This episode is dedicated to all the students graduating in Spring 2021. Congratulations! We honor you and your efforts to better Hawaii and the world. This story is a favorite of many of Pono Shim's students so at the request of others, we made it into a podcast episode. The original script is from Pono's Chaminade University commencement speech in 2018. Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to

uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for

this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the

Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of

what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle.

It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an

advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen

Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what

is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable –

that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but

One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective,

the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of

Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have

chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.