In celebration of our 4th anniversary of "Above the Sides," we eagerly welcome Oahu Economic Development Board member, Robin Campaniano to this episode. In this conversation, we discuss his people-first approach to business and envisioning a prosperous Hawaii economy. Robin reflects on his long-standing friendship with Pono Shim, exploring how their intertwined careers have shaped his philosophy of aloha. Robin’s influence in Hawaii’s business community is extensive; he previously served as President and CEO of AIG Hawaii Insurance Company, Insurance Commissioner for the State of Hawaii, and District Director and Counsel for the Small Business Administration’s Honolulu Office. Most recently, he was selected as a member of the Governor's Climate Advisory Team. To give a glimpse into his world, Robin ideates about the power of observation in business, the significance of sharing meals together, the impact of Hawaii's small community culture on economic decisions (from tourism to military), and the integration of aloha into both relationships and written contracts. Robin opens up about his lifelong commitment to living up to the Hawaiian name that Pono gifted to him from the elders - and his hopefulness in Hawaii's future as we strive to "remember who we are." Mahalo for joining us these last four years as we uncover what it means to think, act and live aloha. Episode Highlights 0:24 Introduction to Robin Campaniano 1:41 Friendship and intertwining careers with Pono Shim 3:35 Pono's approach and sensitivity 4:55 "We Go Eat" - the power of communal meals 6:16 How to do business in Hawaii: welcoming visitors, new residents and colleagues to the islands 8:00 Touching the essence of a person's character to motivate them 8:49 Influences arise years later 10:15 Joining the OEDB board of directors, exploring economic diversity 12:00 Kicking off the New Markets Tax Credits venture 12:44 Observation first 14:30 Career and leadership reflections 16:36 Hawaii is a small community/ island society 17:10 "Pay it forward" - community involvement and service on nonprofit boards 18:20 Hawaii's Climate Advisory Team 20:15: Childhood on Air Force Bases (Japan to New York), graduated from Roosevelt High School 21:58 Bringing the spirit of aloha to the global insurance industry 23:41 Aloha in Action - writing the aloha spirit law into partnership agreements 26:55 Native Hawaiians were intrepid in aquaculture, agriculture and wayfinding 28:57 How do you include the aloha spirit into your written contracts? Establishing the connection 31:21 Balancing tourism and military economic impacts 34:03 Friendship with Pono Shim and being given a Hawaiian name 38:34 Living up to the name 39:16 What is on the horizon? 40:16 Favorite meals with Pono 41:45 A series of memories - 42:55 The influence of Alvin Shim
In celebration of our 4th anniversary of "Above the Sides," we eagerly welcome Oahu Economic Development Board member, Robin Campaniano to this episode. In this conversation, we discuss his people-first approach to business and envisioning a prosperous Hawaii economy. Robin reflects on his long-standing friendship with Pono Shim, exploring how their intertwined careers have shaped his philosophy of aloha. Robin’s influence in Hawaii’s business community is extensive; he previously served as President and CEO of AIG Hawaii Insurance Company, Insurance Commissioner for the State of Hawaii, and District Director and Counsel for the Small Business Administration’s Honolulu Office. Most recently, he was selected as a member of the Governor's Climate Advisory Team. To give a glimpse into his world, Robin ideates about the power of observation in business, the significance of sharing meals together, the impact of Hawaii's small community culture on economic decisions (from tourism to military), and the integration of aloha into both relationships and written contracts. Robin opens up about his lifelong commitment to living up to the Hawaiian name that Pono gifted to him from the elders - and his hopefulness in Hawaii's future as we strive to "remember who we are." Mahalo for joining us these last four years as we uncover what it means to think, act and live aloha.
Episode Highlights
0:24 Introduction to Robin Campaniano
1:41 Friendship and intertwining careers with Pono Shim
3:35 Pono's approach and sensitivity
4:55 "We Go Eat" - the power of communal meals
6:16 How to do business in Hawaii: welcoming visitors, new residents and colleagues to the islands
8:00 Touching the essence of a person's character to motivate them
8:49 Influences arise years later
10:15 Joining the OEDB board of directors, exploring economic diversity
12:00 Kicking off the New Markets Tax Credits venture
12:44 Observation first
14:30 Career and leadership reflections
16:36 Hawaii is a small community/ island society
17:10 "Pay it forward" - community involvement and service on nonprofit boards
18:20 Hawaii's Climate Advisory Team
20:15: Childhood on Air Force Bases (Japan to New York), graduated from Roosevelt High School
21:58 Bringing the spirit of aloha to the global insurance industry
23:41 Aloha in Action - writing the aloha spirit law into partnership agreements
26:55 Native Hawaiians were intrepid in aquaculture, agriculture and wayfinding
28:57 How do you include the aloha spirit into your written contracts? Establishing the connection
31:21 Balancing tourism and military economic impacts
34:03 Friendship with Pono Shim and being given a Hawaiian name
38:34 Living up to the name
39:16 What is on the horizon?
40:16 Favorite meals with Pono
41:45 A series of memories -
42:55 The influence of Alvin Shim