Leadership isn't about titles, positions, or paychecks. It is about influence, rooted in selflessness and foresight. From a Hawaiian perspective, true leadership begins in the gut, the na‘au, where generosity, benevolence, and open-heartedness meet logic and foresight. To Think Hawaiian about leadership is to cultivate he ‘ōpū hālau, a heart as big as a house, guided by both instinct and mind.
What Leadership Really Means
John Maxwell once said, “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” We experience leadership in workplaces, communities, families, and friendships. Too often we confuse position, authority, or even age with leadership. Hawaiian wisdom reminds us: how we make others feel is what defines true leadership.
What Does Not Make a Leader
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Having a title does not make you a leader.
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Managing people does not make you a leader.
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Earning more money does not make you a leader.
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Being told or telling yourself you are a leader does not make it true.
So what does make a great leader? Hawaiian language and tradition point us toward the answers.
Alaka‘i: To Lead the Way
In Hawaiian, alaka‘i means “to lead the way.” The true leader goes first, faces threats directly, and provides protection for others. Like the point person moving through a doorway or the lead cyclist cutting the wind, leadership requires courage and responsibility.
We see this principle come alive in history and storytelling. In Chief of War, Ka‘iana risks his life so his family can escape danger, while Kamehameha quietly plans ahead for food security. Both embody foresight, sacrifice, and a desire for peace.
E ‘Ōpū Ali‘i: The Heart of a Chief
The proverb E ‘Ōpū Ali‘i means “Have the heart of a chief.” It describes the generosity, kindness, and benevolence expected of great leaders. Interestingly, ‘ōpū means stomach, not heart, reminding us that Hawaiian thought locates wisdom and emotion in the gut, the na‘au.
Western science has only recently caught up to this idea. Our gut-brain often reacts first, sending signals upward to the head-brain. For Hawaiians, the na‘au has always been the seat of instinct, generosity, and emotional wisdom.
To lead well is to listen to your gut, then balance instinct with logic. Leadership is not purely intellectual or purely emotional. It is both.
Three Hawaiian Leadership Principles
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Leadership is influence, not position
How you affect others matters more than titles or authority. -
Lead with your na‘au first, then your mind
Balance instinct and generosity with logic and foresight. -
Extend kindness to everyone, especially opponents
As Miles K. Davis said, “You can tell a bully from a leader by how they treat people who disagree with them.”
Three Ways to Practice Hawaiian Leadership
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Daily Influence Check: Each day, ask: How did my actions make others feel?
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Trust Your Na‘au Process: Notice your gut reaction, then test it with logic.
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Choose Generosity in Conflict: Respond to disagreement with kindness rather than defensiveness.
Leadership in Balance
Many companies run by pure logic achieve financial success but suffer from poor morale. Others that lean only on emotion may feel good but quickly burn out. Hawaiian leadership seeks balance: he ‘ōpū hālau, a heart as big as a house, combined with foresight and discernment.
To Think Hawaiian is to remember that leadership begins in the gut, flows through the heart, and engages the mind. It is not about control but about creating the conditions where people can thrive.
Ready to Bring Hawaiian Leadership to Your Organization?
Kainoa Horcajo helps teams, leaders, and organizations apply Hawaiian philosophy to modern challenges. Through keynotes, workshops, and business seminars, he brings clarity, connection, and culture into leadership and operations.
👉 Invite Kainoa to Speak or Facilitate a Workshop
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