In this reflection episode of Above the Sides, the late Pono Shim shares the personal origin story behind his lifelong aloha practice. Recorded from a 2020 Zoom conversation, Uncle Pono reflects on a formative walk with his great-aunt, Pilahi Paki, who taught him not how to speak Hawaiian, but how to “think Hawaiian” through presence, humility, and intentional practice. Through stories of his ʻohana, silence, and real-world experiences, he shares how he navigated aloha as a lived practice - a way of responding to life with awareness and connection. Mahalo for tuning in. Episode Highlights 01:04 ʻOhana roots and influences 02:20 Early lessons 04:14 The walk that changed everything 05:17 "Think Hawaiian" 07:17 Three layers of meaning 09:53 Aloha practice: Ahonui to Lokahi 15:26 Permission to share the teachings 16:36 Lifetime discipline of aloha 17:51 Hiking Koko Head - a revelation 21:05 Practicing in silence 24:24 Real-world case study 26:52 Presence
In this reflection episode of Above the Sides, the late Pono Shim shares the personal origin story behind his lifelong aloha practice. Recorded from a 2020 Zoom conversation, Uncle Pono reflects on a formative walk with his great-aunt, Pilahi Paki, who taught him not how to speak Hawaiian, but how to “think Hawaiian” through presence, humility, and intentional practice. Through stories of his ʻohana, silence, and real-world experiences, he shares how he navigated aloha as a lived practice - a way of responding to life with awareness and connection. Mahalo for tuning in.
Episode Highlights
01:04 ʻOhana roots and influences
02:20 Early lessons
04:14 The walk that changed everything
05:17 "Think Hawaiian"
07:17 Three layers of meaning
09:53 Aloha practice: Ahonui to Lokahi
15:26 Permission to share the teachings
16:36 Lifetime discipline of aloha
17:51 Hiking Koko Head - a revelation
21:05 Practicing in silence
24:24 Real-world case study
26:52 Presence