Myron "Pinky" Thompson

Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson (February 29, 1924 - December 25, 2001) 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 (now known as Kamehameha Schools).[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.

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). 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 (Native Hawaiian Health Care System)
• President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (1979 - 2001).

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.