or anywhere you might live!

Even those who grew up in Hawaii—and are as every bit Hawaiian in a cultural sense—but aren’t of Hawaiian descent can feel out of place. 

(Side story: I went to a private school for Hawaiians, and could only imagine the struggle of those with blonde hair and blue eyes, who didn’t “look” Hawaiian, but were every bit Hawaiian–maybe more than myself!)

So how can we look to our ancestors to find our sense of place?

Having Hawaiian ancestry doesn’t automatically give us a sense of place. After all, Hawaiians are a tiny minority of the human population.

Actually, we need to understand that this saying doesn’t just apply to Hawaiian ancestry. It applies to everyone! We can ask simple questions about our ancestors, and when we learn more about them, we learn more about ourselves.

What did our ancestors like? What did they sacrifice? Where did they come from? Why did they make the decisions they made? What cultural traditions did they uphold? Which religion did they practice? Why? Did they have notable strengths? Or weaknesses? 

When we learn these little details about our ancestors, it’s like a flame within us grows.

We come to see how their stories influence our own. It gives us a sense of belonging, of ‘ohana. 

We desire to be better, because they were better.

We celebrate our heritage, our culture, our ethnicity.

When we come across their struggles and losses, we mourn with them.

And then we rejoice in their successes. If they could do it, we can too!

Nana i ke kumu encourages us to look back in order to look forward.

We admire our ancestors for getting us to where we are today. We feel closer to them and let their lives inspire our own. 

If you struggle to know how or where to get started, here is a helpful family history website I use to find and record information about my ancestors!

Look to nature 

Many Hawaiians and locals feel connected to nature. When I moved around and traveled to big cities, I finally understood why people LOVE visiting Hawaii. It’s literally a fresh breath of air!

Cities and communities can feel cramped and claustrophobic.

But when you go to the islands, the sun greets you with its warm rays, the tradewinds blow a gentle breeze through the palm trees, and the crystal blue water laps on the shore with grace.

It’s breathtaking. 

It’s also humbling. When was the last time you took a hike in the mountains and breathed the fresh air? Or took a stroll down the street in the sunlight?

When you go out in nature, do you feel the quiet, the peace, and the respect? 

It’s been said that nature, in all its forms, does not rebel against God. Every plant, animal, rock, and coral submits to the will of God, so when you are around them, you feel peace. They aren’t trying to force their own ideas and agendas on God, as we humans often do.

They celebrate, praise, and worship God by fulfilling the measure of their creation. 

As humans, we can feel this quiet serenity in nature. Let it humble us, remind us to be grateful, and teach us valuable life lessons. 

Whenever I go out into nature, I feel SO grateful to be alive. I actually FEEL more alive! The same feelings can happen for you, but it’s up to YOU to get out in nature first.

If you want to learn a little more about the song of nature, check out the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, as well as Walt Whitman. They were the great transcendentalists who appreciated the peace of nature. Their poetry beautifully illustrates the solace of nature. 

Even better than reading their poetry, however, is to go out to experience nature yourself. Nana i ke kumu. Find tranquility by listening to the sounds and breathing the fresh air of nature. 

Look to God

When we look to God as the source, we learn that his ways are better than ours. His plans are more grand and joyful than we ever imagined. He is the source of knowledge, truth, and light. 

When we look to him, we change things in our lives to align with his will. We become more humble, submissive, and childlike. More aloha flows into our lives. 

If we focus on him, we recognize who we truly are: his sons and daughters.

We are royalty.

When our self worth and confidence increases, our ability to spread light and love increases too. 

Soon, our path is laid before us. It isn’t always easy, but looking to the source, the beginning, the origin of our lives, helps give us perspective.

This life isn’t forever, but with God’s help, we can truly make the most of it. 

Nana i ke kumu 

Look to the source. Remember your ancestors for strength and sense of place. Find peace and gratitude in nature. Look to God for direction and purpose. When we nana i ke kumu, we discover our sense of place.

We begin to create paradise wherever we are. 

What will you do to look to the source? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

With aloha and joy, 

Leialoha 

Your turn! How do you look to the source?

Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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