King Kualiʻi Model of Leadership

A god, one of supernatural power…a messenger from heaven…a stranger from Kahiki (Beckwith 1970)

Kūali‘i was born at Kalapawai, Kailua, Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu. His piko-cutting ceremony was announced by the sacred drums ‘Ōpuku and Hāwea and conducted at ‘Alāla Heiau above Pu‘u o Ehu Kuali’i which is today is commonly named “Lanikai point”.  He was super athletic with badass fighting skills, and a “swift runner” who ran around the island of Oahu five times in a single day.

Legends told of how he and only two fellow warriors defeated an army of twelve thousand men.  Let’s just say that King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans don’t have anything on Kualiʻi.  Not only was he a successful chief, but before Kamehameha the Great came on the scene in Hawaii, Kualiʻi conquered almost all the islands.

The “Disguised Champion” Leadership Model

You are the leader of your life, just like you are the hero of your own story.  Many people believe that in order to be a leader, one must be at the front of the lines, charismatic, popular, or even make a lot of money and have a lot of possessions.

Kualiʻi had a different approach.

With his stature and skills of a warrior, Kualiʻi was seen as the “disguised champion,” a term that can be found in many Hawaiian and Polynesian stories.  The leadership model of “Disguised Champion” is illustrated by him not wanting to go into battle as himself, a chief.

Instead, Kualiʻi goes into battle as just another warrior but each time brings back the feather cloak the opponents leader showing victory.  Not only did Kualiʻi use this as a strategy of war but it showed an important aspect of leadership, ha’aha’a. 

As a leader and chief, he didn’t want all the credit and glory, but instead wanted to share it with others.  Why? George Kanahele wrote in his book Kū Kanaka, he shared the glory “because he is content with his achievement and needs no more validation.”  Leaders are dedicated towards helping others succeed in life and not to puff their own pride and self-worth.

An olelo no’eau states:

Ku’ia ka hele a ka na’au ha’aha’a
A humble person walks carefully so he will not hurt those about him (Puku’i)

This means to not walk over people and make them feel inferior.  That’s not a leader, that’s arrogance of someone who is insecure and needs to validate who they are by feeling more superior than others.

Be A Leader Amongst Your Family and Community

We all have a different groups we interact with.

We have work, family, friends, our community, people we know from the gym, practice (jiu jitsue, softball league, paddling), or people we see out in the ocean during our surf session.  The best way to start becoming a leader, is by being humble and setting an example through your actions and the way you hold yourself.

Help others realize their strengths, recognize their accomplishments, and continue to build upon your own skills of being a badass warrior like Kualiʻi.

What’s the difference between being being humble and being submissive?