The Two Voyages with Pono Shim [2022]

In this episode, we revisit one of Uncle Pono Shim’s Zoom presentations, recorded on February 24, 2022. Shared with a group of Hawaiʻi filmmakers, the session centers on the teachings of Aunty Pilahi Paki and the stories that shaped his life. He reflects on being 13 years old in 1976, going on a walk with Aunty Pilahi and learning the values that would guide his way of thinking. He explore the meaning behind ALOHA: Akahai (meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness), Lokahi (unity, to be expressed with harmony), Oluolu (agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness), Haahaa (humility, to be expressed with modesty), and Ahonui (patience, to be expressed with perseverance).

Uncle Pono also shares the story of the two canoes - the physical voyage of Hokulea and a second, spiritual canoe with no map; he describes ALOHA itself as the vessel for this journey. Aunty Pilahi once said to him, “I’m not going to teach you how to speak Hawaiian, Iʻm going to teach you how to think Hawaiian.” This episode offers a glimpse into what that means, grounded in her prophecy: "“The world will turn to Hawaii as they search for world peace because Hawaii has the key… and that key is aloha." Mahalo nui loa for listening. 

Episode Highlights

02:39 The Star Compass

11:39 1961 - Aunty Pilahi Pakiʻs story, the "librarian" of Hawaii's secrets

17:53 1976 - Pono Shim's story with Aunty Pilahi at age 13

30:00 Aunty Pilahi Paki's ALOHA  - Ahonui, Lokahi, Oluolu, Haahaa, Akahai

40:40 Stories as laau lapaau (medicine)

41:24 2018 - Navigators and Peace Seekers

45:19 1976 - The Two Voyages: synchronicity with Hokulea and Nainoa Thompson

• First canoe: Physical waa - the manifestation of awakening and recovery
• Second canoe: Spiritual waa - the walk, the talk, ha, and no instruction manual. "ALOHA is the largest voyaging canoe in the world"

49:40 Two objectives in every story

50:30 "Weʻre not a project, we're the resource" 

More ALOHA Resources:

• Pono Shim Videos and Presentations
• Foundation of Aloha with Education Incubator
   

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.