In this special long-form episode of Above the Sides, we share the final public talk given by Pono Shim, recorded at the 2022 IVAT Hawaii International Summit shortly before his passing. Camille Rocket opens by reflecting on Pono’s profound impact as a teacher, mentor, and friend before Pono shares stories of his life and his lifelong journey of aloha. As 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Hokulea’s first modern voyage to Tahiti, Pono reveals the story of two parallel voyages that began in 1976: the physical voyage of Hokulea and his own spiritual voyage aboard what he came to understand as the canoe of aloha. Through stories of Auntie Pilahi Paki, Mau Piailug, Nainoa Thompson, and his many teachers, Pono uncovers connection and resilience, offering an invitation to carry aloha forward. Mahalo for listening. Episode Highlights 00:00 IVAT Summit Introduction 01:41 Camille Rockett honors Pono Shim 03:59 Aloha as Healing 06:37 Pono Takes the Stage 12:37 Earth Day and DoFest 16:55 Naming Navigators and Peaceseekers 19:15 Muir Woods Silence 22:49 The Scarred Redwood 25:31 Mentoring Mary 29:48 Ahonui in Crisis 34:45 Stories That Calm 37:16 Trauma to Joy 39:56 Connection > Correction 40:04 Mau Piailug and Wayfinding Revival 41:39 Hokulea 44:08 Supply Chain of Aloha 47:39 Aunty Pilahi Paki 49:15 Prophecy: Aloha as the Key 52:41 Learning to "Think Hawaiian" 54:45 Five Elements of Aloha 56:02 Practice and Permission 57:49 The Razor's Edge 01:05:55 Carrying Aloha Forward Watch on Youtube: Pono Shim at IVAT's 19th Hawai'i International Summit Closing Plenary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k6afO5B2N0
In this special long-form episode of Above the Sides, we share the final public talk given by Pono Shim, recorded at the 2022 IVAT Hawaii International Summit shortly before his passing. Camille Rocket opens by reflecting on Pono’s profound impact as a teacher, mentor, and friend before Pono shares stories of his life and his lifelong journey of aloha. As 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Hokulea’s first modern voyage to Tahiti, Pono reveals the story of two parallel voyages that began in 1976: the physical voyage of Hokulea and his own spiritual voyage aboard what he came to understand as the canoe of aloha. Through stories of Auntie Pilahi Paki, Mau Piailug, Nainoa Thompson, and his many teachers, Pono uncovers connection and resilience, offering an invitation to carry aloha forward. Mahalo for listening.
Episode Highlights
00:00 IVAT Summit Introduction
01:41 Camille Rockett honors Pono Shim
03:59 Aloha as Healing
06:37 Pono Takes the Stage
12:37 Earth Day and DoFest
16:55 Naming Navigators and Peaceseekers
19:15 Muir Woods Silence
22:49 The Scarred Redwood
25:31 Mentoring Mary
29:48 Ahonui in Crisis
34:45 Stories That Calm
37:16 Trauma to Joy
39:56 Connection > Correction
40:04 Mau Piailug and Wayfinding Revival
41:39 Hokulea
44:08 Supply Chain of Aloha
47:39 Aunty Pilahi Paki
49:15 Prophecy: Aloha as the Key
52:41 Learning to "Think Hawaiian"
54:45 Five Elements of Aloha
56:02 Practice and Permission
57:49 The Razor's Edge
01:05:55 Carrying Aloha Forward
Watch on Youtube: Pono Shim at IVAT's 19th Hawai'i International Summit Closing Plenary