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Lana’i Alumni News

  • The Class of 1958 gathered in September at the Main Street Hotel, Las Vegas to talk story, share a meal and recall Lana’i High memories. Classmates in attendance were Monica Cockett, Carol Ann Fujimoto Tsumura, Jeri Hiroyama Iba, Enigdio Jamero, Leroy Cabanilla, Irene Dalde Seawright, and Jerry Seawright.  Laughter and memories abounded as the classmates reminisced about the good old days and some kolohe times!
  • The Class of 1961 remembers their late classmate, Delores Darlene Cole Lanai (1943-2016) who lived on Lana’i for her Sophomore year with her grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. Tuttle. Darlene so loved Lana’i; she legally added it to her last name.
  • The Class of 1968 celebrated their 50th reunion on Lana’i with much talk story time, a golf tourney, a trek to Hulopo’e and several bountiful pot luck meals.  Folks travelled from New Mexico, California, Oregon and Hawaii nei.  The typical wintry rains of Lana’i appeared but did not dampen the high spirits of the CO’68. 
  • The Class of 1969 met on November 11th to plan their 50th class reunion for the latter part of 2019.  Classmates Bruce Matsuura, Wade and Bernie Tamashiro, Wayne Tamashiro, Sharon Hashimoto, and Coochie Cayan convened at the 99 Ranch to discuss possible venues, dates and places.  A survey of classmates via email and calls resulted in a probable reunion at the 2019 LACA event with a close second for meeting on Lana’i the weekend of the Pineapple Fest.  More information will be sent to all CO69-ers.
  • The Classes of 1969, 1970 and 1971 convened on November 17th at the Zippy’s Vineyard for an early breakfast and talk story session.  Early birds included Winona Masutani, Ray Tamashiro, Deborah Lee Eharis, Jo Ann Young, Joe Pat Au, Dorinda “Pinky” Blanko, Ricky Oyama, Coochie Cayan, Theron Fujie, Elaine Yamaguchi, Ricky Tamashiro.  These informal quarterly breakfasts convene to continue the Lana’i spirit of fellowship and remembering good fun memories.  Also, mahalo for the donations to the LACA Scholarship Fund from Ricky, Dot and Jo Ann.  Next breakfast fellowship in early 2019
  • Remember the Pinelads beat Punahou in 1956 (see LACA e-news, November 2017) in a memorable basketball game? One of the players, Dr. Ismael Naanep, is a retired physician in Des Moines, Iowa and his granddaughter, Cari Naanep is a notable athlete like her grandfather.  Cari won the 2018 Iowa Girls Tennis Tournament in Iowa City, and will be inducted into her school, Johnston High Hall of Fame.  Dr. Naanep was in the last immigrants of Filipinos in 1946 to join their families to work in Hawaii’s plantations. 

Lanai one team updates

by Coop DeRenne

The Lanai One Team group is moving on the final design for the building of a new batting cage/ field house for the high school baseball games. The following have provided much needed kokua:

  1. Shane Victorino and his foundation, through his right hand lady, Kari Uyehara, have provided expertise to our project. Thanks Shane and Kari!
  2. Architect, Charlie Palumbo, Pulama Lanai, has finalized our design and will see the project through its completion. Thanks Charlie!
  3. Lanai Community Association (LCA) has graciously allowed our Lanai One Team organization to be the “holding tank” for our donations. Thus, beginning today, if you want to make a tax write-off donation, please send to the following account: Lanai One Team Account, attn: Kay Okimoto, Lanai Community Association, P.O. Box 630763, Lanai City, HI 96763.
  4. Les Tamashiro will spearhead our major Honolulu fundraiser early in 2019 with details to be announced. Again, thanks to you all! God Bless!
  5. For details on the final design, please email Coop DeRenne at coop@hawaii.edu.

The Lanai One Team has 43 sport-community members within our consortium that we started two years ago. Thank you all for your support, prayers, and friendship. This is the update from this past December I asked you all to pray for our mini-transportation crisis on Lanai with our athletic teams. Since Dollar Rental Car went out of business, we had no way to transport our student-athletes tothe airport and harbor.

Then God showed up! After much prayer and numerous phone calls leading to dead ends, on behalf of our school principal, Elton Kinoshita, and athletic director, Sumi, I was able to reach D.O.E.’s Maui County Director of Transportation, Robert Joseph. He led me to Hana School’s principal, Rick Paul and his Director of Transportation, Wailani “Lani” Nakooka, who both blessed us with a super used 14- passenger school bus. In addition, they will donate another bus to us this spring. Furthermore, Shane and Mike Victorino Jr., blessed us with a shipping waiver for the transportation fee. God orchestrated this bus transfer through wonderful people. That is how God works! We on Lanai thank you all for your support and prayers. God bless you all! With aloha, Coop.

