In this episode, we sit down with longtime Hawaiʻi attorney, Kevin Wakayama, to explore how a heart-led approach has shaped his decades of legal practice. From his roots on Kauaʻi to studying law during the Vietnam War, Kevin shares pivotal moments of his life and what led him to choose tax law over criminal law. Rooted in the Aloha Spirit Law and influenced by the late Alvin and Pono Shim, Kevin offers thoughtful reflections on his experiences interlacing aloha into legal work and leadership. He also reminisces about the late 1960s, when as a high school student, he was part of a movement where local visionaries imagined the year 2000 and ways to reach a diversified economy centered on peace through education and value-aligned industries. Whether you're curious about law, committed to social justice, or drawn to Hawaii's history of community leadership, we invite you to pause with Kevin's stories. Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction to Kevin Wakayama 00:50 Becoming an attorney: Kauaʻi to college during the Vietnam War 03:57 Choosing tax law over criminal law 04:51 The Aloha Spirit Law in practice 08:54 Reflections on the Aloha Spirit and community 21:21 Aiming for Prosperity in 1969: economic development and education in Hawaii 36:23 Aloha in action 39:53 Advice for aspiring legal professionals 42:48 Closing thoughts
In this episode, we sit down with longtime Hawaiʻi attorney, Kevin Wakayama, to explore how a heart-led approach has shaped his decades of legal practice. From his roots on Kauaʻi to studying law during the Vietnam War, Kevin shares pivotal moments of his life and what led him to choose tax law over criminal law. Rooted in the Aloha Spirit Law and influenced by the late Alvin and Pono Shim, Kevin offers thoughtful reflections on his experiences interlacing aloha into legal work and leadership. He also reminisces about the late 1960s, when as a high school student, he was part of a movement where local visionaries imagined the year 2000 and ways to reach a diversified economy centered on peace through education and value-aligned industries. Whether you're curious about law, committed to social justice, or drawn to Hawaii's history of community leadership, we invite you to pause with Kevin's stories.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Introduction to Kevin Wakayama
00:50 Becoming an attorney: Kauaʻi to college during the Vietnam War
03:57 Choosing tax law over criminal law
04:51 The Aloha Spirit Law in practice
08:54 Reflections on the Aloha Spirit and community
21:21 Aiming for Prosperity in 1969: economic development and education in Hawaii
36:23 Aloha in action
39:53 Advice for aspiring legal professionals
42:48 Closing thoughts