Category Archives: Alumni News

CLASS OF 1958

By Mae Morita Takata

Class of 1958 celebrated their 77th Birthday at the Main Street Station Buffet, in Las Vegas, on September 22, 2017.

Carol Ann Tsumura Fujimoto, made a beautiful ribbon Lei that looked like crown flowers. Each one of us received one.  I really felt special.

The Invocation in Hawaiian was given by Monica Cockett. We then gave tribute to our departed classmates as George Higa rang the bell, and Leroy Cabanilla read the 22 names.  What a beautiful tribute to our classmates.

Carol Ann our mistress of ceremony then announced Lunch was being served.  So much ono food to choose from, I forgot I was on a diet.  During lunch we talked about the good old school days and all the fun we use to have. We all felt truly blessed to be with one another at this age of lucky 77.

Then it was time to exchange gifts.  So much gifts given out to all. I thought it was an early Christmas or 77 years of saving up for today.  A great  time was had by all.  We are all looking forward to seeing each other again at LACA’s luncheon on Saturday.

My classmates were:  Carol Ann Tsumura Fujimoto, Jeri Hirayama Iba, Irene Dalde Seawright, Monica Cockett, Ernest and Bertha Paguy, George Higa, Leroy Cabanilla, and Andy Calunod.

A HUI HO, see you next year at LACA!

Class of 1958 Reunion Update

By Jeri Iba and Robert Viduya

The Class of 1958 was the honored guests of the Class of 1959 at their 75th birthday celebration reunion in Las Vegas on September 24, 2016.  Also, joining in the festivities was the Class of 1961 who gathered to celebrate their 55th class reunion.

For a brief moment in time, the combined Lana’i alumni was able to turn back the clock to yesteryear.  Everyone in thoughts and conversations touched on the days of our youth and what it was like growing up on Lana’i.  We reveled in the stories that have become more precious with the passage of time.

As part of this combined class reunion, each class presented their “Roll of Honor” with a list of deceased classmates.  We upheld the tradition of paying homage by announcing each departed classmate’s name.  We revered their memories and venerated their lives in thoughts of aloha.

It was obvious how much hard work and planning had been done for this occasion.  The program highlights included musical entertainment, door prizes, exchanges of gifts and mementos, delicious food, and other amenities.  All of this in a beautiful setting of decorations and creative centerpieces.

Now we approach that stage in life when we have more yesterdays than tomorrows and we are humbled by the distinction bestowed on us by the Class of 1959 and the Class of 1961 at this reunion.  It was a great alumni reunion!  Mahalo nui loa!

Classes 1959, 1961, and 1958 Reunion Update

Submitted by Gloria Obado Reyes

It was a celebration we’ll forever remember. Class of 1959 celebrated their 75th Birthday and Class of 1961 celebrated their 55th Anniversary since High School. Honored guest Class of 1958 and families joined in. Thank you, California Hotel & Casino for adding your special touch covering our chairs with white linen and blue bows that evening. Class of 1959 colors. A celebration with class! A fun Slot Machine Tournament was a smashing hit enjoyed by all that morning.

1959-1961-1958

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Many thanks to everyone that helped to make our celebration a fun, nostalgic day. Mr. David Lebby, VP, GM California Hotel & Casino, Pedring Dugay, Sherry Ramaila, Carol Pajari, Carol Tamashiro Nunotani of Las Vegas Jerkys, Sue & Priscilla Obado, and Sharon Reyes. To ALL of our donators… much mahalo!

Class of 1966 Celebrated their 50th Reunion on Lana’i

A nostalgic reunion by the Class of 1966 was held in early September 2016 on the island of Lana’i.  Folks were inspired by being on island and shared many memories of growing up on Lana’i especially attending Lana’i High & Elementary from kindergarten to senior years.

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Sitting L to R: Ronnie Awa, Maureen Oyama, Patti Endo, Bobby Ruidas, Francine Lum, Lydia Miranda, Lorraine Funada, Lynette Suetos, Stella Agliam.
Standing L to R:  Kito Collado, Thomas Tamashiro, Vince Del Rosario, David Hubin, Ralph Black, Cecil Asuncion, Richard Morita, Troy Olsen, Richard Masicampo, Ronnie Tabura, John Dela Cruz, Gary Onuma.

RIP James Daguay, Dennis Del Rosario and Pearl Ah Ho.

Class of 1969 Updates

1969

Front Row from Left:  Wade Tamashiro, Doug Cayan, Bruce Matsuura
Second Row from Left:  Bernie Tamashiro, Cathy Nohara, Karen Sakuma
Third Row from Left:  Joanne Niibu Zukeran, Sharen Hashimoto, Kathleen Endo, Coochie Tanodra, Luka Cayan

The small but mighty Class of 1969 (only 34 seniors) met over lunch at the 99 Ranch Market Food Court (O’ahu) on Saturday, October 22, 2016.  The luncheon highlighted their 47th year since graduation from Lana’i High & Elementary School.  Class trivia included their class colors of red and white with the red carnation as the class flower.  Their class songs were “The Road Not Taken” and “I’ve Gotta Be Me” directed by then music teacher, Mr. Arnold Meister.