APRIL 2018 NEWSLETTER

Download the full PDF of the April 2018 Newsletter by clicking here.

The Lana’i Connection is published twice a year (April and November) 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).

LACA Updates — LACA Vegas Luncheon Registration is open!

The annual LACA – Las Vegas Scholarship Luncheon is scheduled for September 22, 2018 at the California Hotel from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Click to download the registration form.  Please register early with your classmates or family.  The program includes authentic Hawaiian music, an onolicious buffet lunch, a silent auction and door prizes with time to share your treasured memories of Lana’i. The LACA board looks forward to another year of making memories and in turn you all are providing for the annual award of scholarships for deserving seniors.

Memories make Lana’i special to all who have lived there, gone to school and or spent endless summers picking pine in the dusty red fields.  Upcoming events in July will certainly create more memorable times for alumni and community folks.

Many Lana’i community folks and alumni are planning an 80th observation of Lana’i High School for the weekend of July 7, 2018.  Another parade of classes from all years is encouraged to participate – decorating vehicles, walking together in class attire, and cheering for your class!  The Saturday parade will go around Dole Square and is sure to garner many a cheer for alumni and current students.  Details are being worked out amongst class representatives with Juan Degamo.  Please check with your classmates on any plans for your class participation.

A school assembly is planned for Friday, July 6 at the high school.  Please check the school’s website for more information and or contact Juan Degamo and or the Lanai Community Association on Facebook.  Details not available at print time.

That Saturday afternoon will kick off the annual Pineapple Festival in Dole Park with music, food booths, vendors, and community booths.  Check the Lanai Today website for more information as the date for the festival nears.  There will also be information on special ferry times from Lahaina to Lanai for folks wanting to ferry over and return that evening.

The Class of 1970 and Class of 1971 meet almost quarterly at the Zippy’s on Vineyard Blvd. in Honolulu to share breakfast and talk story about Lana’i.  The last gathering had about 30 folks and lasted from breakfast to almost lunch time! 

One of the questions posed to the LACA was “Should there be a LACA function on O’ahu?”  Your thoughts are welcome with feasible suggestions on when, where and date and planning volunteers.  Please email the LACA board at info@lanaiconnection.com or write to LACA, PO Box 515, Pearl City, HI 96782.  The LACA board looks forward to your suggestions and or volunteerism for planning purposes.

Grandmaster Robert Garcia Bandalan Doce Pares

Eskrima (also spelled Escrima) a Filipinization of the Spanish word for fencing.

Robert Garcia Martial Arts:
9th Degree Black Belt in Bandalan Doce Pares
One of 12 Grandmasters in the World in the Doce Pares System
Practicing in the Martial Arts for 51 years

Other Experience:
Boxing, Wing Chun, Chinese Kung Fu, Karate, Taoism and Tae Kwon Do

Former Accomplishments:
World Champion, single stick
National & Regional Champion
National Team & World Champion in single stick & double sticks
USA Eskrima Coach for the Hawaii Team
2010 Black Belt Magazine
Voted Sportsman of the Year
Double Stick National Championship
Sportsman Year Award, Voted by the United Filipino Council

Grandmaster Robert trained under Supreme Grandmaster Alfredo Bandalan, Sr. and Supreme Grandmaster Dione Carnete.

The 15th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Tournament To Be Held In Maui 

The 15th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Tournament
To Be Held In Maui
By Donna Reyes Ching

Here’s some exciting news!  The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Tournament will be held for the first time in the State of Hawaii July 18–23, 2018, at Lahaina Civic Center in Maui.  Eskrima is the traditional martial art of the Philippines that emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed and various improvised weapons.  The popularity of the sport has risen to international recognition holding 13 world championships, the first being in 1989 in Cebu City, Philippines.

Spearheading the event are former Lanaians Alfredo Bandalan, Sr. and Robert Garcia, James Dalde Reponte, Jr. and Donna Reyes Ching.  Alfredo, Robert and James are Directors of the event and are also Eskrima Grandmasters.  Donna is the Treasurer and is a beginner in the sport. 

Please come and support WEKAF by attending the event.  Tickets can either be purchased at the door or online at www.wekafhawaii.com. 

