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APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER

Download the full PDF of the April 2021 Newsletter by clicking here. (2021 LACA Las Vegas Luncheon sign-up form is included on the third page of the newsletter.)

The Lana’i Connection is published twice a year to inform members of the purposes of the Lana’i Alumni and Community Association (LACA).

Articles and photos may be submitted by no later than a month prior to publication via email to info@lanaiconnection.com  or via mail at LACA, P.O. Box 814, Pearl City, Hawaii  96782.  (NOTE: Our PO Box has changed!) We reserve the right to edit and or accept any article before publication.

Editor:                Coochie Tanodra Cayan

Copyreader:       Monica Cockett

Designer/Webmaster:   Donna Shiroma Nakasue

LACA MEMBERSHIP is only $10.00 for your lifetime.  Membership is open to all alumni, residents and community supporters.  Email for more info and how to apply for membership info@lanaiconnection.com or go to website lanaiconnection.com/blog.

The LACA Scholarship Fund are sent by the board of directors to Lanai High School for the yearly awards.  All donations at this time to the LACA are not tax deductible.  The LACA is working towards a non-profit status to assure your donations may be tax deductible in the future.  LACA scholarships are awarded at the annual LHES Awards Assembly in May by board representatives.  Your checks should indicate it is for the LHES scholarship fund.  Mahalo nui loa for your consideration!

HOW TO CONTACT LACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  You may write to the LACA at P.O.Box 814, Pearl City, HI  96782 or via email at info@lanaiconnection.com

LACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Co-chairman:  Monica Cockett and Coochie Tanodra Cayan

Treasurer:       Ruth Nakasone

Secretary:       Coochie Cayan

Directors:      Marge Asato, Susanne Damian, Marilyn Fernandez, Norante Fernandez, Bruno Oroyan, Linda Degamo (Lana’i), Suzanna Kincaid (Lana’i), Bill Ruidas (Maui Connection).

Letter to LACA members

Aloha kakou!

We hope this update finds you all in good health and spirit amidst the health and safety rules during this Covid19 pandemic.  Please keep safe with your masks on, wash your hands often, and keep your 6’ distance when in public areas. Get your vaccinations to make travel easier for you, too.

As you may know, all events including the 2020 LACA Vegas Annual Scholarship Luncheon was canceled at the California Hotel due to the Corvid19 epidemic. We are happy to announce that there will be a 2021 LACA Vegas Scholarship Luncheon on September 25th at the California Hotel. We look forward to seeing you all at the 2021 LACA Vegas scholarship luncheon. Download the registration form to sign-up.

Due to the lack of the scholarship luncheon fundraiser in 2020, the LACA scholarship fund is sorely depleted.  The amount of the scholarships has varied yearly from $500 to $1,500 each depending on the success of the annual scholarship luncheon.  The awards this year will be funded with two significant donations from Maisie Nagishi and Sue Damian.  Mahalo to both for their timely donations!.

May we ask all members to consider making a donation in any amount to the LACA Scholarship Fund to keep the annual awards funded?  Any amount is greatly appreciated. Please send your checks to the Lanai Alumni & Community Association, Attn: LACA Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 814, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782.  Note this is a NEW post office box number.

The last scholarship luncheon in 2019 was a full house of 100 alumni, friends and family from the islands to the far reaches of the East Coast.  It was wonderful for many first-time attendees to mingle with classmates and fellow Lanaians.  Memories of Lana’i in his childhood was shared by Clayton Oyama, Class of 69 with many folks giggling or smiling at a long-ago memory.  The Silent Auction sold out handmade Hawaiian print quilts, Kona coffee, and other island goodies.  One unnamed attendee bid and got all the Spam!!! The table decorations included a handcrafted crochet octopus embracing a fresh pineapple and mementos at each place setting.  The Class of 56 and the Class of 69 were present to celebrate their class reunions, too.  It was also good to see many old-timers in attendance and enjoying the company of old and new friends.  Music was provided with the Kevin Brown Trio of Maui, all island-born musicians.  Some of you may know Kevin from his many gigs over the years at the Lana’i hotels.  And the Cal’s catering staff provided an onolicious buffet that had folks going up for seconds! 

A newsletter will be mailed out in late April with more updates.  In the meantime, make plans to attend the 2021 LACA Vegas Scholarship Luncheon on September 25, 2021.  See you there!

A hui hou, your LACA Board of Directors

Class of 2019 LACA Scholarship recipients

Two LACA Scholarships were awarded in 2019 to the following successful seniors:  

  • The Suzanne Damien Pascua Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 was awarded to Joel Marthin Nisperos.  Joel is the son of LHES Alumni Jose Dinong and his wife, Marites.  Joel was on the LHES Honor Roll for 12th grade, played Varsity Basketball and was active in community services.  Joel is presently attending Honolulu Community College on the island of O’ahu and majoring in Carpentry Technology.
  • The Thomas Roy Nunotani Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 was awarded to Jomel Etrata.  Jomel is currently attending the University of Hawaii – Maui Community College via the Lana’i Education Center.

