In celebration of our 4th anniversary of "Above the Sides," we eagerly welcome Oahu Economic Development Board member, Robin Campaniano to this episode. In this conversation, we discuss his people-first approach to business and envisioning a prosperous Hawaii economy. Robin reflects on his long-standing friendship with Pono Shim, exploring how their intertwined careers have shaped his philosophy of aloha. Robin’s influence in Hawaii’s business community is extensive; he previously served as President and CEO of AIG Hawaii Insurance Company,   Insurance Commissioner for the State of Hawaii, and District Director and Counsel for the Small Business Administration’s Honolulu Office. Most recently, he was selected as a member of the Governor's Climate Advisory Team. To give a glimpse into his world, Robin ideates about the power of observation in business, the significance of sharing meals together, the impact of Hawaii's small community culture on economic decisions (from tourism to military), and the integration of aloha into both relationships and written contracts. Robin opens up about his lifelong commitment to living up to the Hawaiian name that Pono gifted to him from the elders -  and his hopefulness in Hawaii's future as we strive to "remember who we are." Mahalo for joining us these last four years as we uncover what it means to think, act and live aloha.

Episode Highlights

0:24 Introduction to Robin Campaniano

1:41 Friendship and intertwining careers with Pono Shim

3:35 Pono's approach and sensitivity

4:55 "We Go Eat" - the power of communal meals

6:16 How to do business in Hawaii: welcoming visitors, new residents and colleagues to the islands

8:00 Touching the essence of a person's character to motivate them

8:49 Influences arise years later

10:15 Joining the OEDB board of directors, exploring economic diversity

12:00 Kicking off the New Markets Tax Credits venture

12:44 Observation first

14:30 Career and leadership reflections

16:36 Hawaii is a small community/ island society

17:10 "Pay it forward" - community involvement and service on nonprofit boards

18:20 Hawaii's Climate Advisory Team

20:15: Childhood on Air Force Bases (Japan to New York), graduated from Roosevelt High School

21:58 Bringing the spirit of aloha to the global insurance industry

23:41 Aloha in Action - writing the aloha spirit law into partnership agreements

26:55 Native Hawaiians were intrepid in aquaculture, agriculture and wayfinding

28:57 How do you include the aloha spirit into your written contracts? Establishing the connection

31:21 Balancing tourism and military economic impacts

34:03 Friendship with Pono Shim and being given a Hawaiian name

38:34 Living up to the name

39:16 What is on the horizon?

40:16 Favorite meals with Pono

41:45 A series of memories -

42:55 The influence of Alvin Shim

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.