Class of 1960: Reunited 50 Years Later

By the ‘Iolani Class of 1960 Reunion Planning Committee


Of the 79 members of our graduating class (the actual total was 88, but 9 have passed away), 40 were able to accept the Headmaster’s invitation to be honored at ‘Iolani commencement five decades after our own.

Decked out in matching aloha shirts, our class was an impressive sight as young ladies in the Class of 2010 presented us with leis. As with our commencement, the graduation ceremony of modern ‘Iolani still displays respect and decorum and reflects the importance of the Episcopal Church in Hawaii. But there were a lot of changes too. We graduated only boys. The Class of 2010 is co-ed! Co-education changed the school for the better and the accomplishments of the class in both curricular and extra-curricular areas were nothing short of outstanding. Yet, the foundation laid by the classes that came before, including the proud members of the Class of 1960, were all acknowledged in one form or another that day. 

It was truly a day to remember for which planning began much earlier.

THE BEGINNING

First came meetings with Director of Alumni Relations Mike Moses ’93  and Development Director Chris Shimabukuro ’85 from the Institutional Advancement Office

Early on, the class decided the Sons of ‘Iolani would spearhead reunion planning. They included Mel Chow, Nelson Jones, Art Katahara, Willy Matsuura, Miles Nakama, and Paul Shigenaga. Mel and Paul served as Co-Chairs.

Other classmates who are Sons of ‘Iolani are Dennison Chun, George Kahikina, David Lau, Bruce Matsumoto (deceased), Scott Shirai, Albert Sing, Paul Tanaka, Stanley Uchima (deceased), John Yee and Philip Young.

A YEAR OF EVENTS

Throughout the year, numerous gatherings for our class took place: e.g. Dr. Bunny Watanabe’s evening socials at his dental office, Mel Chow’s annual Chinese New Year’s dinner for the class, weekly golf outings, and other social events, not mentioned for confidentiality, which served to urge participation at our reunion socials and contributing to our class gift.

Success was achieved beyond expectations.

Classmates attended at least one event at different times and places throughout the year. Many attended more. Paul Tanaka came to his first event since 1960 when he arrived at Bunny’s on May 7, 2010. There were a total of 24 classmates there.

A few weeks later, a golf outing on June 3 included 18 classmates. Even more gathered at our 19th Hole at a local watering place, including classmates from the mainland Bill Madden, Mike Tom, Bobby Yamato, and John Yee. All regaled in many stories of our ‘Iolani days, no one caring that they had heard the same stories dozens of times before. One of the most vivid was of an unfortunate teacher who, while proctoring study hall, locked himself in the locker room of the World War II hangar that doubled as our gym. A big mahalo to Dave Yoshioka, who chaired the golf tournament, with 18 duffers participating, and Harold Gusukuma, who chaired the 19th Hole gathering. Roy Kaneshiro prevailed as low net winner of the tournament.

A dinner banquet for the class and their spouses at Morton’s Steak House was held on June 6. A total of 67 classmates, spouses and significant others attended. The program, emceed by Ron Lim, started with words of welcome by Mel Chow followed by an Invocation by Erik Takai. Steve Kondo, chair of the gift committee, was thanked for his leadership in raising over $77,000 for the school. Steve, in turn, thanked each member who contributed to that total.

The after-dinner program started with Jim Kawashima’s synopsis of the school’s recent history such as the election of the Rev. David P. Coon as Headmaster and the significant changes he brought such as coeducation and the growth of the school’s endowment from $250,000 to $150 million.

Jim also described how current Headmaster Dr. Val Iwashita ’67 took ‘Iolani to even greater heights as it gained national recognition in a number of different disciplines. Dr. Iwashita himself brought recognition to the school and Hawaii by serving as a past President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Schools.

The evening ended with Willie Matsuura awarding prizes and from-the-heart closing comments by “Shag” Shigenaga.

THE AFTERMATH

The last day of scheduled events was June 7 beginning with a campus tour. Classmates visited the Weinberg Building, Kozuki Stadium and a parking structure for more than 400 cars. 

The tour led to St. Alban’s Chapel where, as students, we attended chapel service every day. As Rev. Daniel Leatherman’s greeted us with “Welcome Home,” fond memories were evoked. A service was held to honor our departed classmates. Jim Kawashima gave the First Reading from the Book of Joshua and Al Yamashiro read the names of our departed classmates: Clayton K. Chock, Lester D. Kaneko, Bruce T. Matsumoto, Russell M. Mokulehua, Michael M. Nakamura, Earl T. Takeuchi, Leslie M. Tokuza, Charles Y. Tomisato and Stanley I. Uchima. Headmaster Dr. Val Iwashita and wife Cynthia graciously attended the service.

The final event was a luncheon hosted by the Iwashitas, who made us feel at home, 50 years after graduating. We departed that day with bittersweet feelings, hoping that the reunion would continue, but basking in the remembrances that only a place such as ‘Iolani imparts.  The euphoria of the week together still lingers.

On behalf of Co-Chairs Chow and Shigenaga and the entire Class of 1960, our sincerest appreciation goes to ‘Iolani School and Headmaster Dr. Iwashita for allowing us to have our greatest reunion ever. Special thanks to Mike Moses and Chris Shimabukuro for making our jobs so much easier.

‘Iolani No Ka Oi.

1. 

   RONALD LIM on 10/26/2010 at 2:17pm

   WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, FUN CELEBRATION FOR THE CLASS OF 1960. CAN'T THANK SHAG, MEL, ETC. FOR ALL THE GREAT COORDINATION OF EVENTS. IT WAS A MOST MEMORABLE AND TRULY ONCE IN OUR LIFE TIME EVENT THAT WE WILL ALL REMEMBER AND CHERISH...THANKS, RON

2. 

   Jim Kawashima on 10/31/2010 at 1:46pm

   I add a rousing "AMEN" to Ron Lim's comments, and make one other observation: I have been a faithful attendee at every Commencement since 1981, save one when our son was graduating from college on the mainland, almost 30 year's worth, and it seems like the 50th-year class has been looking younger and younger each year, the Class of '60 being no exception. Mahalo to all who participated. A'hui hou. Jimmy.

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