Â
The importance of balance is not a new concept.  Whether it’s something as small as remembering to eat a balanced breakfast or as important as the engineering of a commercial jet, maintaining balance is an essential component in our lives. Steven Izen, the founder of Lokai, learned how important balance was during his freshman year at Cornell University after experiencing a quick shift from total happiness to total sadness. The story of Lokai began as Steven sat on the beach, surrounded by friends and family, thinking about how fortunate he was to be there. Just a few days earlier, he had learned the heart-breaking news that his grandfather had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and it was the first time he truly felt helpless.Â
Steven and his grandfather with their Lokai bracelets
He wondered how some parts of his life could be so on track while others were so broken. That was when he had an epiphany: “life is circular, and throughout your highest highs and lowest lows, it’s important to always remain balanced.” This realization was the driving force behind Lokai. Steven was drawn to the Earth itself, with its natural sensibility of highs and lows, and began his journey to give this sense of balance a physical form. Three years later, after hard work, persistence, and countless hours of research and development, Lokai was born.Â
Lokai, inspired by the Hawaiian word Lokahi meaning unity and to blend opposites, represents our individual pursuits to find balance. The Lokai bracelet is much more than just a simple accessory. It is a constant, wearable reminder to lead a balanced life, staying humble through the highs and hopeful through the lows. To construct the bracelet, Steven used elements from Mount Everest and The Dead Sea to represent his ideas.
Lokai at the Dead Sea
The White Bead– Stay Humble
Carrying water from Mount Everest, the highest point on earth, the white bead is a representation of life’s highest moments.Â
The Black Bead– Stay Hopeful
Placed directly opposite its white counterpart, the black bead holds mud from the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, signifying the difficult moments endured throughout your life.
The Clear Beads– Keep Moving
While life has its highs and lows, every experience in-between is just as meaningful- these points make up the fabric of your story. These beads remind us that clarity is key in times of joy and sadness.
The construction of the bracelet serves as a symbol that life is full of cycles.  There’s a quote that says “life is about the journey, not the destination”, and Steven holds that belief in high regard. Life is marked by highs and lows, and without one we could not appreciate the other. The lokai bracelet is a fashionable reminder that no matter how far the scale may tip in a certain direction, you should always strive for balance.Â
Ashley Greene and Ellie Beltran with their lokais
Lokai has taken off and captured the attention of people of countless demographics. College students started the trend as they could relate to Steven, himself a student, and were full of the same passion and drive. Lokai’s message earned the appeal of adults and kids alike and is now worn by people of all ages. The lokai bracelet is universal and is worn everyday, whether it’s by a baseball player on the pitch, a student to class, a professional at work, a celebrity during an interview, or a group of friends at the beach.
The success of Lokai thus far is encouraging in itself, but the dedication to charity reaffirms Lokai’s message and purpose. 10% of profits are donated to a variety of charitable alliances. The great thing about Lokai’s effort to benefit the community is that it perfectly demonstrates how a low point in Steven’s life, his Grandfather’s diagnosis which was the inspiration for Lokai, is balanced by a high point in being able to give back and help those in need.
I’m honored to be a part of this revolutionary product. Having worn my own Lokai bracelet since the day I got it four months ago, I’ve kept the meaning close to heart as I live my life. This bracelet has offered the opportunity to spread the idea of authenticity and balance to those intrigued.  Now, as a Lokai Local, I have the opportunity to introduce more people to this amazing company.  We all have our own story of balance to tell and wearing a lokai could be your way of sharing yours just like my lokai is mine.  Now’s the time for you to join the Lokai circle and get your own Lokai bracelet!  Auburn students can message me here and our other readers can buy their Lokai here and use the discount code: MADDIE to show that you heard about the story of Lokai on HerCampus!
Wear lokai to remember that life sees many altering moments and it’s how you process them that matters most. Wear it as a reminder that your path is yours and yours alone or give lokai to someone who might do well to remember the value of his or her own personal journey. Wherever your journey takes you, find your balance. Live Lokai.  Â