In this reflective episode, Hye Jung Kim Tano and Miki Tomita Okamoto of Education Incubator come together to share the story of their interwoven careers and their commitment to carrying forward Uncle Pono Shim’s aloha teachings. Hye Jung reflects on finding a sense of "home" in Hawaii and her journey to meeting Miki at the University of Hawaii Lab School - where their shared vision, dedication to students, and sense of humor sparked the beginning of their work together at Education Incubator (EI). EI is a Hawaii-based nonprofit that focuses on innovation, curriculum development, and professional development, encouraging youth and educators to become agents of change. Hye Jung and Miki look back on Hokulea’s Worldwide Voyage with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, sharing about the early days of Google Hangouts streaming video from the canoe's crew to classrooms around the planet.

They also reminisce about Uncle Pono’s surprise visits to their office, caring for him during his cancer journey through healing foods, and the solace that Hye Jung still finds at Ala Moana Beach after his passing. This episode is an invitation into laughter, tears, and an exploration of aloha through the full acceptance of one another (and ourselves) as caring, conflicted humans.

Episode Highlights

1:18 The gifted story from Uncle Pono to Hye Jung

2:52 Hye Jung's origin story - South Korea to Hawaii

4:00 Hawaii is home

5:50 Becoming an educator

6:59 Meeting Miki Tomita Okamoto at UH Lab School

11:50 Project Pono, Polynesian Voyaging Society, interwoven career value and interests

14:57 Trust and shared vision

16:46 Memories with students

19:45 Adventures on Hokulea's Worldwide Voyage

24:30 Launching Education Incubator and running Google trainings across the state

29:40 Navigating Foundation of Aloha Navigators - pandemic pivots

37:23 Hye Jung meeting Uncle Pono at DoFest in California

41:34 Being present together and the Uncle Pono's jam

44:16 Swimming at Ala Moana Beach, gaining trust

49:32 A special bond

50:37 Comfort foods during Uncle Ponoʻs cancer treatment (toast!)

53:40 Acceptance of the full range of emotions

55:27 Practicing aloha as caring, conflicted humans

58:26 Openness to the unexpected lessons

1:00:49 The last weekend at Kuliouou Beach Park with Uncle Nainoa Thompson, Uncle Pono and Miki 

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.