In this last episode of 2024, we are grateful to share the insights of Herb Lee, Jr., the President and CEO of the Pacific American Foundation (PAF). For over thirty years, the PAF Ohana has served community and youth with comprehensive programs and projects including leadership development, career planning and placement, cultural and environmental stewardship, youth mentorship, and project-based learning. As he reflects on the last 31 years serving Kaneohe (and beyond), Herb shares about how restoration of aina (land; that which feeds) can also heal our connections to community, self and spirit. The foundation for him has, and always will be, aloha. Herb credits his friendship with Pono Shim as a valuable touchpoint throughout his life and career and reflects on their many conversations about Hawaii's future. We discuss the importance of reclaiming a producer mindset as a foundational element for healthy economic development grounded in Hawaiian values. Our OEDB team extends our gratitude to Herb for his manao in helping guide the Oahu Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with intention and aloha. Uncle Herb, we wish you a prosperous retirement! Episode Highlights 0:23 Introduction 0:51 Waikalua Loko Ia and the Pacific American Foundation 2:02 Friendship with Pono Shim 4:25 The beginnings of a community-focused career 6:28 Education as critical component in the restoration of Waikalua fishpond; students learning the relevance of their learnings within the context of place 9:36 Pacific American Foundation reflections on the last 30 years: adopting a generational mindset 13:39 Our ancestors are always present 17:24 Optimistic about the future - E Ohana Hou 20:00 Aloha and indigenous wisdom around the world 23:39 What does surrendering during uncertainty look like for you? 26:31 Understanding aloha aina 28:58 Crossroads and finding the way forward 33:15 Education coming full circle: students growing up and contributing to the community 36:12 The producer mindset and culturally-informed economic development 43:35 Envisioning prosperity 46:27 I ka wa ma mua, i ka wa ma hope: Indigenous knowledge as a balance to technology 48:07 Retirement - Imua Hou, E Ohana Hou!
In this last episode of 2024, we are grateful to share the insights of Herb Lee, Jr., the President and CEO of the Pacific American Foundation (PAF). For over thirty years, the PAF Ohana has served community and youth with comprehensive programs and projects including leadership development, career planning and placement, cultural and environmental stewardship, youth mentorship, and project-based learning. As he reflects on the last 31 years serving Kaneohe (and beyond), Herb shares about how restoration of aina (land; that which feeds) can also heal our connections to community, self and spirit. The foundation for him has, and always will be, aloha. Herb credits his friendship with Pono Shim as a valuable touchpoint throughout his life and career and reflects on their many conversations about Hawaii's future. We discuss the importance of reclaiming a producer mindset as a foundational element for healthy economic development grounded in Hawaiian values. Our OEDB team extends our gratitude to Herb for his manao in helping guide the Oahu Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with intention and aloha.
Uncle Herb, we wish you a prosperous retirement!
Episode Highlights
0:23 Introduction
0:51 Waikalua Loko Ia and the Pacific American Foundation
2:02 Friendship with Pono Shim
4:25 The beginnings of a community-focused career
6:28 Education as critical component in the restoration of Waikalua fishpond; students learning the relevance of their learnings within the context of place
9:36 Pacific American Foundation reflections on the last 30 years: adopting a generational mindset
13:39 Our ancestors are always present
17:24 Optimistic about the future - E Ohana Hou
20:00 Aloha and indigenous wisdom around the world
23:39 What does surrendering during uncertainty look like for you?
26:31 Understanding aloha aina
28:58 Crossroads and finding the way forward
33:15 Education coming full circle: students growing up and contributing to the community
36:12 The producer mindset and culturally-informed economic development
43:35 Envisioning prosperity
46:27 I ka wa ma mua, i ka wa ma hope: Indigenous knowledge as a balance to technology
48:07 Retirement - Imua Hou, E Ohana Hou!