Irene Masocol Pacol (Class of 1956)

Irene_Masicampo_LACA_NewsletterGreetings, everyone!  My name is Irene Masocol Pacol.  I was born on Lanai and attended Lanai High and Elementary School up to the fourth grade then moved to the Big Island. I graduated from Hilo High School and pursued a profession in the medical field.  My dream came true and I graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing.

For the past three years, I have been fortunate in being a lay volunteer and go to the Philippines to render medical surgical and dental service with Aloha Medical Mission.  Volunteers pay the costs for their plane fare, food, and lodging but transportation for the medical volunteers to and from the hospital is provided.  Surgical and dental services are free of charge but people are required to bring their own food, water, bed sheets, blankets, pillow and toilet paper.  Mission volunteers, also, must supply their own toilet paper.

Unpleasant but a realistic experience is the unavailability of flushed toilets and having to dispose of soiled toilet tissue in waste baskets. To remedy that problem in the Kabankalan Hospital where we worked, a bucket of water was poured down the toilet then flushed. Another medical/health procedure carried out is seeing young boys who have just been circumcised walking around with their legs spread and playing with other boys.

My last mission of March 2014 was in the town of Kabankalan on the island of Negros.

Negros is divided into two parts:  Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.  The sugar capital of the Philippines is Negros Occidental. After the mission, my friends and I traveled to the island of Palawan for rest and recreation. While there I learned that Filipinos, like the Japanese, spoke different dialects. The dialect of the muslim woman who came from Mindanao was Marano, in Negros it’s Hiliganon, from Cebu it’s Cebuanon, and from Palawan it’s Cayonon.  Although poverty stricken, people in the Philippines are resilient.  They appear happy. strong, calm, very kind, respectful and gentle. They smile and raise their eyebrows in greeting others.

The past two years I went to the town of Talibon on the Visayan island of Bohol.  In 2013 when the mission was over, I visited the town of Tabuelan on the island of Cebu in search of my father’s family.  It was such a thrill and gratifying moment when I finally got to meet my relatives!  

I’m blessed in being able to make a difference as a medical missionary and give back to my roots in the Philippines.  I am forever grateful that my parents came as immigrants to Hawaii and provided our ohana with better opportunities to succeed in life.

The Wright’s 25th Wedding Anniversary

Submitted by Gloria Obado Reyes (Class of 1959)

Wrights Anniversary

Vince & Gloria Obado Reyes, Richard & Marge Morita Asato, and George & Janet Anbe Otani, were guests of Dr. Philip and their classmate Anne “Archie” Garalde Wright’s 25th wedding anniversary on June 20, 2014. The lavish affair was held at the Kahala Hotel. Being local boys at heart, Vince and Richard wined and dined in their semi-formal social attire in aloha shirts. Willie K. entertained. A fun time was had by all!

Class of 1960 News

Angie Perez proudly shared her daughter Lynette Pagampao Reed, Class of 1984 completing her first mini-triathlon at Mission Bay, San Diego on October 6, 2013. Despite a very cold morning, Lynette did an excellent 1 hour 20 minutes swimming, bicycling and running time!

Class of 1960_triathlon

On February 14, 2014, upon request of Myrtle Dalde Reponte about 18 classmates and their families gathered for Valentine’s Day at the Mililani Golf Course restaurant. The luncheon featured door prizes including Myrtle’s beautiful paintings and pictures. It was an enjoyable fun time for everyone despite Myrtle’s long-term illness. A couple months later, the class was heartbroken on Myrtle’s passing on April 7, 2014. Her zest for life is sorely missed and her memory lives on in our hearts.

Carolyn Onuma Flood’s mother, Helen Onuma passed on June 17, 2014. Mrs. Helen Onuma will be remembered by our classmates for her attendance at our many class activities and reunions. Helen was active with the Lana’i senior citizens and loved to play the ukulele in their group! We will miss her too!

AIRMAN E3 Aiden G. Soriano, grandson of Frank Soriano and wife, Rose (Rodeo, CA.), great-grandson of Mrs. Esmenia Galinato (Lana’i City) is headed for his first assignment in aviation as an F-15 crew chief. Frank notes they are now three generations of serving our country – Frank in the USMC from 1963-1967 and a Vietnam Combat Veteran, his eldest son Kelly (deceased) served in the Coast Guard 1996 to 2000 and now Aiden in the Air Force.

Class of 1960_Frank Soriano & his grandson

Letters to the Editor

By Donna Ching, editor@lanaiconnection.com

Regarding “Address Unknown” in the last issue, Mitsue Osako is deceased. I am her daughter, Margaret S. Osako Platt (msoplatt), class of 1956. I’ve been living in California since 1961, but go back to visit Lanai about once a year. I enjoy reading The Lanai Connection! Thank you all for publishing it.
Aloha, Margaret
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Hi Donna,
My name is Betty Hahn Sun (Class of 1943). Thank you for sending the Lanai Connection which I look forward to reading twice a year. In the Address Unknown section, I noticed my cousin Katherine Minn’s name. She would be so happy to receive any notice about Lanai. We often talk about our days on Lanai. THOSE WERE HAPPY DAYS!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! My class (1970) we are planning a small get together at LACA/Vegas event this year. I was wondering if I can get the email address of the Treasurer who talked to us at the last event. Does she live in Hawaii? I was thinking of trying to get a member meeting maybe on Lanai or at LACA to discuss the issues facing the organization. It looks like the top three issues are money, membership & the future of LACA.

Ricky Macabio
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Dear Donna,

Thank you again for all the time, effort & sacrifices from you to LACA. Enclosed is a check towards LACA for operational expenses as you suggested in your presentation to the LACA audience in Vegas. Everyone I spoke to had a wonderful time & most importantly “Memorable”. No one can take that away from any of us. Wish I could make it an annual event like many of my relatives and friends.

The second check is for you to decide what you want to do. It is for all the above mentioned and your commitment to all of us that benefit from LACA. LACA comes on the legacy of Lanai “The Pineapple Island” & our innocence of love amongst friends. All of that, thanks to you, others involved LACA Staff, your family that have given you the heart & work ethics to strive to make everyone happy.

My best to you & all the rest. Hopefully, we’ll meet again at another LACA function.
Thank you so much,
Lance Nobui

P.S. Give my best to your Uncle Patrick Obado. If you can get him to LACA/Las Vegas when I am there, I’ll commit to another donation.

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Hi Donna,

I just got informed of what is happening to the association. Sadly, I had feared that unless someone took the initiative to take charge. It would not survive.

I want to thank you for everything that you have done & accomplished after Rosita resigned. She has done a lot for the many years, which was for over five years. Having to take care of her family, her priorities were commendable.

If you want to continue with your efforts, let me know if I can contribute, such as if you need monetary contribution. My only objection is to use the treasurers’ fund to support Lanai HS with it for student’s academic achievements. Money for those type of recognition should come from fund raisers.

Bob Kinoshita

Class of ’62 Reminder

By Sally Tabura Cadiente

If you haven’t already, it’s time to make travel plans to Las Vegas for LACA, the weekend of September 26th.  It’s your best opportunity to catch up with friends, talk about old times, and maybe make some bento money at the blackjack tables.

For our Lanai High Class of ’62 alumni, we’ll also be having a bash to celebrate our 70th birthdays!  So call the old gang to make sure they’ll all be there, have your grandkids load up the smart phone with family pictures, and don’t miss the best weekend of the year.

For more information, please contact Rosie Nakamura @ 702- 528-8246 or Chris Endrina Hickman @ 808- 722-0202.