To raise funds to assist some of the participants with travel and other expenses, a WEKAF World Championships Fundraiser Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 27th at Ewa Beach Golf Club on Oahu. It is a four-person team scramble format offering many outstanding prizes, a bento lunch, post tournament buffet and lots of fun and camaraderie.  Check in is at 10:00 a.m. and shotgun start at 12:00 p.m.  Entry forms for participants, donors and sponsors may be found at www.wekafhawaii.com (see Events).

Your support would be much appreciated at the Eskrima event, golf fundraiser or as a donor or volunteer.  We need all the help we can get and are asking for volunteers to assist with ticket sales, event check-in, souvenir and concession sales, and other areas.  Contact Donna at wekafhawaii@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Anyone interested in Eskrima and joining Grandmaster Robert Garcia’s school at the Filipino Community Center (FILCOM) in Waipahu, can call (808) 224-2551 or email bdphawaii@gmail.com.  Classes are on Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Monday, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Save the dates and look forward to seeing you at these exhilarating, fun-filled events!

NOVEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

Download the full PDF of the November 2017 Newsletter by clicking here.

The Lana’i Connection is published twice a year (April and November) 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).

LACA Luncheon 2017

The annual LACA At Las Vegas Scholarship Luncheon buzzed with an array of excited alumni, family and friends on September 23, 2017 at the California Hotel.  This year’s theme emphasized “Love and Loyalty” – Loyalty for our alma mater, Lana’i High and Elementary School and the Love for our island, Lana’i.

A traditional chant honoring the island of Lana’i was offered and is reprinted upon request:

“ Hanohano Lana’i ke kauna’oa,  
Kohu kapa ‘ahu’ula kau poohiwi,
‘Oiwi nani ‘oe ku kilakila
Kehakeha i ka maka ke ‘ike aku
‘Alawa iho ‘oe I kona nani
Honi aku I ke’ala o ka palai
Ha’ina Lana’i i ana ka puana
Kohu kapa ‘ahu’ula kau poohiwi.
Honored is Lana’i by the kauna’oa,
Like a feather cape on its shoulder.
You are beautiful
Standing proudly for eyes to behold.
As you glance at her beauty
The scent of palai is wafter.
Tell the refrain of Lana’i,
Like a feather cape on its shoulder.”

A warm welcome to the attendees was extended by LACA board secretary and event co-chairman, Phyllis Coochie Tanodra Cayan.  The board emphasized its focus is to sustain the two scholarship awards given annually to two deserving seniors.  The 2017 awards in May went to Leonard Valdez (LACA Thomas Roy Nunotani Scholarship for $1,000) and to Ian Viloria (LACA Suzanne Pascua Damian Scholarship for $500).  Folks were encouraged to donate any amount towards the LACA Scholarship Fund to continue assistance to deserving seniors to pursue their higher education goals.

Two generous donations came from Mariano and Solidad Masicampo who were unable to attend this year as they were on Lana’i visiting family; and the second donation was from the Wilkinson Family in memory of Dr. Bill Wilkinson who had passed this year.

An inspiring invocation was offered by Ruth Nakasone, LACA board treasurer.  Ruth hails from the island of Kauai and has diligently served on the LACA board for many years in memory of her late husband, Hideke Nakasone, who hailed from Lana’i.  A moment of silence was held in memory of all former Lana’ians, family and friends who made Lana’i the special place it is.

Authentic Hawaiian music was provided by the father-son duo of Kevin Brown and Ikaika Brown in their nahenahe style especially sweet in their renditions of “Ko’ele” and “Mele O Lana’i” during the buffet luncheon.  Centerpieces were designed by board member, Monica Cockett who created a stunning white silk orchids arrangement in a glass vase with a hand etched pineapple design.  Each centerpiece was sold with proceeds going to the scholarship fund.  Each setting had a green and yellow favor packet comprising of a cute pair of slipper luggage tags, a notepad and a pineapple recipe book.  Also, inserted in the bright yellow program was a special pin made of tiny pine cones from Lana’i, sprayed golden with green leaves looking like a pineapple.  Many folks pinned it on immediately, proclaiming their “Love and Loyalty to Lana’i.”  Mahalo nui loa to the creative hands of Terri Pascua, Ruth Nakasone and Monica Cockett who created the meaningful favors.  This year’s green and yellow ribbon leis woven with pull tabs (mahalo Marge Asato for the tabs) adorned each attendee and were created by Norante and Marilyn Fernandez and Sue Damian. Mahalo nui loa!  The Silent Auction was a bargain for the winning bidders and boasted many island favorites like Spam, macadamia nut candies, Kona coffee as well selected fashion handbags and other accessories.  All proceeds from the Silent Auction benefits the scholarship fund.  Mahalo Sue and her nieces, Trudi and Karol for another outstanding Silent Auction!

