Mahalo for tuning in to our first episode of 2025! We are changing up the format of this "Above the Sides" episode to bring you a story that was gifted from Uncle Pono Shim to our dear friend Hye Jung Kim Tano from Education Incubator and Foundations of Aloha. This story is about his experience being part of the groundbreaking ceremony and blessing of the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in 2010 after a major renovation. Hye Jung had the foresight to record her conversation with him in 2020 when he recounted this story to her and that recording is included in this episode. She also gives her backstory about receiving this story from him in the introduction. Mahalo for listening.

Episode Highlights

0:23 Introducing Hye Jung Kim Tano and this special episode

2:15 Hye Jung's backstory of being gifted a story from Uncle Pono Shim in 2020

6:15 Uncle Pono Shim's recording on the blessing of the Kalanianaole Federal Building in 2010

6:39 Being asked to bless the federal building

8:24 History of the federal building and the surrounding land 

10:17 Planning the blessing ceremony

12:02 Receiving a map of Honolulu Harbor in 1810

14:28 Hewahewa Nui and his Kahuna Hale

16:14 Kaaawa and Waialua

18:23 Look deeper

20:49 Meeting John De Fries 

22:28 Strange occurrences at the building during construction and 

23:38 Maile lei 

25:40 Being present and in harmony

26:17 The story underneath

27:56 Finding how and when to share stories

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.