Myron "Pinky" Thompson

Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson (February 29, 1924 – December 25, 2001) 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).

Early life, family, and education Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson was born on February 29, 1924, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. 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 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 Liliuokalani Children's Center (1962–1967) State administrator under Gov. John A. Burns (1967–1970) Executive director of the Hawaii State Department of Social Services & Housing (1970–1974) Trustee of Bishop Estate (1974–1994). 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 President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (1979–2001)

He died after a battle with cancer on December 25, 2001, at Queen's Medical Center.