In this reflective episode, Hye Jung Kim Tano and Miki Tomita Okamoto of Education Incubator come together to share the story of their interwoven careers and their commitment to carrying forward Uncle Pono Shim’s aloha teachings. Hye Jung reflects on finding a sense of "home" in Hawaii and her journey to meeting Miki at the University of Hawaii Lab School - where their shared vision, dedication to students, and sense of humor sparked the beginning of their work together at Education Incubator (EI). EI is a Hawaii-based nonprofit that focuses on innovation, curriculum development, and professional development, encouraging youth and educators to become agents of change. Hye Jung and Miki look back on Hokulea’s Worldwide Voyage with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, sharing about the early days of Google Hangouts streaming video from the canoe's crew to classrooms around the planet. They also reminisce about Uncle Pono’s surprise visits to their office, caring for him during his cancer journey through healing foods, and the solace that Hye Jung still finds at Ala Moana Beach after his passing. This episode is an invitation into laughter, tears, and an exploration of aloha through the full acceptance of one another (and ourselves) as caring, conflicted humans. Episode Highlights 1:18 The gifted story from Uncle Pono to Hye Jung 2:52 Hye Jung's origin story - South Korea to Hawaii 4:00 Hawaii is home 5:50 Becoming an educator 6:59 Meeting Miki Tomita Okamoto at UH Lab School 11:50 Project Pono, Polynesian Voyaging Society, interwoven career value and interests 14:57 Trust and shared vision 16:46 Memories with students 19:45 Adventures on Hokulea's Worldwide Voyage 24:30 Launching Education Incubator and running Google trainings across the state 29:40 Navigating Foundation of Aloha Navigators - pandemic pivots 37:23 Hye Jung meeting Uncle Pono at DoFest in California 41:34 Being present together and the Uncle Pono's jam 44:16 Swimming at Ala Moana Beach, gaining trust 49:32 A special bond 50:37 Comfort foods during Uncle Ponoʻs cancer treatment (toast!) 53:40 Acceptance of the full range of emotions 55:27 Practicing aloha as caring, conflicted humans 58:26 Openness to the unexpected lessons 1:00:49 The last weekend at Kuliouou Beach Park with Uncle Nainoa Thompson, Uncle Pono and Miki
In this reflective episode, Hye Jung Kim Tano and Miki Tomita Okamoto of Education Incubator come together to share the story of their interwoven careers and their commitment to carrying forward Uncle Pono Shim’s aloha teachings. Hye Jung reflects on finding a sense of "home" in Hawaii and her journey to meeting Miki at the University of Hawaii Lab School - where their shared vision, dedication to students, and sense of humor sparked the beginning of their work together at Education Incubator (EI). EI is a Hawaii-based nonprofit that focuses on innovation, curriculum development, and professional development, encouraging youth and educators to become agents of change. Hye Jung and Miki look back on Hokulea’s Worldwide Voyage with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, sharing about the early days of Google Hangouts streaming video from the canoe's crew to classrooms around the planet.
They also reminisce about Uncle Pono’s surprise visits to their office, caring for him during his cancer journey through healing foods, and the solace that Hye Jung still finds at Ala Moana Beach after his passing. This episode is an invitation into laughter, tears, and an exploration of aloha through the full acceptance of one another (and ourselves) as caring, conflicted humans.
Episode Highlights
1:18 The gifted story from Uncle Pono to Hye Jung
2:52 Hye Jung's origin story - South Korea to Hawaii
4:00 Hawaii is home
5:50 Becoming an educator
6:59 Meeting Miki Tomita Okamoto at UH Lab School
11:50 Project Pono, Polynesian Voyaging Society, interwoven career value and interests
14:57 Trust and shared vision
16:46 Memories with students
19:45 Adventures on Hokulea's Worldwide Voyage
24:30 Launching Education Incubator and running Google trainings across the state
29:40 Navigating Foundation of Aloha Navigators - pandemic pivots
37:23 Hye Jung meeting Uncle Pono at DoFest in California
41:34 Being present together and the Uncle Pono's jam
44:16 Swimming at Ala Moana Beach, gaining trust
49:32 A special bond
50:37 Comfort foods during Uncle Ponoʻs cancer treatment (toast!)
53:40 Acceptance of the full range of emotions
55:27 Practicing aloha as caring, conflicted humans
58:26 Openness to the unexpected lessons
1:00:49 The last weekend at Kuliouou Beach Park with Uncle Nainoa Thompson, Uncle Pono and Miki