Talk story memories were a blast from the past as many started together from kindergarten through high school.  Folks fondly remembered those who had “ua hala” (deceased) with the most recent this year being Donna Shin RIP.  Memories included a class hike up Munro Trail, beach days, picking pine, putting on school skits and school dances.  Like the song goes we “tried to remember!”

The class plans to meet again in early 2017 to discuss their 50th reunion in the year 2019.  Their last class reunion was on Lana’i in 2011 to celebrate their 60th birthday together.  Please send your updated email and contact information to bernietamashiro38@gmail.com or joannzuke@yahoo.com.

Class of 1959 Birthday Celebration – Sept. 2016

The Class of 1959 will be celebrating their 75th birthdays together in September 2016 in Las Vegas the day before the LACA luncheon at the Pullman Room.  Their special guests will be the Class of 1958 and the Class of 1961.  Surprises are being kept secret till September.  Marge Asato is the contact for the Class of 1959, Jeri for the Class of 1958 and Jane for the Class of 1961.  Please get the contact numbers from your class representative or classmates. 

Obituary for Robert N. Kinoshita

OBITUARY NOTICE FOR ROBERT NORIHIDE KINOSHITA –
January 7, 1931 – January 17, 2016
[Reprinted from the Lanai Times, February 2016 issue.]

“And in the setting sun shall vanish, All the glory is thy love.  Love and loyalty forever is my pledge to thee.”

The words to Lanai High and Elementary School’s alma mater were not just words to Robert Norihide Kinoshita, they were words he lived as the school’s staunchest supporter throughout his lifetime.

It was with sadness I read the letter I received from Philip Obado informing me of Robert Kinoshita’s passing on January 17 at his home in Kailua, Oahu.

“We were talking about the old days on Lanai recently and he was telling me about starting Lanai Alumni and Community Association (LACA) so I thought you might like the enclosed information for Lanai Today,” Philip wrote.  His obituary read:

Robert Norihide Kinoshita age 85 of Kailua, Hawaii, died on January 17, 2016.  Born in Lanai City on January 7, 1931, he was a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin,  He was predeceased by his first wife, Mildred Hanako Isobe.  He is survived by his wife, Constance Fusako Yoshioka-Kinoshita, son Dean (Aileen), grandsons Matthew and Ryan, daughter Sandra (George) Nakamoto, grandson Ty, daughter Carol (Alan) Lau, and granddaughter Julia and grandson Davis.  He is also predeceased by father Jisaburo, mother Hatsuno, brothers Toshio Kenji Wayne, and sister Sachiko.

His schooling includes Lanai High School and Chaminade University.  His life’s career includes employment with the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, US Department of Agriculture, US Army Reserve as Supervisor Staff Administrator for the US Army Hawaii Training Center, Infantry 100th Battalion, 442 Infantry, 411th Engineer Battalion (Construction), US Army Personnel Administration Records Center, Army Reserve Personnel Center.  He retired from the US Army as Chief Warrant Officer, CW4.

Upon retirement, he entered private business as President/Owner of Pine Enterprises, Inc. dba Honolulu Transfer & Storage, Honolulu Specialty Sea Foods, Honolulu Tire Service and Honolulu Container Sales & Rental, and Hawaiian Nursery Products.

For his military service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.  He was also a founding member of Go For Broke Association, and Sand Island Business Association.

A visitation at 3 p.m. followed by a service at 4 p.m. for Robert Kinoshita will be held at Honpa Hongwanji  Hawaii Betsuin located at 1717 Pali Highway, Honolulu on February 21, 2016.

Editor Alberta de Jetley’s Note:  Robert Kinoshita was a great supporter of our school’s athletic programs.  Many of the storage containers on campus were donated to the school to store its sports equipment.  When Lanai Animal Rescue Center was being built, he donated a 40-ft. retrofitted container with doors and windows to it to be used as an animal clinic.  Throughout his busy life, he remembered his classmates and Lanai friends and stayed in touch with them throughout his life.  He will always be remembered with much aloha by all who knew him.

Class of 1959 Precious Moments

Pedro Pedring and his gracious wife Gloria hosted a class get-together at their lovely home on July 18, 2015.  Thanks to Lea Nobui Suzuki and George Ramaila who returned to attend this gathering.  Much reminiscing over an ono potluck was enjoyed by all.  Another memorable class event we’ll cherish forever.

L-R: Sherry Ramaila, Janet Anbe Otani, Sonja Okamitsu Tyau, Gloria Obado Reyes, Vince Reyes, Pedering Dugay, Richard Asato.

Back row: George Ramaila, Marge Morita Asato, Lea Nobui Suzuki, Phyllis Morita McFadden, Thor Timbreza, Jojo Endrina Timbreza, Luther Tyau.  Missing are the photographer Wendell Suzuki and our hostess Gloria Dugay.