Alumni News: Class of 1952

by Richard Kawakami

Class of 1952, Marukai Lunch

The Class of ’52 met at Marukai Food Court on February 18 at 11:00 AM.  Present were Stanley, Mitsue, Eddie, Irene, Edith, David, Marcellino, Mildred and Richard.  Jane was probably in Vegas.  The following items were discussed over food from Eddie/Mitsue — Delicious Shrimp Tempura and Lumpia (still warm), David — Almond Manju, Marcellino — Class Of ’52 Cake, Irene — Loft Haas Cookies, Edith–Peppermint Bark, Shawn Meyers–Lemon Cookies, Mildred — Assorted Danish Pastries and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Stanley — Assorted Arare Cookies AND Richard — King’s Haupia Cake.  We celebrated Richard’s birthday with a Haupia Cake.  Happy Birthdays also to Hawaii classmates Marilyn, Susie and Jamie with our Class of ’52 cake for all our 75 year old birthdays.

Marcellino gave Eddie an assortment of gifts — sox, fancy boxer underwear, spam, corn, calendar, etc. Stanley gave me my favorite Okinawa Sweet Potato Manju  for recovering from my fake illness since we quit exchanging gifts.

Travel News:  Eddie/Mitsue are headed for Vegas in March/April.  Richard may go to Vegas in April.  David is going to Hawaii in May.  Stanley is traveling to Vegas, Hawaii and back to Vegas in August.  Can’t make up your mind?  Richard & Barbara spent 2 days at Valley View & Pala last week.  

Health News:  Eddie had some blood drawn today before the meeting.  Marcellino is recovering from illness.  His niece mentioned that he was very stubborn — she went to pick him up to take him to the hospital but when she arrived, he was gone.  She called the doctor to not release him until she came to pick him up.  We are getting obstinate in our old age.

Next Meeting on March 18th.

50 Years for Class of 1958

by Monica Cockett
April 2009 Newsletter

Class of 1958

Lanai High School Class of 1958 celebrated their 50th reunion in October 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada with a group of 17 made up of 13 classmates and ‘Ohana.  A wonderful time was enjoyed by all at the Fremont Casino/Hotel’s Bronze Room, Friday October 10th.

After 50 years out of high school, we are still true to our class motto: Wisdom from the past.  Strength for the future.  Makana (gifts) were shared with each other, as our parents (wisdom from the past) taught us to share.  Dinner was ono food and plenty to eat.  “Strength for the future.” (At our age we need the strength.)

Karaoke singing was a hit and enjoyed by all.  Dr. Ismael Naanep, retired Colonel Robert Viduya and Sir Mejoe Jamero, made the ladies swoon with their deep singing voices.  What a treat!  I think they missed their calling.  Lady Irene Dalde Seawright was the lone female singer with the rest of the classmates joining in with their joyous voices.

We were visited by some underclassmen who knew where the fun was: Marge Morita Asato, Leatrice Nobui Suzuki, Pedring Dugay and his wife Gloria.  It was nice to have them join us and participate in the sing along and play the many fun games.  After all the fun, laughter and sharing of the years past, it was time to end a wonderful evening saying,
“Aloha until we meet again, for life is such a precious gift so enjoy it to its fullest.”

A special thank you to Bob Hirayama, class of ’57 who donated many of the woodcraft prizes which he made so we could all enjoy and keep remembrances of our 50th reunion.

Also, thank you to all the classmates who donated monetary gifts, bakers with their delicious cookies, manju, snacks, craft items that are so useful and key chains from Lana’i.  A special mahalo to Carol Ann Tsumura Fujimoto for the beautiful ribbon lei that she made for our reunion. Everyone ended up with a bagful of goodies to take home.

We extend many thanks to the 1958 committee members who organized this event and made our 50th anniversary the finest gathering ever.

(Download the full April 2009 Newsletter – PDF)

Congratulations!

Krislyn

Krislyn Yuki Nakasue, the long-awaited child to Newsletter Designer/Webmaster, Donna Shiroma Nakasue (granddaughter to James Shiroma, LHES alumnus, class of 1955) was born on October 4, 2008.  After 15 years of marriage, the couple was blessed with their little miracle.  Donna, a former employee of the US Postal Service, made the decision to leave her career to become a full-time mom to baby Krislyn and is currently doing freelance work in web design, desktop publishing, photo/video editing and slideshows, and photography.  If you are interested in any of the services that she provides, Donna can be reached via e-mail at donna_nakasue@yahoo.com.

