Category Archives: Lana`i News

Cheers for Molokai and Lanai High School

On January 29, 2014 a fundraiser was held to supplement the athletic transportation budgets for Molokai and Lanai High Schools. The street party was fully hosted with heavy pupu and cocktails by Murphy’s Bar and Grill and Hukilau throughout the evening from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Attendees helped themselves to savory island delicacies, beverages and also enjoyed lively top-notch entertainment.

Rallying to the call from the Downtown Athletic Club Hawaii was former LHS Alumni Les Tamashiro, Jacob Hueu and Ricky Tamashiro, pictured with Governor Neil Abercrombie.

Old Bowling Alley Building

By Myrtle Dalde Reponte

In the September 2013 edition, Lanai Today monthly news posted requests for feedback on what to do with the old bowling alley building in Dole Park on Lanai. I don’t believe that any plans have been firmed up yet, so it’s not too late to express your opinion.

I personally want to see the building remain in its present location, renovated and refurbished as close as possible to the bowling alley, pool hall, and snack bar during Dalde’s Enterprises operation. Also to consider additional lanes and automated pin-setting, of course. An added wing could even include a community center as it is used today displaying pictures of the plantation rolling fields of golden pineapples which we were all so proud of.

Not because I’m a Dalde girl, but more importantly, because the bowling alley was Lanai’s only source of daily recreation and gathering place to play, have a snack, meeting & greeting the seasonals, and just talk story. It was during plantation days when Lanai was as beautiful as it will ever be. It is so nostalgic of our good ol’ Lanai days during our era of golden pines.

Today’s population on Lanai consists of newcomers and the younger generation who never experienced any of this. They, no doubt, out-number the citizens of our era who still live there. Therefore, if we don’t offer our feedback and attempt to preserve memories, the old days nostalgic scene may be gone forever. LACA members would agree, I’m sure, as we realize the younger set is not jumping into LACA activities with enthusiasm to continue leadership for continuity of its purpose and objective.

Granted, Mr. Ellison is doing great things for Lanai and its residents and he is making changes quickly for the betterment of the island and tourism.  He is open to Lanaians’ comments and opinions during this major overhaul.  This is where we have a voice, so let’s help him close the generational gap by maintaining Lanai’s only history before it drifts away with what was once, The World’s Premier Pineapple Plantation.

I encourage LACA members to email their opinions to Lynn McCrory: lmccrory@pulamalanai.com. Please include specific suggestions of what they would like to see happen with the old bowling alley building. This is our prime opportunity to be heard so let’s speak up today.

Aloha and Mahalo!


The Lana’i Alumni & Community Association (LACA) reserves the right to edit all content submitted for publication to the Lana’i Connection website or hardcopy newsletter.  LACA is not responsible for and does not specifically endorse opinions stated on linked websites.  As a courtesy, we would appreciate that organizations requesting a link on our website reciprocate with a link back to the Lana’i Connection at 
https://www.lanaiconnection.com/blog.

Opinions stated in articles published on the Lana’i Connection website or the hardcopy newsletter are not necessarily those held by LACA, its board members, or general membership.

Unearth of Time Capsule

004 - Time capsule picBy Jaime Dugay

The chairman of the 75th Anniversary was Juan Degamo and it was a huge success. None of our Class of 52 turned out. It seems like they’re saving their money for Vegas LACA in October.

The opening of the 25 year capsule was well attended. The contents were displayed in the school cafeteria. There was a good turnout for the parade, where possibly 22 classes participated. Lots of people turned out to watch the parade which was delayed for the tail end to pass. Lots of food, music and dancing were had at the pot luck in the bowling alley. At the Pineapple Festival held from 3 to 9 on Saturday, there was a good turnout. A fireworks display concluded the event. Gatherings for class reunions and families continued at Manele on Sunday.

