Category Archives: LACA

Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebrants

Half a century of togetherness.  Congratulations!

Class of 1951: George and Kay Matsuo Nakafuji
Los Angeles, CA
July 9, 1960

Class of 1953 : Valentine and Ann Aceret Tanodra
St. Anthony Church, Kalihi
February 6, 1960

Class of 1953
Jacob and Rosita Viduya Hueu
Sacred Hearts Church, Lana’i City
June 19, 1960

Fallen Heroes Tribute

The Fallen Heroes tribute by the Class of 1956 will honor fifteen alumni war casualties at the LACA Annual Membership Social on Saturday, May 16, at Pearl Country Club.

World War II
Pvt. Saul S. Dias
Pvt. Shosei Kutaka
Pvt. Choyei Oshiro
PFC Wallace H. Oshiro
PFC Nobuaki Tomita

Vietnam War
LCpl Narciso Bertomen, Jr.
SSgt. Dalmacio P. Pascua, Jr.
SFC Joseph Sarocam
PFC Gilbert B. Suetos
SSgt. Leonard M. Tadios

Korean Conflict
PFC Rufino Garalde
Sgt. Yeikichi B. Itokazu
PFC Kiyomitsu Kutsunai
PFC Donald S. Miyajima

Iraq War
LCpl Blake A. Magaoay
In memory of their classmate, the class of 1966 dedicated their yearbook to Cpl. Narciso Bertomen, Jr. with the poem written by Ronald Awa and Dexter Del Rosario.

From the class of sixty-two came forth a man of finest stature.
He, like others, took a stand and fought for all in the U.S.A.
But fate, strange fate, was to have a say,
And death came in its sudden way.

Now hearts cry out and mourn the loss
Of being in wars and the price they cost.
And “Dong” as he was known here on Lanai
Is among the many that had to die.
And now, though the physical being is done,
His memory and our love will linger on.

How nice it would be to have classmates, friends, veterans and members of the family, join us for this nostalgic and historical moment in time! The myriad of activities include: a salute to the armed forces, installation of the incoming LACA administration, awards presentation, great entertainment, savory dinner buffet, raffles, and much more.  Deadline to sign up is April 15. Come talk story and let’s rekindle Lana’i memories.

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.

LACA Hawaii Building

Home of the Lana’i Alumni and Community Association

See photos of LACA Hawaii Building

Robert Kinoshita, president and owner of Kula Sand, LLC, has generously designated the use of the LACA Hawaii Building to the Lanai Alumni and Community Association. In the spirit of ohana, Lanai High and Elementary school organizations, alumni, and Lanai community groups are welcome to use the facility.

Rosita Viduya Hueu will be in charge of coordinating and scheduling the use of the facility for alumni reunions, meetings, social events, LACA family reunions, Lana’i school and community groups.  She can be reached at (808) 455-7605 or through postal service:

Rosita V. Hueu, Coordinator
1846 Hoolaulea Street
Pearl City, HI 96782

The building, LACA Hawaii, located at 1064 Sand Island Parkway is on state government property and under the control of the Department of Land and Natural Resource.  The property is part of the Sand Island Industrial Park and the landlord is the Sand Island Business Association.  As a tenant,   Kula Sand, LLC, is responsible in ensuring that the property is utilized appropriately.

The following are several of the features of the LACA Hawaii Building:

  • 24’ x 35’ green and white modular building
  • excellent for large and small group meetings and social functions
  • accommodates 50-75 people.
  • air conditioned
  • carpeted
  • has a restroom and shower
  • 1 large conference room with table and chairs
  • 2 small conference rooms
  • 1 lounge equipped with television, sofa, coffee table, utility sink/counter, microwave, and refrigerator

Amenities include ample parking, an outdoor barbecue shed and a portable grill.  A stainless steel (laundry) tub with water faucet is readily available for the outdoor picnic/function.

LACA Hawaii (LACA HI) will be focusing on enhancing the three (out of eight) LACA membership purposes:

  1. To promote fellowship among the alumni and the (Lanai) community members.
  2. To keep in touch with former schoolmates and friends in the community.
  3. To promote and participate in civic, industrial, recreational, educational, social, and cultural activities of the (Lanai) community.

In lieu of a deposit for use of the facility, any voluntary monetary gift of aloha will be used to help defray part of the LACA Hawaii operational expenses with surplus funds disseminated to the Lanai Alumni and Community Association (LACA) and to the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation (PSHF).  Please make checks payable to Kula Sand, LLC with the foot note memo: for LACA HI.

Robert Kinoshita was presented with the 2005 Distinguished Member Award for his significant contributions through services and financial support to the Lanai Alumni and Community Association.   He is a Charter member and belongs to the Lanai Hale Club ($1000 or more).  He and his wife Mildredhave a son Dean and two daughters, Sandra and Carol.

LACA HAWAII
Calendar of Events

Board of Directors Meetings
2nd Wednesday in June, August, September, November, February, March, April

Annual Membership Meeting/Social
Usually held in May at a restaurant

August 26, 2006
LACA Hawaii Bazaar

1064 Sand Island Parkway

November 11, 2006
LACA Hawaii Holiday Craft Fair

Kapolei Middle School
91-5335 Kapolei Parkway

January 27, 2007
LACA Hawaii Photo Gallery:  Lana’i, We Remember!

Coordinator:  Sharen Hashimoto, class of 1969
Committee:  Charlotte Richardson Holsomback, Mary Ellen Richardson Nakoa, Nickie Morita Oshiro, Jacob Hueu, Rosita Viduya Hueu
Volunteers welcome.  On-going project in displaying vintage and current photos that chronicle decades of Lana’i and LACA events and milestones.

May 16, 2009
Class of 1956 will present to LACA photos and profiles of fifteen alumni war casualties which will be displayed in the LACA Hawaii Photo Gallery.  The Fallen Heroes tribute honors alumni who died in the Korean War, Vietnam, and Iraq.