Families Converge For The 4th Caluya Reunion in Las Vegas

by Irene Dalde Seawright

Caluya - Simply Ohana

As folks began to gather in the Maile Banquet room for lunch at the California Hotel on Saturday June 29 for the 4th Caluya reunion, people noticed that the nearly 100 participants were dressed in a black t-shirt with “Simply Ohana” written on it.

This was a gala occasion that the Caluya families, who originated from the island of Lanai, faithfully come together every five years.

The original Caluya family was Manuel and Ambrosia Caluya.  Their children consists of the following:  Benny and Carmen Caluya and ten children, Liberato and Loreta (Caluya) Viduya and four children, Anastacio and Trinidad (Caluya) Dalde and five children, Melicio and Flora (Caluya-Narito) Garalde and nine children, Frederico and Evelyn Caluya and eight children, and Alfredo and Caroline Caluya & four children. The third generation left the island of Lanai between 1955 thru 1985 after they graduated from Lanai High and Elementary School seeking higher education and/or jobs and settled on Oahu and Southern California. After the parents (or second generation) retired from the Lanai Pineapple Company, they joined their adult children and family wherever they chose to be “transplanted.”

Pre-celebration was hosted by Ben and Lei Dalde as folks gathered in their room for hospitality enjoying snacks, music and singing on Friday night.  It was a nice relaxing atmosphere especially for those who spent 4-5 hours driving to Vegas.  The next morning, the group met down stairs at the Main Street hotel to enjoy two sessions of slot tournament.  Everyone had a great time, especially the winners, Franklin Baptiste and Duane Dalde.

The luncheon began with a candlelight ceremony as the deceased family members were memorialized, followed by the passing of the lit candle from the oldest to the youngest of each family.  For the Benny Caluya family, Carol Caluya Voss passed the candle to Mason Caluya, 2 ½ year old, for the Trinidad (Caluya) Dalde family, Irene Dalde Seawright passed the candle to Kassia Lelua Alapag, 8 months old, and for the Flora (Caluya) Garalde-Narito family, Jane Garalde Primicias passed the candle to her granddaughter Giselle Primicias, age 2. Irene is the eldest at age 72 and Kassia Lelua the youngest at age 8 months.

Entertainment was provided by the “Chicken Hekka Band”, comprising of Glenn Alapag, Joice Dalde Alapag, Jane Garalde Primicias, Ben Dalde, and Franklin Narito.  The guests were pleasantly surprised by Anthony and Gabriel Voss, 12-year-old twin sons of Michael and Taniaz Voss as they demonstrated their multi-talents of playing the guitar and ukulele and singing.  They were also joined by their mother Taniaz and their Aunt Michelle Voss and grandmother Carol Voss.  Other guest entertainers were Kuuleialoha Tipon, Sonny Dalde and Punahele Dalde.  A fun-filled afternoon of music, songs, jokes, games and group singing was enjoyed by all.

The 5th Caluya Family reunion is scheduled for 2018.

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