Lana’i Pa’u Unit

Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade

Lana’i Pa’u Unit

Riding in the Front of the Pa’u Units as Pa’u Marshall of the Lahaina, Kamehameha Day Parade, held June 16th, 2012, is Henry Aki “Ah Ying” to those who know him well, flanked by his lifetime girlfriend, Lani Scott, left, and Makenzie Aki, great-granddaughter on the right. (see photo on the right)

He was followed by 2nd daughter, Mei Lani Aki, representing Lana’i as Princess; and followed by her daughter, Ayla Mei Jing Aki, as attendant, and outrider, Jordan D. Kamalani Aki, grandson, adopted by Henry.

The event celebrated having the Lana’i Unit represented by Lanaians this year. Honored one of the last true Lana’i Paniolos, whose made his own Hawaiian Saddles, made Ilima leis through 5 generations, and feather hat leis, trained many quality Arabian-Paleminos alongside the animal culture of field trial dogs & horses. Handed down from many eloquent and revered Lanaians such as Ernest and Johnny Richardson, Lloyd Cockett, Mona Viela, Johnny Maile, and Richard Morita, Sr.

Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center

Aloha Dear Lana’i ‘Ohana,

This message is important for all who love the rich cultural legacy that comes with being from and tied to Lana’i. The people of Lana’i have a special bond with the ‘aina and with one another, it draws people together.

Since opening its doors, the Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center has strived to ensure that your history and the legacy of your elders will not be erased or forgotten. (See tab on homepage titled “Visitor Comments” to see what people are saying about Lana’i CHC.)

I am happy to write that many exciting things are happening with the little heritage center. Among them is a special “Aloha Lana’i” benefit event to be held on O’ahu on March 25th, 2012 at Mamiya Theater (Saint Louis Campus, O’ahu). The information on the website provides readers with details on programs that have been funded through the generosity of OHA Grants, private foundations, island residents and visitors since we opened in October 2007. I invite you to take a little time to view the links below which highlight information about a new fundraising drive and the background history of the program accomplishments over the last 4 years. We are also embarking upon an endowment drive to ensure that the heritage collections which Lana’i ‘ohana have donated to the museum/center will always be safe and available. In these challenging economic times, Lana’i CHC need your help in building economic capacity to continue the work of documenting and sharing Lana’i’s history.

We hope that you will plan to attend the March 25th Aloha Lana’i event, and that you will share this information with everyone who you think would be interested. For generations the rich cultural heritage of Lana’i has been sort of out of sight and out of mind. And because of its unique situation, it remains a little known treasure of Hawai’i. The Lana’i CHC is working to document our island history and pass the legacy on to future generations. This can only be done
with the help and guidance of many hands.

To start, visit — www.lanaichc.org the home page sharing Aloha Lanai information with pdf flyer and other links. Then click: Program Schedule and Events http://www.lanaichc.org/lanai-chc-fundraiserprogram-2012/Aloha-Lanai-Program.html; and then,

Why Support the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center Fundraising Efforts? http://www.lanaichc.org/lanai-chc-fundraiserprogram-2012/lanai_fundraising_effort.html

Various links are noted on the pages for musicians (to their web-sites), Mamiya Theater and Four Seasons, etc.

We will add more information as it becomes available. Updates will be done as needed to website, Facebook, Twitter and by email and media also.

There are lots of exciting things happening and the site is filled with historical references to your families and island history. Mahalo a nui for
your time and consideration. I have been in contact with Donna and we hope to get the word out to all LACA members soon. If you have some additional ideas on how to get the word out, please let us know.

Me ke aloha a nui,
Kepa (and Onaona)

The Dalde’s on Lanai

By Irene Tippon-Seawright

Pictured with Anastacio and Trinidad (Caluya) Dalde are their children: Joice, "Sonny", Myrtle, Benjamin and Irene

Anastacio Dalde, a handsome and suave Visayan man, organized a “one-of-a-kind” Lana’i women’s string orchestra in the 1930’s. The bass player was an attractive Ilocana girl by the name of Trinidad Caluya.  A romance blossomed and soon they were married at the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church on Lanai in October 1939.

