Myron "Pinky" Thompson
American Hawaiian social worker, cultural leader (1924–2001)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson (February 29, 1924 – December 25, 2001)[1] was an American Hawaiian social worker, community leader and cultural leader among the Native Hawaiians. He is best known for his work as a member of the Board of Trustees of Bishop Estate (now known as Kamehameha Schools).[2]
February 29, 1924
Myron "Pinky" Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Myron Bennett Thompson February 29, 1924 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii (now United States) |
| Died | December 25, 2001 (aged 77) Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii, United States |
| Other names | Pinky Thompson |
| Occupations | Social worker, community leader, cultural leader |
| Known for | Board of Trustees of Bishop Estate (now known as Kamehameha Schools) |
| Spouse | Laura Kalaukapu Low Lucas (marriage 1949–) |
| Children | 3, including Nainoa Thompson |
| Relatives | Clorinda Low Lucas (mother in-law) |
Early life, family, and education
Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson was born on February 29, 1924, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii.[1] Thompson graduated from Punahou School in 1943 and received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Colby College in 1950, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1952.[1]
He married Laura Kalaukapu Low Lucas on February 21, 1949 in Augusta, Maine, she was the daughter of pioneering Hawaiian social worker Clorinda Low Lucas.[3][4][5] Thompson is the father of master wayfinder Nainoa Thompson, who made several trans-Polynesian voyages as the navigator of the canoes Hokulea and Hawaiiloa.[3] The younger Thompson leads the Polynesian Voyaging Society and sits on the Board of Trustees of Kamehameha Schools.
Career
His community leadership posts include:
- Executive director of the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children's Center (1962–1967)
- State administrator under Gov. John A. Burns (1967–1970)
- Executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Social Services & Housing (1970–1974)
- Trustee of Bishop Estate (1974–1994).[3] In this capacity he developed early childhood programs, the cancellation of which in the late 1990s led to a controversy that sparked major changes in the trust.
- Co-founder of Alu Like and Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native Hawaiian health care system[1]
- President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (1979–2001)[1]
He died after a battle with cancer on December 25, 2001, at Queen's Medical Center.[1]
