Tag Archives: 2017-11

The Old Gym

By Tony Magaoay, Class of ‘56

I cherish all my homebound trips to Lana’i. I always stop by the Old Gym at least once – standing at the main entrance, scanning the stage, the basketball court, the scoreboard balcony, and the bleachers. It always spurs memories of the many activities that occurred in this historic gymnasium – homecoming, weddings, concerts, graduations, magic shows, May Day programs, proms, bingos, carnivals, hula shows. One particular event stands out in my mind. It happened more than a half century ago: Lana’i High School vs. Punahou High School basketball game in December 1955. This was an honor to play against an opponent like Punahou, an Oahu private school with many state championships in many sports, as well as producing a lot of famous athletes, business folks, and even world leaders.

Punahou was loaded with experienced 6-foot tall players and ranked in the top of the Honolulu schools basketball league. Lana’i had only one tall player, and he was listed at 5’11”. Lana’i High was part of the Maui County League, and was known for our speed and our rebounds despite our lack of height. The game was predicted to be a blowout with Punahou prevailing. Many of the community folks viewed the game as a social event to kick off the holidays rather than an athletic competition.

But Coach Donald Matsui thought otherwise. Mr. Matsui was in his second year as the Lana’i Athletic Director and basketball head coach. He went to hold on to those positions for the next 30+ years. He was also our Class of ’56 advisor, and a special and important mentor in my life. Coach Matsui got the team together before we started our lay-up drills and pepped up the team with this challenge: “Beat Punahou and I’ll treat you guys to banana split at Tanigawas!” Well, at 35 cents each, a banana split was a luxurious treat for many of us players. Coach Matsui knew how to motivate us.

This ho-hum game turned out to be a thriller from start to finish. In front of a standing room home crowd, the Lana’i five starters – four seniors and one junior – were hot that night. We scored from anywhere on the court and played as a team on fire. Punahou didn’t know who to guard closely because everyone was scoring. Being a fast team, we outran the defenders, scoring on fast breaks and drives to the hole. When Punahou adjusted their defense by putting the tall defenders under the basket, we jump shot from above the keyhole with unbelievable accuracy. We made corner and downtown shots from beyond the modern-day three point arc. The starters scored 59 points and one substitute player added three points.

The lead went back and forth with no more than a five point difference.  With less than a minute to play and behind three points, Punahou had the last possession and still had a chance to win.  They could make a basket, and steal the inbound pass or commit a foul to get a second chance.  I can still picture the timekeeper sitting on the 15-foot high loft, holding a stop watch and manually moving the large clock’s minute hand. hand/Punahou shot and missed!  Lana’i rebounded. The timekeeper moved the minute hand to zero and pressed the buzzer.

END OF GAME. Lana’i 62  PUNAHOU 59

Incredibly, we had beaten Punahou! The crowd cheered.  The Old Gym shook as the crowd cheered louder.

A few days later, Coach Matsui escorted 13 Pine Lad basketball players to Tanigawa’s.  He happily treated us to our banana splits.  As we ate our precious treat, we dissected the game play-by-play like a bunch of ESPN analysts.  We were euphoric over our victory.  Total bill for our treat was $4.90.  We were so grateful for our coach’s generosity!

In retrospect, we were a bunch of scrawny teenage boys.  Boys who grew up in a pineapple plantation camp.  Boys whose fathers missed a lot of our games because they were working in the fields…or gambling at the chicken fights.  We were boys nicknamed “gym rats” because we spent too much time at the Old Gym.  The Old Gym was everything we wanted – comradeship, freedom, and life lessons.  And those life lessons served well when we left our beloved island to go to college, to fight in WWII – Korea or Viet Nam, and to become husbands and fathers.  The Old Gym is a cherished symbol of my basketball days and that long ago time.

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!

IN MEMORIAM

LACA Members 
Who Have Passed on 2017

Sally Montecillo
Ernie Barroga, Sr.
Sally Herologa
Gustancia Connie Amoncio Roach
Magdalena Ballesteros Talon
Patrick Viela
Takeo Yamato
Josephine Suetos Haupu
Elizabeth Jean Piena
Mitsuko Kurashige Matsuda
Domingo Alboro, Sr.
Ted Arsenio Perez
Adeline Viduya Uyeda
William D. Wilkinson

Recognizing Generosity

LACA received generous monetary donations from the following this past year.  It is very much appreciated.  LACA judiciously uses these monies for scholarship and/or LACA’s operational needs.

Jacob and Rosita Hueu  
William Olsen  
Marcellino Sugitan  
Frank Soriano, Jr.  
Maisie Nagaishi  in memory of classmate Flora Bibilone, class of ‘51
George T. Higa  
Mr and Mrs Shigeto Minami  
Helen E. Vaughn in memory of brother
Takeo Yamato, class of ’50 and classmate, Jean Piena, class of “53  
Warren Osako  
Ricky Tamashiro  
Creighton Nobui  
Jill Wilkinson in memory of husband William Wilkinson
LHES, Class of ‘58