Myron "Pinky" Thompson

Who was Myron "Pinky" Thompson?

Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson was a social worker and community leader in Hawaiʻi and a cultural leader among the Native Hawaiians. He is best known for his work as a member of the Board of Trustees of Bishop Estate.

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 Mānoa in 1952.

His community leadership posts include:

⁕Executive director of the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children's Center

⁕State administrator under Gov. John A. Burns

⁕Executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Social Services & Housing

⁕Trustee of Bishop Estate. 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, Alu Like and Papa Ola Lokahi

⁕President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Thompson is the father of master wayfinder Nainoa Thompson, who made several trans-Polynesian voyages as the navigator of the canoes Hokulea and Hawaiiloa. The younger Thompson now leads the Polynesian Voyaging Society and sits on the Board of Trustees of Kamehameha Schools.