More kokua for the scholarship fund was raised from two raffles and direct sales of donated handcrafted bracelets, O’ahu spa certificates and assorted goodies. The yearly hand-crafted ukulele donated by Pedring Dugay was a stunning Zebra wood creation in its own case and won by Susanna Kincaid, an attendee and founding director at every LACA reunion since its inception.  Other raffle items  included a wooden clock and two framed etchings won by Clay Garalde and his Ohana. The Grand Prize drawing of the Five Nights At California Hotel certificate went to Janice Tung and the Redwood Restaurant Dinner Certificate valued at $100 went to John Preston Lloyd.  Folks enjoyed winning prizes as well as donating with direct purchases and bids at the Silent Auction.  Mahalo nui loa!

Two alumni and board members of the Lana’i Culture and Heritage Center (LCHC), Warren Osako and Dan Del Rosario were the key note speakers this year.  Both advocated for the work and community outreach by the cultural center especially in the preservation of early plantation documents, photos and relics.  Warren talked about the early days of pineapple work – the manual labor of picking pine for the hourly pay of seven (7) cents an hour.  He displayed a small yellow card for an employee that would record his hours worked which was used to calculate his pay at the end of the work week.  Folks gasped at the low hourly wages for jobs working under the hot sun in the pineapple fields.  In closing, Warren read the name of the long-ago employee as “Lloyd Cockett” and presented the well-worn card to an appreciative board member Monica Cockett, daughter of the late well-known Uncle Lloyd.

Dan Del Rosario spoke to the various programs that the LCHC facilitates in the community including the annual summer program for high school students.  This program brings together adults with the youth of Lana’i to interact with the history and the island’s resources in shared weeks of exploration, caring for the land,and creating new stories and art inspired by the island.  All Lana’i folks are encouraged to keep informed on the center’s activities via their website www.Lanaichc.org.

The second half of the program was filled with folks sharing their Lana’i memories.  Monica Cockett started the sharing and told how as a child, her most disliked chore was in the morning before going to school, she had to empty out the chamber pots at the outdoor outhouse.  Well, one morning she was a little late for school and just hurried up to the outhouse with the chamber pots; flung the door open and tossed the chamber pot contents in without looking.  Immediately, a barrage of Filipino swear words was shouted by an unnamed Filipino neighbor!  Monica didn’t look, she just ran home.  Surprisingly, no one found out it was her!

Dan Del Rosario recalled a memory of the fishing shacks that once lined the edge of the now Manele Small Boat Harbor and how the old folks would huli huli turkey and at Christmas it would be a huli huli pig.  He recalled his Papa and friends drinking gallons of booze or something.  At Keomoku, Dan remembered his Dad digging a well with Uncle John with a debate on how deep to go. Unfortunately, they did hit salt water having gone too deep.  Dan notes how kids now days will not believe spending entire summers at Naha fishpond, driving through the tunnel of low kiawe trees by putting down the windshield and ducking down in the Jeep – real Lana’i-style!  His Papa’s wisdom included mana’o to “…take care the kai and the ‘aina feed us,” and he always said how lucky they were to have come to Lana’I where folks help each other and shared their fish or bananas with neighbors.  This is the heart and soul of Lana’i.  Dan added he understands that “…I am the way I am being from Lana’i…”

Louie Obado remembers his Lana’i days filled with riding his horse, his Harley Davidson and getting his car license (a rite of passage for many teens on Lana’i).  He recalls going to White Stone and picking limu.  Later, when he got out of the Army, all the limu at White Stone was gone because new immigrants has pulled out the entire limu by its roots.  Aue!  He also shared hanging out with Bozo on Block 35 and whenever there was some kind of trouble the cops would first go to Block 35. Evidently, the notorious kolohe boys all lived on Block 35 – the Enfields, the Tanodras, the Pagays, the Tadios!

Ruth Nakasone shared her late kolohe husband, James Hideke’s varsity letter “L” and his sports certificates earned from his achievements at Lana’i High.  At that time, Ruth noted that the team captains were Larry Tanigawa, Dickie Trujillo, and Arsenio Perez under the direction of Coach Minami.

