1959 Class News
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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest home: All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto His Praise to yield; Even so, Lord, quickly come to Thy final harvest home; And Thanks Be To God Thanks be to God for roses rare, On November 23, 1958 these Hymns were sung at our bishop Memorial Church Thanksgiving Service that was called to worship by Rev. John F. Mullholland . Estelle Cullen Cashman presented the First Lesson, Psalm 136: 1-9 and Alexander Cashman presented the Second Lesson from I Thessalonians 5:12-23. The Sermon was of course on Our Thanksgiving and Nadine Chang Hall spoke on Thanksgiving Past, Wayne Foster spoke on Thanksgiving Present and Miss Patricia Dickey spoke on the meaning of Thanksgiving and Dr. Marion Hanlon spoke on Spiritual Thanksgiving. There are some of us that are 67 years old already, some of us that have just turned 66 and a few that are still 65 looking forward to a Hauoli La Hanau next month. I’m sure the subjects that Nadine and Wayne spoke of our Junior Year they would have so much more to reflect on this Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be Thankful for, first of all just being alive for starters. We are thankful for our families, our friends, our wonderful Alma Mater, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop for the tremendous foresight she had to start a School for Girls and a School for Boys. We are thankful for all that we have accomplished in our life time and all of the relationships that we have developed. We are thankful for the wonderful “Industrious Men and Women” that we have all become. I know that the Princess is smiling down on all of us and I believe that she is thankful for whom we have become. This year we have been fortunate enough to get together on a couple of occasions since our Class me in Las Vegas in February. On July 15, 2007 our Classmate Herbert Dunn came home and we got together at Clara and Ray Motta’s home in Kailua. We had a good turn out and enjoyed the company of Winona Ebinger Anzalone, Alma Dutro Laumatia, Kenny and Ronnie Chang, Henry Lee, John Keala and his granddaughter, Gwen Meyer Higgins, Ann Kawai (Beldon Kawai’s wife), James Saffery, Charles Kapua and myself. After this gathering Herbie decided to relocate here. Thanks to our classmate Kenny Chang, Herbie was able to be hired immediately and has settled back here in Hawai`i without skipping a beat. On November 5, 2007, classmates got together in celebration of our Classmate Edward Kahakuhananui Onekea’s life. Eddie, a retired electrician of the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard passed away on October 12, 2007. Eddie is survived by his wife Ruth, his Mom Ella, 3 sons, 3 daughters, 10 grand children and 1 great grand child, his brother Milton and his sister Alexis. Our Classmates sang O Makalapua and our School Song led by James “Bunker” Kahue who also shared reflections of growing up with Eddie. Classmates in attendance were: Kenny Chang, Friedalane Crowell Menezes, Jill Awai and Clifford Kaneaiakala, Henry Chang Wo, Harold Johnston, Herman “Sonny” Brandt and his wife Pat, Billy Kamakawiwoole, Roman Chai, Richard Keawe, Henry Lee, James Saffery, William Kaoihana, myself and Charles Kapua. Most of us stayed for lunch and was able to enjoy each other’s company. Eddie’s family was very happy that we were there. We have now lost 23 men and 5 women in our Class. We all have fond memories of these classmates who are now angels. Since my last newsletter we have not only said Aloha to Eddie Onekea, some of us have said Aloha to family members. Some of them are my brother Gerald Mahealani Gomes, Class of 1961; Eugene Saffery’s daughter Lorraine, David Cooper’s brother, Robert Cooper, Class of 1956 and our Travel Coordinator, Eli Ahana Kikuchi’s mother Aunty Mary Ewaliko Ahana just passed away. They have all gone beyond the vale to sleep form season to season. We shall always have fond memories of those that we have lost. “Memories are the intangible images that have the power to warm our hearts and return us to a time with those we love and cherish. Memories can be simple thinks, like the scent of pikake or a special song that reminds us about a memorable time in our life, a special place, or a beloved relative. Often when we remember a