By: Juan Degamo
The Lana’i High School (LHS) 75th Anniversary Celebration held on Lana’i July 5-7 on is now looked upon as being the LARGEST gathering of LHS alumni EVER anywhere. Nearly 500 alumni from more than 35 classes representing SIX generations of LHS alumni classes of the 1940’s to the present.
The events for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration began with the opening of the 1988 LHS 50th Anniversary Celebration time capsule on Saturday July 5th on the school campus. A crowd of nearly over 100 alumni gathered near the outdoor stage to witness the opening of the time capsule. Prior to the opening an informal program took place with LHS Athletic Director and LHS alumnus class of ’90, Roderick “Sumi†Sumagit welcomed everyone back “home†to Lana’i. Present were alumni who graduated in the 1940’s and on to the present. Before the actual opening of the time capsule, LHS Principal (Ret.) Pierce Myers was introduced to say a few words. The time capsule was then opened. The heavy concrete lid was pushed aside. And out from chambers of the time capsule were half a dozen sealed PVC tubes all containing items that were “buried†25 years prior in 1988. After the ceremony many remained to reunite and talk story.
That afternoon the items were taken out from the PVC tubes and were then put on display in the school cafeteria for alumni and the general public to view. What an experience it was to view and see these items that did not see the light of day for 25 long years! Items put on display were letters written by elementary students (now alumni themselves), hundreds of pictures, as well as all sorts of nick-knacks and trinkets. Also on display in the cafeteria were Memory Boards put together by participating alumni classes sharing pictures and memorabilia of their school days at LHES. A program to officially kick off the LHS 75th Anniversary Celebration weekend took place with guest speakers such as recently retired LHS Principal, Mr. Pierce Myers, former LACA President and original LACA board member during the presidency of Mr. Tommy Nunotani, Rosita Viduya-Hueu, 2012-13 Associated Students of Lana’i High (ASLH) Student Body President, Megan Amby, former LHS Principal (Ret.) Mr. Howard Sakamoto, and 2013-14 ASLH Student Body President, Tyler Pascua. In between speakers a performance was put on by Mr. Matt Glickstein and his elementary school student members of the Lana’i Academy of Performing Arts. Also at this event alumni registration and check in took place. Containers were issued to classes who wish to participate in the 2013 Time Capsule scheduled to be buried by the end of the 2013. And this time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2038 for the LHS Centennial (100th) Anniversary.
Later that same evening at the bowling alley the annual LHS Alumni Throwback Dance Party V took place. This event was first held in 2009 as a way for the LHS class of ’77 to celebrate turning the “Big 5-0â€. The following year the class of ’78 followed suit. In 2011 however, the event was renamed as the LHS Alumni Throwback Dance Party now held annually on the Friday before the Pineapple Festival. Year after year since 2010 this event has grown to epic proportions with scores of alumni coming home to hold their class reunions during this weekend which is now known as the Pineapple Festival/LHS Alumni Reunion Weekend. And what better time to come home and be amongst scores of other LHS alumni than during the Pineapple Festival. The evening started with a pot luck dinner traditionally “hosted†by the class who’s turning the “Big 5-0â€. And this year’s class was the class of ’81. Live music was provided by reunited members of school rock bands of the 60’s and 70’s. It was quite a night to remember as SIX generations of LHS alumni were reunited all under one roof.
The next morning excitement filled the air around the town square as preparations were underway in Dole Park for the annual Pineapple Festival. Meanwhile however, down at the school parking lot were LHS alumni and their classes all gathering and readying themselves for the LHS 75th Anniversary Celebration Parade of Classes. Although the majority of the participating classes chose to PROUDLY walk the parade route holding a class banner, there were a few classes that took it to another level with floats, pickup trucks, Hummers and golf carts. All decorated with school and class PRIDE. Participating classes were the class of ’59, ’63, ’73, ’64, ’61, ’67, ’82, ’78, ’74, ’79, ’72, ’70, ’80, ’75, ’84, ’76, 2010, ’77, ’85, 2003, ’97, ’83, ’90, ’86, ’89, ’87, ’81, ’88, ’68, ’93, and ’96. As the last class was given the signal to head out onto the parade route down Fraser Ave., Grand Marshal, LHS Principal (Ret.) Pierce Myers and Mrs. Jessie Figuerres-Myers (class of ’75 alumnus) were already returning back to the school parking lot. Therefore, at that on moment, the parade encircled the ENTIRE parade route going down Fraser Avenue, 8th Street, Lana’i Avenue, and 7th Street. Throughout the parade classes proudly shouted out cheers and yells from their days at LHS. As the last class returned back to the school parking lot, Grand Marshal, Pierce Myers called everyone to gather closer in the middle of the parking lot. There he summoned all LHS alumni cheerleaders to lead everyone in the singing of the Lana’i High School alma mater. Mr. Myers gave class of ’63 alumnus cheerleader, Royalene “Mamo” Aiona-Fernandez the honor to sing the opening notes. “Lana’i High…” For many, they haven’t sung the alma mater since their high school graduation. But once the song started, it was all like being in high school once again. Everyone sang with gusto and pride! Just as we all did in high school. Throughout the song the parking lot was a SEA of alumni. It was a chicken skin moment I am sure no one will soon forget for a long time to come.
After the parade classes went over to Dole Park to put up a tent and their class banner to “kapu” a spot for their class to sit and relax during the annual Pineapple Festival later that afternoon. During the first 3 hours of the festival (3:00-6:00pm), festival organizers gave the LHS 75th Anniversary Celebration the opportunity for alumni to share their talents and provide the entertainment to festival goers. Pulama Lana’i’s Chief Operating Officer, and LHS alumnus (class of ’75), Kurt Matsumoto also said a few words at the kick off of the festival. 6:00-9:00pm featured the headliner entertainment of the festival. The festival ended with a spectacular fireworks display that Lana’i has ever seen from Pulama Lana’i.
All in all this weekend was indeed a weekend to remember for a long time to come. It was such a good feeling to see SIX generations of LHS alumni come together sharing one common bond of being PROUD alumni of Lana’i High School. Alumni from as far back as the 1940’s came home to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. For one alumni who graduated in the 1940’s, the use of a walker did not stop from making the trip home to be part of the celebration. And it was all due to the social media of Facebook that this EPIC event and celebration took place. Even for people who did not have Facebook. All it took was reaching out via a few email addresses and the rest is history. All 500 alumni from more than 35 classes representing SIX generations. So until next time, see you in 2018 for the LHS 80th Anniversary Celebration.
