Class of 1981

by Russ Gima

The Class of 1981 celebrated their 30th class reunion on Lana’i in early July with the theme of “Bash 3.” The Bamboo Garden bed & breakfast house (next to “Mustache” Tsumura’s house) was their home base for three fun-filled eventful days. A stunning thirty-four (34) classmates returned to Lana’i with some whom they had not seen since their high school graduation thirty years ago. It was very heartwarming that four classmates who now reside on the mainland made it to this reunion: Audrey (Baldeviso) Morrill, Tessa (Billena) Olsen, Will Cabiles and Wayne Benanua.

A few of the 81’ers welcoming their classmates’ home.
(L-R): Robbie Sanches, Alex Bueno, Russell Gima, Mickey Felipe and Owen Kaopuiki.

Highlights of the three day festivities included the class of 1981 at:

  • The Throwback Dance Party III,
  • The Pineapple Festival at Dole Park,
  • Picture taking in front of the Lanai High & Elementary School and at Ko’ele, and;
  • Honoring their three fallen classmates (Magno Magaoay, Miles Sandi and Conrad Kawasaki).

The Class of 1981 is already planning another reunion in July 2013 when they will gather to celebrate
their 50th birthdays and also host the next Throwback Dance Party. Stay tuned!

Planning Committee for the 30th reunion
(L-R): Alex Bueno, Lydia (Barsatan) Rodriguez, Grace (Miyamoto) Poei,
Norine (Yamasato) Liem, Stan Oyama, Annette (Niibu) Tijerina, and Russ Gima. 

Photo taken by: Butch Gima

Sitting (L-R): Audrey (Baldeviso) Morrill, Grace (Miyamoto) Poei, Tessa (Billena) Olson, Lydia (Barsatan) Rodrigues, Nancy (Agtarap) Brines, Ping (Degamo) Joyce, Frances Alvarez, Chris (Ramil) Mirafuentes, Alison Bularon, Tammy (Gabriel) Sanches, Verna (Plunkett) Fernandez, Eva (Caberto) Batoon, Sarah (Masada) Cadiz, Faith (Amby) Thornton, Malia Locquiao, Annette (Niibu) Tijerina, Norine (Yamasato) Liem, Lynne Oshiro, Diane (Amaral) Preza

Middle row (Standing, L-R): Ed Magaoay, Owen Kaopuiki, Robbie Sanches

Back row (behind sign, L-R): Will Cabiles, Michael Felipe, Duane Ozoa, Alex Bueno, Russell Gima, Shane Saiki

Photo taken by: Butch Gima

Front row (sitting, L-R): Lynne Oshiro, Norine (Yamasato) Liem, Diane (Amaral) Preza, Grace (Miyamoto) Poei, Alison Bularon

Middle row (L-R): Nora Ballesteros Etrata, Chris (Ramil) Mirafuentes, Sarah (Masada) Cadiz, Nancy (Agtarap) Brines, Verna (Plunkett) Fernandez, Ping (Degamo) Joyce, Frances Alvarez, Eva (Caberto) Batoon, Tammy (Gabriel) Sanches, Faith (Amby) Thornton, Annette (Niibu) Tijerina, Malia Locquiao, Lydia (Barsatan) Rodrigues, Tessa (Billena) Olson, Audrey (Baldeviso) Morrill

Back row (standing, L-R): Wayne Benanua, Duane Ozoa, Owen Kaopuiki, Robbie Sanches, Alex Bueno, Michael Felipe, Will Cabiles, Shane Saiki, Russell Gima, Ed Magaoay

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