As a value, ‘Ike loa urges us to know our business and our people well, being complete in our learning about them. The literal translation of ‘Ike loa is “long (loa) on knowledge (‘ike)”— it’s a great example of kaona, where hidden meaning is much deeper and more profound; know well. We speak of this value proactively in Managing with Aloha, defining it as “to seek knowledge and wisdom.” Therefore, ‘Ike loa is normally thought of as the value of complete learning and new discovery, where life-long learning and the seeking of more knowledge is an on-going passion. (Review value 5, Kūlia i ka nu‘u in regard to continuous improvement.)
From Managing with Aloha (Chapter 11 preamble):
‘Ike loa
To know well
To seek knowledge and wisdom
‘Ike loa is the value of learning; “be long on knowledge.” Seek knowledge proactively and as nourishment, for new knowledge is the food for mind, heart and soul.
Learning inspires us, it stokes those fires of inner spirit, and with ‘Ike loa we constantly give birth to new creative possibilities.
‘Ike loa promotes learning in the ‘Ohana; we must incorporate the seeking of knowledge and wisdom into our business plan and into our daily practice.
‘Ike loa is to know well, and knowing others well enhances our relationships and broadens our prospects. We find we learn best through our interactions with other people.
‘Ike loa. Pursue wisdom. Learn and know well.
Continue your learning!
For a brief, single-page listing of all 19 Hawaiian Values of ALOHA within the Managing with Aloha philosophy, see The 19 Values of Aloha.
For more about values and why we choose them, see Let’s Define Values.
This is the Site Index of articles which include ‘IKE LOA, with comment boxes for questions, stories, and our continued learning from each other: When people speak, they give voice to values, and their personal expression of them. In Hawai‘i, we call this expression their mana‘o.
Here is an example of our Managing with Aloha value-mapping: Read about ‘IKE LOA as the value guidance of a Conversational Workplace, in the context of The Daily Five Minutes practice: D5M: The Daily Five Minutes (Link to RosaSay.com).
Buy the book!
Managing with Aloha is a book designed to be written in, and used as both learning resource and personal workbook. Managing with Aloha is our philosophy bible, and this site can be thought of as the sequel to the book, where you are now the featured star.