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!