Ikaika, strength

Welina me ke aloha e nā hoa aloha! In the spirit of e ola ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i, the Hawaiian Language lives, I share with a Hawaiian word for today, Ikaika. Now many of us understand this word ikaika to mean strong or strength. Pololei, absolutely correct. Ikaika has other meanings as well - stalwart, sturdy, powerful, force, energy and might. Ikaika 'o ia. He or she is strong. Nui kona ikaika. She has great strenght. Ikaika can also mean potent. Ikaika ka mea 'inu. The drink is strong or potent. Ho'oikaika means to strengthen, make a great effort, work hard, encourage. Now time for the application. How do we apply this concept of ikaika into our own lives? As we face life's challenges, we need to draw upon the ikaika within each of us. We never know what trials are coming our way and what we are about to face, whether it be physical challenges, heartbreak or disappointment, we need to constantly make an effort to ho'oikaika, strengthen ourselves each day. As we find ways to ho'oikaika both physically and spiritually, we are better prepared to meet those challenges that creep up on us out of nowhere and at times catch us of guard. When we have reserves of ikaika o loko, inner strength, we can draw upon it even in our most difficult times. Our kahua, our foundation needs to be ikaika, strong and immovable so that, like the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, "when upon life's billows we are tempest tossed, do not be discouraged thinking all is lost." So just how do we ho'oikaika and prepare a solid kahua for ourselves? Let's continue to explore our language tomorrow for some answers. No laila, e ho'olohe mai, so don't forget to listen in! Aloha nō, a hui hou.

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