loved one who has passed on, it is through the plaintive melody of a song or a treasured bible verse that creates the feeling of longing and desire for the time when they were with us. All of these cherished memories or hali`a aloha are ways in which we continue to keep the person’s spirit alive”. (Taken from the He hali`a Aloha brochure from Kamehameha Ke Ali`i Foundation) Ho`omaika`i! Congratulations to: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Girl’s Varsity Volleyball Team for Winning the States Championship in Hilo. This year I was not able to attend the Class Representative Meeting at Kamehameha in October so I asked Clara Mahoe and Ray Motta and Herbert Dunn to represent the Class of 1959. At this meeting it was announced that the Alumni Association is planning a reunion in Las Vegas next year, October 30, 2008 through November 2, 2008 for all Classes. We will all have to make our own air and hotel reservations. They have not picked a site for the reunion yet. So mark your calendars, this should be a fun Alumni Gathering to attend. About our high school…..High School statistics: (Just thought you’d be interested) 21,000+ Graduates since its founding in 1887 Our trip to Las Vegas in February was a blast! Again we out did ourselves. There were 100 classmates, `Ohana and guests at our Banquet. We honored first timers in attending our Las Vegas Reunion who were Harriet Mokuau Smith and her husband and Hans Apisaloma and his Son Hans, Jr. Those who have attended in the past but hadn’t attended for a long time were Aprillynn Pahukula Navarro, Melanie Hardy Guibb, Annet Keli`inoi Macias, Robyn Ing Boehm, Benedict Stillman and Billy Hutchinson. Those “Regulars” that attended were: Vicky Amasiu and husband Randall Freitas, Iwalani Naipo and husband Sonny Tsai, Clara Mahoe and husband Ray Motta, Edyne Foo Sum and husband Joe Ah Sau, Cynthia Ash Coleman, Gwen Meyer Higgins and her two daughters, Eli Ahana Kikuchi, Lani Kahakua and her husband Clifford Wong, Faith Lum and husband Ron Sasaki, Ornetta Keli`ihananui Ka`a`a, and Toni Gomes Lee and Charles Kapua. For the Men of the Class of 1959: Kent and Brenda Bowman, Henry Lee, Ralph Tam, James Saffery, Billy Kamakawiwoole, Billy Kaoihana, Alex Olson, Kenny and Ronnie Chang, Harrub Houssein, Eugene and Corine Saffery, Ralph Hind, Jack and Gwen Dye, Mathan & Hiltrud Mersberg, Billy and Loretta Wong, Herman and Pat Brandt and their daughter Debbie, Eli Pane`e and Ben Harbottle. Many of our classmates brought their children, brothers and sisters and their `Ohana. Every year we also encourage those spouses of classmates to also attend. We were very happy to welcome back, Ann Kawai, Beldon’s wife. In February 2008, as we gather in Las Vegas we will be welcoming a few first timers. Attached you will find a flyer to fill out if you would like to attend. Our trip this coming year is February 21 2008 through February 26, 2008. Please join us, you will never regret the wonderful experience. We have a hospitality suite where we always gather. Many that don’t like to gamble hang out there where we have lots of fun singing, talking story and reacquainting ourselves with each other. This year Kamehameha selected a new Trustee. His name is Corbett Kalama. We were honored to have his sister Charlani Kalama attend our Reunion as a guest of Herman Brandt’s daughter Debbie. Charlani Kalama addressed our Class and joined us in Kanikapila. We all really enjoyed her and have invited her to be an Honorary Member of the Class of 1959 `Ohana. Enclosed please find our Kamehameha class of `59 Class Reunion in Las Vegas Flyer. Our deadline to sign up is December 15, 2007. There are still seats available on the Vacations Hawai`i Flight. Call Eli NOW! Eli can also make room only reservations. Don’t hesitate, we guarantee you a great time and long lasting memories of your positive experiences that you will encounter with your classmates. Sign up today! Well Classmates, Hauoli La Hanau to those of you who have Birthday’s coming up. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families and Mele Kalikimaka a me Hauoli Makahiki Hou to you and yours. E Holomua Kakou I Mua…To Journey Forward Together as our voyage continues. I look forward to seeing many of you in Las Vegas in February. Thanks Be To God! Pumehana no,
Toni Lee
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