(Download the full April 2009 Newsletter – PDF)

Special Offer to LACA Members

Subscription to the Lana`i Times at a special rate

Aloha Friends of Lana’i ,

We invite the members of LACA to subscribe to the new full color monthly print version of Lanai only newspaper The Lana’i Times at a special LACA-only rate of only $35 per year , a savings of $10 off of the regular rate of $45.

Please send your check payable to:

The Lana’i Times,
c/o Barry Osman
P.O. Box 630226
Lana’i City, Hawaii, 96763

If you wish to also send a gift subscription, please note that with your check. Twelve monthly issues will be sent to you on the first (or as close as possible) of each month.

The newly expanded The Lana’i Times newspaper is not affiliated with the online newsletter, and is chock full of stories and color photos of your old friends and neighbors (with captions!)  We look forward to bringing you the latest on the people, places and events of the Island of Lana’i.

Aloha,
Suzie and Barry Osman
Editor and Publisher
The Lana`i Times

Click to download a full color version of The Lana’i Times newspaper:

50th Reunion for the Class of 1957

Class of 1957 (click for a larger view)
Class of 1957 (click for a larger view)

by Shirley Long

You all come… and that is what 15 graduates of the class of 1957 and their spouses did July 19, 20, 21 2007 for the 50th high school reunion on our dear island of Lanai.

To launch this successful 50th reunion, the planning committee met at Zippy’s in the summer of 2006: Bob Hirayama, Bob Tsumura, Gladys Shinoda Lee, Shirley Sakoda Long and Jackie Botelho. Jackie, who looked forward to this reunion, died a month before the reunion. A 60 page memory reunion booklet was dedicated to him.

Momi Perry Suzuki was our gracious hostess for our first night pot-luck and again for left-over lunch
after our visit with the school the next day. Oh such ono kau kau and many happy memories and stories to share after not seeing classmates for years. Of course we had to have that barbeque at Manele (Hulupoe) beach for that is what we did when we were growing up. Allen Kaiaokamaile provided us with
fresh grilled fish and out of this world teriyaki deer.

We also visited the cemetery to share beautiful flowers provided from Bob Hirayama’s yard for our deceased classmates and friends.

Our last evening, chefs, Lillian Oshima Rivera and Gladys Shinoda Lee fed us more onolicious kau kau. The night was filled with karaoke singing and prizes
made by Bob Hirayama who is a retired shop teacher and was the outstanding MC for the evening. Eleanor Valdez Robles treated us to her graceful hula dancing accompanied by her husband, Leo on the ukulele.

The class of 1957 donated a check for $2,235.00 to their alma mater and was given a tour of the facilities. As most of you know, there are many good changes, but we did miss the old classrooms.

We were all happy and grateful that so many people came. In our hearts our Lanai will always be Lanai no ka oi.

Give Aloha Campaign

There are just 5 days left in Give Aloha. Up through 9/23/08, Lanai High and Elementary School has received just 6 donations totaling $43.10.  We’d like to encourage LACA members on Maui, Hawai`i Island and Oahu to go into Foodland or Sack N Save before 9/30/08 and make a donation to the school, code # 77838. With the proposed budget cuts, every penny donated to the school is even more important.

Mahalo for your support and generosity!

2009 LACA Annual Membership Social

2009 LACA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL

Date:  May 16, 2009
Place:  Pearl Country Club

Time:  5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost:  To be announced

Coincidentally, the date selected for LACA’s Annual Social  falls on Armed Forces Day.  Special tributes will be made by the Class of 1956 and by LACA.  How nice it would be to have members of the family, classmates and friends, veterans and those in the military turn out for one or both of the events.

The Fallen Heroes tribute by the Class of 1956 will honor fifteen alumni war casualties.

World War II: Saul S. Dias, Shosai Kutaka, Choyei Oshiro, Wallace H. Oshiro, Nobuaki Tomita

Korean War: Donald Miyajima, Rufino Garalde, Yeikichi Itokazu, Kiyomitsu Kutsunai

Vietnam War: Joseph K. Saracom, Leonard M. Tadios, Dalmacio Pascua, Jr.,Gilbert B. Suetos, Narciso Bertomen, Jr.