IN MEMORIAM from 2020-2021

Naha ke kanaka, ka hale o ke aloha.
Broken is man, the house of love.
One is grieved by the death of a beloved.

(Olelo Noeau 2210)


Ron McOmber

Wade Tamashiro

Frances Pagay Doctolero

Frances “Dimples” Alboro

Myles Saruwatari

Fred Guillermo Camero, Sr.

Wallace John Hanog, Sr.

John Ornellas

Sheila Awakuni Eligado

Alfredo Bandalan

Ken Escolito

Stanley Oshima

Valentine “Pang” Tanodra

Pu’u pehe, sweetheart rock

“Pu’u Pehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock, is one of Lâna’i’s most recognisable landmarks. On the Southern coast of the island, between Hulopoe Bay and Manale Bay, stands this magnificent rock, steeped in Hawaiian legend.

Legend tells of two lovers, a beautiful Hawaiian maiden from Lahaina called Pehe and a young warrior from Lâna’i called Makakehau, who gained his name from the Hawaiian words maka, meaning eyes, and kehau, meaning mist. He was so taken by Pehe’s beauty that he would well up every time he saw her.

Makakehau took Pehe to Lâna’i as his wife and hid her in a sea cave at the base of Manele’s cliffs so that no other men could see her. One day Makakehau was out gathering supplies when the weather drastically changed and the raging surf began to pound on the side of the island. He rushed back to the cave but it was too late, Pehe had drowned by the surge of storm waves. Stricken with grief Makakehau gathered her in his arms and, with the help of the gods, he climbed the steep rock island. He buried Pehe in a tomb and then jumped off the 25 metre (80 feet) tall rock to his death.”

From Uncover Travel website© 2021 Uncover Travel. All rights reserved.

February 2019 Newsletter

Download the full PDF of the February 2019 Newsletter by clicking here. (2019 LACA Las Vegas Luncheon sign-up form is included on the last page of the newsletter.)

The Lana’i Connection is published twice a year to inform members of the purposes of the Lana’i Alumni and Community Association (LACA).

Articles and photos may be submitted by no later than a month prior to publication via email to info@lanaiconnection.com  or via mail at LACA, P.O. Box 515, Pearl City, Hawaii  96782.  We reserve the right to edit and or accept any article before publication.

Editor:                Coochie Tanodra Cayan

Copyreader:       Monica Cockett

Designer/Webmaster:   Donna Shiroma Nakasue

LACA MEMBERSHIP is only $10.00 for your lifetime.  Membership is open to all alumni, residents and community supporters.  Email for more info and how to apply for membership info@lanaiconnection.com or go to website lanaiconnection.com/blog.

The LACA Scholarship Fund are sent by the board of directors to Lanai High School for the yearly awards.  All donations at this time to the LACA are not tax deductible.  The LACA is working towards a non-profit status to assure your donations may be tax deductible in the future.  LACA scholarships are awarded at the annual LHES Awards Assembly in May by board representatives.  Your checks should indicate it is for the LHES scholarship fund.  Mahalo nui loa for your consideration!

HOW TO CONTACT LACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  You may write to the LACA at P.O.Box 515, Pearl City, HI  96782 or via email at info@lanaiconnection.com

LACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Co-chairman:  Monica Cockett and Coochie Tanodra Cayan

Treasurer:       Ruth Nakasone

Secretary:       Coochie Cayan

Directors:      Marge Asato, Susanne Damian, Marilyn Fernandez, Norante Fernandez, Bruno Oroyan, Linda Degamo (Lana’i), Suzanna Kincaid (Lana’i), Bill Ruidas (Maui Connection).

23rd LACA – Las Vegas Connection Scholarship Luncheon celebrates “Lana’i – Pleasant Memories Ne’er Forgotten”

by Coochie Cayan

The 23rd annual LACA Las Vegas Connection Scholarship Luncheon convened on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the newly renovated ‘Ohana Room (California Hotel) with smiling Lanaians and friends.  A Hawaiian “Oli Aloha” (welcome chant) was offered by Coochie Tanodra Cayan (LACA board secretary) and an Invocation read by Ruth Nakasone (LACA board treasurer) to welcome everyone. A moment of silence was observed to honor all LACA and Lanai folks who have ua hala recently.

This year’s LACA Scholarships were awarded in May, 2018 to two deserving seniors – Leslie Nabor for the $1,500 Thomas Roy Nunotani Scholarship, and to Christopher Tan for the $1,000 Suzanne Damian Pascua Scholarship.  Congratulations to both of you!