As far as I can remember, our parents better known as “Tacio and Trining,” were business-minded.  I vividly remember a picture of our dad in the front yard of our home at Caldwell Avenue.  He posed as a salesman, smartly dressed in a custom-fitted suit with a hat and a brief case. Dad sold tailor-made men’s suits and hats. I also remember our mother’s stories of when she was a youngster, helping the family’s income by selling goodies made by our grandmother Caluya. Thus it groomed her to become a sales person selling women’s dresses, hats and Avon® in our family owned barbershop in the 1950’s to early 1960’s.

In the 1920’s, the main employment on Lanai was working for Dole Pineapple Company who cultivated pineapples and made Lana’i known as the World’s Largest Pineapple Plantation.  Dad was not only a field hand; he was a luna or supervisor. To me, our dad was gifted and special because he was bilingual. He not only spoke English.  He spoke three dialects of the Filipino language–Visayan, Ilocano, and Tagalog. His multi-linguistic ability was a valuable asset to the company because most of the Filipino employees spoke either Ilocano or Visayan and it was necessary for the luna to be able to communicate in English on an administrative level and speak the language of those who worked in the fields.

While raising five children (Irene, Myrtle, Benjamin, Anastacio Jr. “Sonny”, and Joice “Darlene”), Dad and Mom were actively involved in many community activities including the Cub Scouts of America, Men’s Baseball League, Little League and many Catholic Church activities. Dad was also a member of the Lion’s Club and our parents were members of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1958, a rare opportunity was offered when the Dole Pineapple Company decided to lease its multi-entertainment entity to a private businessman. That was the beginning of Dalde’s Enterprise. This was our father’s ultimate dream… to be a true entrepreneur.

Dalde’s Enterprise consisted of Lanai’s bowling alley, a billiard parlor, a snack bar and the movie theatre.  Our mom’s sister, Lurita Viduya, Sr. aka Loretta, worked as a cashier at the theatre in the evenings, mom’s brother, Benny Caluya, was the projectionist at the theatre, while his wife Carmen was the usherette.  Mom’s younger sister, Flora (Garalde) Narito worked in the snack bar at the bowling alley with our mother. It turned out to be a very successful family  venture.

In the 1960’s,  mom and dad retired from operating the various  businesses and  moved to California.  They spent their retirement years traveling and enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren on the mainland. Dad, an avid LA Dodger fan, attended many games at the Dodger’s Stadium and witnessed the Dodgers play and win the 1981 World Series. Some of the highlights of their travels were to the Philippines, to the l986 World’s Fair (Expo ’86) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, camping throughout the Western states and numerous visits to Santa Anita Track and to Las Vegas, Nevada. They celebrated 50 years of marriage bliss until dad died in late 1989 and subsequently, mom died in 1996.  Today, their survivors of  five children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren, strive to perpetuate and carry on the legacy of our beloved Tacio and Trining Dalde.

“Lanai Folks”
 – Commemorating The Land and People of Lana’i

by Kepa Maly, Executive Director, Lana’i Culture and Heritage Center

This important photographic book, documenting a significant span of the “Pineapple” Islands’ plantation history, has been republished. Copies are now available for sale at $20.00 per book at the Lana’i CHC. “Lanai Folks,” originally published in 1982, was photographed and written by Robin Kaye, with supporting grants from the Hawaii Bicentennial Commission, the State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, the Hawaiian Historical Society, private Foundations and other organizations. The work has become a classic – a reminder of what has made Lana’i a unique place, worth caring for. Out of print for nearly 25 years, this publication of the Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center, has been made possible through a grant by the Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The author is donating all proceeds to the Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center, to support the center’s programs and promote awareness about the rich history of Lana’i. Visit the Lana’i CHC.org or email info [at] lanaichc.org. For more information, people may call the Lana’i CHC at (808) 565-7177.