In this last episode of 2024, we are grateful to share the insights of Herb Lee, Jr., the President and CEO of the Pacific American Foundation (PAF). For over thirty years, the PAF Ohana has served community and youth with comprehensive programs and projects including leadership development, career planning and placement, cultural and environmental stewardship, youth mentorship, and project-based learning. As he reflects on the last 31 years serving Kaneohe (and beyond), Herb shares about how restoration of aina (land; that which feeds) can also heal our connections to community, self and spirit. The foundation for him has, and always will be, aloha. Herb credits his friendship with Pono Shim as a valuable touchpoint throughout his life and career and reflects on their many conversations about Hawaii's future.  We discuss the importance of reclaiming a producer mindset as a foundational element for healthy economic development grounded in Hawaiian values. Our OEDB team extends our gratitude to Herb for his manao in helping guide the Oahu Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with intention and aloha. 

Uncle Herb, we wish you a prosperous retirement!

Episode Highlights

0:23 Introduction

0:51 Waikalua Loko Ia and the Pacific American Foundation

2:02 Friendship with Pono Shim

4:25 The beginnings of a community-focused career 

6:28 Education as critical component in the restoration of Waikalua fishpond; students learning the relevance of their learnings within the context of place

9:36 Pacific American Foundation reflections on the last 30 years: adopting a generational mindset

13:39 Our ancestors are always present

17:24 Optimistic about the future - E Ohana Hou

20:00 Aloha and indigenous wisdom around the world

23:39 What does surrendering during uncertainty look like for you?

26:31 Understanding aloha aina

28:58  Crossroads and finding the way forward

33:15 Education coming full circle: students growing up and contributing to the community

36:12 The producer mindset and culturally-informed economic development

43:35 Envisioning prosperity 

46:27 I ka wa ma mua, i ka wa ma hope: Indigenous knowledge as a balance to technology 

48:07 Retirement - Imua Hou, E Ohana Hou!

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.