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Fall 2009

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Fall 2009 - Other News | Alumni

Class of 1959 Enjoys Milestone 50th Year Reunion

By Jim Yamashita ’59


The Class of ’59 celebrated 50 years at Oahu Country Club. Photo taken by Calvin Lee.
The Class of 1959 celebrated its 50th Year Reunion during the weekend of June 5 to 8 with a bevy of events, including the June 6 ‘Iolani graduation ceremony for the Class of 2009 at which 33 classmates and their souses were special guests.

The reunion committee was comprised of Chair Mike Sen, Dick Chang, Bill Wong, Danny Hee, Ken Wong, Roy Adaniya, Dennis Ing, Calvin Lee, Larry Young, Bob Asanoma, Henry Chun, Earl Lau, Ed Lum, Glenn Young, and Jim Yamashita. Tremendous job, guys! The classmates and spouses who attended the reunion were: Mike and Freida Sen, Dick and Dee Chang, Bill and Amy Wong, Danny and Val Hee, Ken and Jean Wong, Roy and Lavern Adaniya, Dennis and Charlys Ing, Calvin and Linda Lee, Larry and Arleen Young, Henry and Sophia Chun, Earl and Maylene Lau, Glenn and Annette Young, Royce and Jane Fukunaga, Gordon and Risa Lau, Oren and Jo-Ann Leong, Tennyson and Pat Lum, Stephen and Leanda Motokawa, Justice and Leora Okumura, Wayne and Jean Otake, Rags Scanlan and Anna Choo, Herm and Cynny Tanaka, Dex Takesue and Sowha Pit, Jim and Judy Toguchi, Ed Lum, Ed Funasaki, Hiram Kitawa, Irwin Wada, Eugene and Elaine Young, and Jim and Joan Yamashita. A special aloha to the out-of-town classmates and spouses who attended the reunion. They were Bob and Joanne Asanoma of Liverpool, New York; Gerry and Gladys Hoshijo of Seattle, Washington; Wade and Bobbi Ishimoto of Alexandria, Virginia; and Gene and Eunice Siu of Escondido, California.

The following are excerpts from comments submitted by classmates:

Wade Ishimoto of Alexandria, Virgnia

The Class of 2009 had 237 graduates with 28 Valedictorians and 10 National Merit Scholarship Finalists. In contrast, the Class of 1959 had 88 graduates, one Valedictorian and one National Merit Scholar. Earl Lau was the first National Merit Scholar from ‘Iolani School. What a great looking Class of 2009. It typified what I thought ‘Iolani was all about. That made me very happy as my ‘Iolani idols growing up were those that Father Bray had given a chance to get a better education. The school represents the kind of diversity that typifies Hawai‘i! And wow. All the ones that spoke didn’t have a pidgin accent. Auwe, I am lost and a dinosaur. An amazing 41 percent of the class served in the military; We were the first class to spend first through twelfth grades at the Kamoku Street campus; Unlike ‘Iolani’s basketball teams of today, ours went winless, but one of the players on our team was Glenn Young ’59 who is the founder of the ‘Iolani Basketball Classic.
   

Dennis Ing of Honolulu

The true test of the reunion’s success may be what your wife thinks of it. Well, my wife Charlys had a wonderful time. She was impressed by the diversity and warmth of our class, by the closeness and conviviality we all exhibited toward each other, and by the coordination and pace of each function thoughout the weekend.

Calvin Lee of Honolulu

The Class of ’59 has class. My wife Linda was impressed by how well we all got along.

Bill Wong of Honolulu

It was great fun for those that attended. For those that could not attend, we could feel your spirit there.

Danny Hee of Honolulu

Thanks to all who helped make this an unforgettable reunion.


Tennyson ’59 and Pat Lum, Jo-Ann and Oren Leong ’59, and Danny ’59 and Val Hee at Oahu Country Club.

Mike Sen of Honolulu

Thanks for making our reunion the best ever. I think everyone who attended had a good time. It was good to see classmates we haven’t seen since high school. Mahalo nui to all of you who took great photos and shared them with us. Every picture showed classmates genuinely having a good time and really enjoying seeing each other again. It was nice to hear appreciative comments from classmates who were unable to attend.

Eugene Siu of Escondido, California

Lots of thanks go to lots of classmates and wives for a memorable reunion. The reunion committee did one hell of a job planning the events, but the proof of the pudding was the warmth and “talk story” fun shared by all throughout the four days. Thank you to Mike and Freida, especially for sharing their country club with us all, and Danny and Val for opening his home to all of us for a great luau.

Bob Asanoma of Liverpool, New York

To all the Class of 1959 that were able to attend and hoping the next time more will be able to attend: Mahalo! It was great! To the organizers: Mahalo!!!!