Mahalo for tuning in to our 50th episode! For the first time, the Oahu Economic Development Board team - Cat Awakuni Colón (President & CEO), Dori Baba (Operations Manager), Tyler Mejia (Community Outreach & Compliance Specialist), and Molly Mamaril (Community Innovation Connector) - comes together to talk  OEDB’s effort to bring aloha and care into business practices. They share about the origins of the “Above the Sides” podcast and how Pono Shim’s commitment to storytelling continues to drive their approach to community-based economic development and their vision for Hawaii’s future. The team discusses various community-facing programs, offers personal stories, and reflects on striving to live in reverence of aloha in everyday life. The conversation closes with advice for the next generation and what’s ahead for the nonprofit. Mahalo for listening.

Episode Highlights

01:51 Meet the OEDB Team: Cat, Dori, Tyler, Molly

05:11 The Origin Story of 'Above the Sides' Podcast

11:23 Continuing Uncle Pono's Storytelling Legacy

20:58 Vision for Hawaii's Future

24:39 OEDB's Approach to Economic Development

36:28 Personal Stories of Aloha

40:45 Aloha in Pop Culture (Movie Recommendations)

42:22 Reflecting on the Aloha Connects Innovation (ACI) Program

46:14 Honoring Uncle Pono Shim

53:23 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned

58:03 Advice for the Next Generation

01:02:30 Planting Seeds for Hawaii's Future

01:09:05 Favorite Memories and Team Dynamics

01:14:59 On the Horizon

Learn more about the Oahu Economic Development Board: https://www.oedb.biz

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.