Class of 1955

By David Lee

1st row; left to right: Ulalia Cabalo, Lorna Cabanilla, Violet Enfield, Solidad Dela Casada, Ella Awa, Rosaline Bersamin, Frances Ikeoka, Ayako Akiyama, Lorraine Akamine, Ann Miyazaki. 2nd row; Jacqueline Gomez, Charles Kim, Sa??? Kalawaia, Leroy Fernandez, David Lee, Mariano Masicampo, Arsenio Ballesteros, Vincent Dela Casada, Ernesto Kubo. 3rd row; Federick Honda, Clarence Kimokeo, Ivan Morita, Cecilio Cuyno, Benjamin Lui, Harold Ichiyama, Charles Ito.

The class picture you see is only the “A” group.  If you don’t understand, ask one of the old guys.  This photo was from the 1952 Annual and fixed up by Leroy Fernandez, a really multi-talented alumnus now living in Pukalani, Maui.  Another talented Maui girl, Roselle Bailey (remember Lt Lindsey?) has several Hula Halaus, here in Hawaii, the mainland and Europe, all active. Check out her Foundation’s website www.kaimi.org  You’ll be surprised how much this wahine has accomplished.

 FYI:  Ukulele is getting popular in Europe.  My guess is partly because of Brother IZ, he’s BIG in Europe.  His “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” song was a Number One hit for awhile.

I named Leroy & Roselle because they did not graduate with the class, neither did I.  Yet we stay connected in the Lanai Ohana spirit.  Some others were Fred Honda, Mid-Pac Institute & Charles Ito.  Ito was Freshmen Class President, after his term transferred to Hilo High.  Sadly, he died alone at home on Lanai not long ago. He has an estranged daughter.  I hope she knows. I for one will always remember him as a friend.  Our class is getting smaller, as our years increase.  We need very much, to stay in touch.  ‘THE TIME IS NOW”

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