Above the Sides

Cultivating an “Above the Sides” Approach with Cat Awakuni Colón, Dori Baba, Tyler Mejia and Molly Mamaril

Episode Summary

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

Episode Notes

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