Class of 1959 Memories

By Apolonia Agonoy Stice

Nineteen hundred fifty-nine was an historic year for the Territory of Hawaii.  After many years of attempting statehood the Territory finally became the 50th state on the 21 August.  Other events followed with the election of William F. Quinn becoming the first governor of the State of Hawaii.   In business and economics Henry J. Kaiser drew plans to develop Hawaii Kai and Ala Moana Shopping Center opened with Sears being one of the anchor stores.  Included in the Arts/Science categories were James Michener’s publication of “Hawaii”, the eruption of Kilauea Iki, Don Ho’s performance at Honey’s in Kaneohe and the showing of “Gidget” which brought the surf culture to the screen.   In world events the “Kitchen Debate” between Nikita Kruschchev and Richard Nixon was held and Fidel Castro lead a successful revolution in Cuba.  The songs that were played came from Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife”, Frankie Avalon’s “Venus”, Connie Francis’ “Lipstick on Your Collar” to name a few. 

Amidst all of this came the graduating class of 1959…what a year and what a class!  We were 49 graduates who marched to Pomp and Circumstance in the old Lanai gym.  Our guest speaker was Ke Nam Kim, a brother of one of our classsmates Harry Lee.  We were honored to have him.  Approximately a third of us went on to college, business school, and nursing schools on Oahu and on the mainland.  We became teachers, engineer, nurses, medical technician, FBI agent, telephone supervisor……. We served our Country in the Army, Peace Corps and AID.

Fifty-five years have gone passed us since we said aloha to Lanai High School but many memories still linger.  Many of our friends are gone but they will be remembered when we reminisce, laugh and gather at our reunions.  See you all Friday, 26 September, at the annual LACA Reunion in Vegas.

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