Elaine Perry was very well known as an athlete in her high school days.  She laughingly shared how one day the girls basketball team was playing in the gym.  Elaine was preparing to make a basket when her underwear (no elastic then) slid to her knees as she lunged and made a really good basket.  Oh, how she scrambled to pull up her underwear!  Another memory Elaine shared was working in the pine fields and having to use the bathroom without anyone seeing you or getting poked by the plants.  She said life was wonderful and thanks God she was born on Lana’i.  After graduation, Elaine continued married, raised a family and continued to play sports and travel all over the world.  A particularly significant memory was at age 75 being on the National U.S.A. championship team for Senior Women and travelling to the Seniors Olympics.  What an achievement for a humble Lana’i wahine!

Bob Hirayama is proud to be born and raised on Lana’i and being able to attend school in those days.  He acknowledges Mr. George Ito, who was present, as inspiring him to pursue a degree in woodwork while at a Wisconsin university.  Bob thanked the old folks for teaching him a lot of things, but he especially remembers Uncle Lloyd Cockett for his aloha.  Uncle Lloyd showed him all the places around the island and taught him the old Hawaiian ways to take care the island.  Bob thanked his old hunting partner, Monica Cockett and friend Ted with whom he would go holoholo with Uncle Lloyd.  He remembers those days filled with Uncle Lloyd’s stories and wished he had learned more then.

Irene Dalde, Class of ’58 shared her love for Lana’i and memories of playing PeeWee, marbles, hide & seek.  She said when they lived on Block 35 they would hide in the “ban-yo” or bathroom house and the old man would yell at them to “Get Out.”  She feels some regret that after high school it was the norm to get away from the small community.  However, Irene did return to help her parents run the island’s only theater and four lane bowling alley business with a tiny restaurant and pool hall.  Irene enjoyed going to the library as a teen because it was located near the gym and she could watch all the boys going to the gym!  In retrospect, Irene feels very fortunate to be from Lana’i.

Pinky Blanko shared that her grandma’s house was near the chicken fight place and a big part of her growing up memories.  She remembers her Grandma taking in laundry from the single Filipino men workers and how she had to iron starched clothes including the boxer shorts.  Pinky reflected she learned so much about working hard from her Grandma and is proud to be from Lana’i.

Ricky Tamashiro did a replay of the “…Tamashiro to Tamashiro to Tamashiro…” sportscaster and noted that the players first names were Nelson, Wayne and Wade.  He remembered the many nicknames Lana’i friends had like “Bato” “Fats” “High Blood” which was often based on a person’s character or physical appearance.  He remembers growing up with the Nobui boys and the Anbe girls, going to the Buddhist church and the annual Obon Festival.  One day, Ricky and his brother walked half way to church, then turned around to go home, and got lickings for not really going to church.  He said he couldn’t sit for three days!  Ricky reminded folks how we all grew up together on Lana’i by sharing and helping each other.  He notes that the Lana’i golfers continue to kokua with the high school scholarship fund.  Also, Ricky shared that the Cavendish golf course is the best in Hawaii which not much folks realize that the #6 hole is a significant challenge due to the crosswinds and that the #3 hole remains an old school remnant.

Doris Anbe shared how much aloha her family has for Lana’i.  Her son came home in August, told her he wanted the wedding on Lana’i, and it was planned on two weeks notice with 18 family members in attendance.  Doris was pleased with the memorable reception being held at the Hotel Lana’i and recommends the historic inn for future visits.

“Jojo” Endrina Timbreza laughingly shared her Lana’i wedding day to her second husband and classmate, Thor known as the “Ukulele Boy” in high school.  Jojo said Thor insisted on being married on Lana’i at the Catholic Church to be followed by a blessing at Pu’u Pehe (Sweetheart Island).  The wedding went off as planned.  After the ceremony, the bride and groom remained to sign the certificates with the priest while all the attendees drove off to Pu’u Pehe.  The priest finished the signing, and went off to drive to Manele, too.  Thor and Jojo stood outside the church,  and then realized that everyone had left and they had no car to go to Manele.  Luckily, the late Dolpho Sanches was driving by, stopped and asked them what were they doing alone at the church.  A little flustered by the oversight, they did make it to Pu’u Pehe with Dolpho’s help.

Much reminiscing was going on at each table as memories were evoked by the above speakers and or folks remembering each other’s family or neighbors.  This is the essence of the annual LACA luncheon to share a meal, to share Lana’i memories and to kokua the scholarship fund.  MAHALO NUI LOA TO ALL WHO MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LACA SCHOLARSHIP FUND!!!

Save the date and make your travel plans for the next LACA Scholarship Luncheon in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at noon at the Ohana Room, California Hotel.  Registration forms are in this issue.  Any questions may be directed to the LACA Board at PO Box 515, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782 or via email at info@Lanaiconnection.com.