In this episode of Above the Sides, Cherilyn Inouye, who serves as Compassionate Koolau’s District Education Specialist, shares her winding journey through education, community work, and aloha centered leadership in Hawaii. Grounded in place, story, and ike kupuna, Cherilyn reflects on how listening deeply and honoring aina have shaped her path from classroom teacher to community connector. She speaks candidly about trauma informed education, the power of Foundations of Aloha, and the mentors and communities that continue to inspire her hana. Through stories from schools and fishponds to loi kalo and chance meetings, Cherilyn illustrates what aloha looks like in daily practice. Mahalo for listening!

Learn more about Compassionate Koolau.

Episode Highlights

01:09 Cherilyn’s background and roots

02:45 Her path into education

03:47 Teaching and early career

06:09 Advanced studies and pivotal experiences

18:50 Foundations of Aloha

23:55 Reflecting on the gift of lessons

24:59 Grounding in Aloha values

26:02 Integrating Aloha in education

28:45 Challenges and personal growth

32:18 Aloha in the community

40:32 Compassionate Koolau

45:20 Final thoughts

Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle. It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable – that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective, the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.

In this episode of Above the Sides, we sit down with Brent Kakesako, Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED). Brent shares stories from his upbringing in Honolulu, Hawai'i and reflects on the experiences that shaped his path into community-based economic development. We explore HACBED’s approach to development rooted in active listening, facilitation, and uplifting community voice. The conversation also touches on aloha in action and Brent’s connection to Pono Shim and the integration of the aloha values into his day-to-day life. We hope you find this conversation to be a thoughtful look at how values, relationships, and place-based work can shape a more caring and connected future for Hawaii. Learn more about HACBED at: https://hacbed.org/

Episode Highlights

00:52 Brent's Background

01:57 HACBED's Mission and Approach

02:40 Programs and Community Impact

07:36 The Power of Active Listening

10:29 Brent's Journey into Economic Development

17:57 Influence of Mentors and Community Connections

20:07 Aloha in Action and Personal Reflections

25:40 Navigating Parenting

25:51 Understanding Oluolu

26:40 Incorporating Aloha in Daily Life

27:09 Honoring Mentors and Community Values

27:39 Economic Development Grounded in Values

27:59 Hopes for Hawaii's Economy

28:45 Challenges and Opportunities in Community Work

32:34 Institutional Commitment to Community

37:44 What is Enough? Workplace Culture and Wellbeing - 4 Day, 32 Hour Work Weeks

45:33 Reflections on Aloha and Community Engagement

Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle. It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable – that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective, the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.

In this episode, Celeste Connors, the new President of the East‑West Center in Honolulu, shares how Hawaiʻi’s core value of aloha can guide global diplomacy. Raised in Hawaiʻi with over 25 years of experience as a U.S. diplomat and policy advisor, she brings a distinctive island‑rooted perspective to international relations. Listeners will hear stories of how aloha values such as care, respect, and relationality shape complex global conversations and foster meaningful cross‑cultural connections. Influenced by her dear friend and colleague, the late Pono Shim, she reflects on how Hawaiʻi can serve as a bridge within the Asia-Pacific region, cultivating mutual understanding and shared values through the work of the East‑West Center - and beyond. This conversation offers a fresh, values-driven vision of diplomacy that centers humanity and hope.

Episode Highlights

01:56 Celeste Connors' Career Journey

03:41 First Foreign Service Assignment

04:30 International Assignments and Graduate School

06:36 Return to the White House

07:58 Sustainability and the SDGs

10:08 Returning to Hawaii

12:09 Hawaii Green Growth and Community Impact

19:16 Meeting Pono Shim and Coming Home

27:11 The Essence of Aloha in Achieving SDGs

27:58 Hawaii's Leadership and the Aloha+ Challenge

29:53 Hawaii's Next Generation of Leaders

33:56 Reflections on Global Movements and Peace Seekers

35:42 Hopes for Hawaii's Economic Future

39:09 Honoring Pono Shim

48:21 The Role of the East West Center

54:06 Final Reflections

Resources

East‑West Center – Promoting Asia‑Pacific dialogue and research

Hawaiʻi Green Growth – Advancing sustainable growth and environmental stewardship

Aloha+ Challenge – Hawaiʻi’s statewide sustainability and SDG initiative

Aloha+ Challenge Program Details – Learn more about Hawaiʻi’s action plan for the SDGs

Aina Aloha Economic Futures – Supporting Hawaiʻi’s sustainability and community initiatives

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Global framework for sustainable development

Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle. It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable – that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective, the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.