An excellent buffet lunch was enjoyed by everyone as the Kevin Brown Trio played authentic Hawaiian music.  The program began with recognition of Na Kupuna and their longevity with the LACA board activities which included Ruth Nakasone, Sue Damian, and Juan “Johnny” Tanodra.  Both Sue and Johnny were on the original “Lanai Connection” planning committee 23 years ago!  

Folks were asked to share their “pleasant memories” of living on Lana’i.  Garek Gaboya shared his mother was Tina and his grandmother was Ursula Saloricman.  At a recent family reunion, he looked for the old house, took pictures and recalled growing up at his grandma’s home on Block 46.  

Rose Anbe recalled respecting all our elders.  She grew up on Block 21 near the Nobui’s, the Morita’s, the Hirayama’s and other families.  Rose saw Victor “Thor” Timbreza at another table and noted he was a classmate too.  LACA thanks Rose for volunteering to take photos at the luncheon.  

Nora Miranda shared growing up on Block 35 meant we were near the community Rubbish Pile and that is where us kids would rummage for bike parts and other “treasures.”  She misses Lana’i with the long ago pineapple fields, but does not miss the pineapple bugs that went into your clothes and nose!  Her uncle, Juan “Johnny” Tanodra added that Block 35 had a lot of musicians.  In his day, there was a lot of events at the Social Hall where they all played music and enjoyed the party too.

David Gaboya, brother of Garek, remembered the pineapple fields and working there in his youth.  He said the #1 fields were fun working in the summer and visiting his grandmother.

Jojo Endrina Timbreza shared her wedding day blues at the Sacred Hearts Church.  After the wedding ceremony, everyone headed to Pu’u Pehe (Sweetheart Island) at Hulopoe Beach for the last blessing.  Jojo and Thor waited in front of the church for their ride, but Aue! everyone had left.  Luckily, Dolpho Sanchez was driving by and stopped to ask them if they needed a ride!  They made it to Sweetheart Island and received the last blessing for their wedding vows!

Doris Anbe shared how they enjoyed the flower gardens of Lana’i especially the beautiful Ito garden with so many flowers.  Her son really loves Lana’i, and so she helped them plan their memorable wedding and dinner at the Koele Lodge.  Doris and her family continues to visit Lana’i and enjoys catching the ferry to Maui too.

Meanwhile, the raffles and silent auction was busy with tickets and bids.  This year’s most sought after raffle were a Tahitian black pearl necklace valued at $1,500; a single black Tahitian pearl necklace valued at more than $500; and five sunrise shell necklaces also valued at more than $200 each.  These beautiful pieces were donated by LACA supporter Herman Helemano Lee, Hawaiian artist.  Lucky Donna Lloyd, wife of Ted Lloyd (Tanodra ‘Ohana) won the Tahitian black pearl necklace and Sue Damian won the single Tahitian black pearl necklace.  The sunrise shell necklaces were won by the mother-daughter team of Joy Jacobs and Stacie Nefalar.  Other raffle items included a handmade ukulele (to Doris Anbe) and a wall clock by Pedring Dugay, two pineapple design clocks (Monica Cockett and Stacie Neffaler) by Ricky Tamashiro, and a Lana’i Playhouse print (to Jason Gaboya).  The California Hotel $100 dinner certificate was won by Thor Timbreza and the five-day California Hotel certificate won by Sharon Gaboya.  All Silent Auction items were settled with the winning bidders.  All proceeds from the raffles and Silent Auction goes towards the LACA Scholarship Fund to Lana’i High School who awards two deserving seniors yearly.  Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the year, too.

The exciting surprise of the luncheon was the appearance of Vacation Hawaii’s media crew, Kevin Kaneshiro to interview LACA folks on the 23rd year celebration.  Unbeknownst to all, the Hawaii News Now newscasters, Steve Uyehara and Grace Lee were the interviewers and video-taped the excited Lanaians and guests.  Most of the attendees posed for photos with Steve and Grace to share on social media immediately.  The Hawaii News Now team especially wanted to tape the group singing the alma mater.  Everyone gathered around Na Kupuna and sang their hearts out!!!  It was quite joyous and the news team had fun talking story with folks and were appreciative of the leis and makana (gifts) presented to them.  What a superb ending to the 23rd scholarship reunion!

LACA looks forward to the 2019 scholarship luncheon and seeing you and your ohana and classmates there!  Come and join in the festivities!

IN MEMORIAM

Naha ke kanaka, ka hale o ke aloha.
Broken is man, the house of love.
One is grieved by the death of a beloved.

(‘Olelo Noeau 2210)

Everett Cabanilla
Alfred Lopez, Sr.
Naleihua Iona O’Neal
Mildred Sakaue
Kikue Shigematsu
Molly Sakamoto
Yoshi Sakuma