Iraq War: Blake Magaoay

The first presentation of the Fallen Heroes photo display will be on December 13, 2008, to the Lana’i Culture and Heritage Center.  The committee spearheaded by Tony Magaoay, Betty Nakafuji Itakura, Margaret Osako Platt and Donny Tadios is coordinating the Lana’i presentation with Kepa Maly, Executive Director of LCHC. LACA Directors Sheila Eligado, Coochie Cayan, and volunteers, will help as needed on Lana’i.

The second presentation by the Class of 1956 to LACA will be on May 16 at Pearl Country Club on Oahu.  Sharen Hashimoto, LACA Hawaii photo gallery coordinator, and committee members Nickie Oshiro, Mary Ellen Nakoa, Charlotte Holsomback, Jacob and Rosita Hueu, will follow up and arrange the photo display at the LACA Hawaii building at 1064 Sand Island Parkway. In gratitude for service rendered, LACA will acknowledge the presence of retired, discharged and active military personnel at the event.

Additional attractions:

• Recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Member Award will be Pierce Myers, principal of Lana’i High and Elementary School.
• Several members of kumu hula Candy Pollack’s halau Na Wahine O Ka hula Mai Ka Pu’uwai will be providing great entertainment.
• Relax and enjoy the music of Sgt. John Kauwenaole alumnus of the class of 1968 and his group.
• Assortment of raffles will be up for bids.
• Ono buffet!
• Variety of delicious desserts.

A sign up form will be in the 2008 November issue of the Lana’i Connection

Lana`i High Softball Crowned 2008 MIL Champions

IT’S NOT HOW YOU START BUT WHERE YOU FINISH…
LANA’I HIGH SOFTBALL CROWNED 2008 MIL CHAMPIONS…
PLACES 4th at STATE TOURNAMENT

By Roderick Sumagit

It has been a remarkable season, one that will never be forgotten. Through it all, the Pine lasses managed to keep their goal in sight: “MIL TITLE…. STATE TOURNAMENT”.

At the start of the season, expectations were very high.  Having qualified for the state tournament last year and returning seven starters from last year’s team; it was our time for a championship run.

It didn’t look so promising after the first four games.  The team was 0-4 and had been outscored 47-4, but this didn’t dampen their spirits.  The Pine lasses believed they could compete with the rest of the league and worked extremely hard to improve their level of play.  Through mud, rain, and sunburns, the team improved their level of play – winning 9 out of 12 games (5-1 against DII and 4-2 against DI teams).  One of the victories came against the defending state champion Baldwin Bears 2-0. The Pinelasses’ work ethics and determination paid off.  With an overall record of 9-7, the team captured the 2008 DII MIL Softball title and an automatic bid to the state tournament.

It was again an honor to represent not only the school but also the entire island at a state tournament.  This was the third state tournament appearance for Lana’i Softball but it was the first as a seeded team.  Being seeded #4 in the tournament gave the team a bye in the opening round.   In the quarterfinals, the Pinelasses faced the OIA second place team -Kaiser Cougars.  Key hitting and spectacular defensive plays gave the Pine lasses a 3-2 victory. Even more heartwarming at the end of the game, were the Pinelasses and alumni singing the alma mater.

Reaching the semifinals gave the team an opportunity to play in a world-class college facility – the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.   The opponent was the #1 seeded Kaua’i Red Raiders.  The game was a pitching duel with both pitchers striking out 10 batters.  Both teams played their hearts out.  Kaua’i prevailed 6-2.

The third place game was against Kapa’a, another Kaua’i team.   It was a seesaw battle between both teams.  The Pine lasses had the lead going into the bottom of the six; however, Kapa’a scored two unearned runs to win the game which was shortened due to a time limit.

Throughout the season the entire team held their heads high. They were humble in victory and gracious in defeat.  Quitting was never an option. The team got to showcase what “Lana’i Pride” is all about.  They had been crowned MIL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS and placed 4th at the state tournament.

They couldn’t have made it that far without the support of the Lana’i fans. Whenever they played – at home or on the road, the tremendous support from family members, friends, and alumni gave them a home field feeling and inspired them to play to their fullest potential.  Thanks to you all for an unforgettable season.

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