In Memorium
Pono Shim
Pono Shim
Former President and CEO
Oahu Economic Development Board
Pono considered his exposure to Hawaii leadership philosophies as a child to be the backbone of his ideas, actions, and words. His knowledge and skills were sought by every sector of Hawaii’s economy and he served on various Boards in Hawaii including the Friends of Iolani Palace, Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Green Growth and the Small Business Development Corporation.
In 2012, Pono successfully led the efforts of Punawai O Puuhonua’s New Market Tax Credits Application and was awarded an allocation of $40 million for Economic Development in Low Income Communities for Hawaii. In 2016, his team was awarded an allocation of $55 million, and in 2018 an additional allocation of $40 million was awarded, bringing the total awarded amount to $135 million. In addition to the New Market Tax Credits community infrastructure projects, the Oahu Economic Development Board also offers workforce and economic development programs such as Aloha Connects Innovation and the Small Business Resource Network. Pono also launched the Higher Skills Academy in 2014 to teach the Aloha Response to interested learners. Since then, over 1,500 individuals have participated in a cohort.
Pono was a living kidney donor. He and his wife Dawn were married for 34 years and their daughter, Chantele, recently returned to Hawaii from China where she worked for five years.
OEDB Statement from the Board of Directors and Staff
April 8, 2022
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the peaceful passing of Pono Shim, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Oahu Economic Development Board. We find comfort in knowing that he joined his ancestors on the morning of April 8, 2022 after a brave fight with cancer.
Pono was an extraordinary person who defined servant leadership. He was unconditionally committed to Hawaii and our people, building new connections which unite us and take the conversation to a higher level. Pono exemplified the values of ALOHA and trained thousands of people in Hawaii and throughout the world in the Aloha Response to practice the values shared by his grand-aunt and revered kupuna, Aunty Pilahi Paki. He was a highly sought teacher and master storyteller.
Among his many accomplishments with the Oahu Economic Development Board, Pono’s efforts brought over $135 million in investment through the New Markets Tax Credit program to community infrastructure projects in Hawaii, assisted hundreds of Hawaii jobseekers during the pandemic find new purpose and careers through the Aloha Connects Innovation program, and redefined successful economic development as a relational rather than transactional model.
Pono would often speak of E Ohana Hou, which is the eternal unleashing of grace - of sharing our individual gifts with the world. He said, “When I share E Ohana Hou, it is actually a declaration of our people. It is time to recover this riddle that is the foundation of who we are and the foundation of the prophecy that Aunty Pilahi Paki gave: “In the 21st century, the world will search for peace and they'll look to Hawaii because Hawaii has the key and that key is aloha."
Pono never stopped asking the question: “Economic development for whom?” and insisted that the “whom” be the current residents and youth of Hawaii. The Oahu Economic Development Board and staff remain committed to the values of ALOHA and our ongoing efforts focused on economic recovery, investment in low-income communities, building community resilience, growing next generation leaders and influencers, economic transformation, and international leadership in sustainability.
It is our kuleana to implement the ALOHA values that Pono lived, and to build a better, prosperous and more equitable future for Hawaii and our people.