It was May 29, 2009, when the Class of 2009 gathered in the gymnasium for Spring Honors Day. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and gratitude. Seniors walked proudly, knowing that this moment was more than just about receiving certificates—it was about celebrating years of effort, late nights, challenges, and triumphs. A few days later,…
Celebrating Excellence: Academic Awards & Honors
Every year at ‘Iolani, the dedication of our students shines through in the classroom, on stage, and across the community. Reading the long list of honorees, I couldn’t help but pause and reflect — each name carries a story of persistence, long nights, and the quiet pride of accomplishment. Top Academic Students in Each Grade…
Farewell and Mahalo to “Mr. O”: Celebrating Fred Okumura’s Legacy
At the end of June 2010, Fred Okumura ’65 closed a remarkable 39-year chapter at ‘Iolani School. Beginning as one of the two Upper School counselors, Fred’s dedication and vision soon led him to the role of Dean of the Lower School. Over the decades, his leadership shaped the experiences of countless students, teachers, and…
Around the World in Two Days: The 21st Annual ‘Iolani Fair
This past April 20 and 21, the 21st annual ‘Iolani Fair transported us across continents with the theme Global Getaway. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the smell of everything delicious. There were games for every age, rides that spun and swooped, craft tables, face painting, a general store, a silent auction, and…
One Team, Many Journeys: Remembering the Class of 2012
I can still see it clearly—the way the wind felt that day, soft, almost shy, as if even the trade winds wanted to pause and watch. Graduation has this strange magic about it: one moment you’re still a student, the next you’re already carrying the title of “alum.” I saw it happen with the Class…
When the Class of ’89 Hit Replay
Some reunions feel like stepping back in time; others feel like hitting fast-forward and discovering who everyone has become. The Class of ’89 reunion was the latter—a vibrant mix of nostalgia and new stories. The Golfers, the Storytellers, the Legends July 24 at Ewa Golf Club wasn’t just a round of golf—it was a reunion…
When the Class of ’88 Came Home Again
That night at Kochi on King Street, it was as if no time had passed at all—just the same familiar voices, the same easy laughter, waiting for us to return. Notes from a Pau Hana It all started back in August with a pau hana, A Touch of ‘Iolani, and a golf tournament at the…
Lost Alumni List: Remembering the Classes of 1920–2009
Walking through the halls of memory, it’s humbling to think of the generations of Iolani alumni whose stories shaped our school yet whose current whereabouts have become unknown. From the earliest classes of the 1920s to the graduates of the early 2000s, each name carries a legacy—of friendships, of classrooms, of moments that, once lived,…
Remembering Dr. Val Iwashita ’67: A Headmaster’s Lasting Impact
One vivid memory is walking across the ‘Iolani campus on a Friday afternoon, even at the end of a busy school week. The energy is palpable: students chatting in small groups on the grass, playing games, quietly reading homework, and waiting for rides home at the Kamoku Street gate. Scenes like this repeat daily, yet…
Christopher Chun ’92: Leading Hawaii High School Sports
One image that always comes to mind is that mural in Father Bray Athletic Complex—the one where young boys sprint across the wall, faces alight with joy and energy. Christopher Chun ’92 is one of them. Alongside his classmates, including Cavan Scanlan ’92, he ran as fast as they could for a photograph, never imagining…