ALUMNI CLASS NEWS
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By Gerry Vinta Johansen ’60, Alumni Relations
KS ’44 continues to have its monthly luncheons in honor of classmates celebrating birthdays. In December, the ladies met at Hanaki Restaurant in Mänoa. Celebrants were Pearl Souza Cummins, Vesta Parker Will and Portia Yim Rosehill. Hostess for the luncheon was Arline Akina. In January, the gals met at Stuart Anderson’s and the birthday celebrant was Lei Becker Furtado. Assagio’s Restaurant was the meeting place in February and the honored guest was Gyneve Andrews Wong. Leila Hohu Kiaha was April’s honored guest at a luncheon held at Buffett 100. The gals of ’44 sure know how to wine and dine themselves in their celebration of life. (Class representative is Pearl Souza Cummins. Phone: 247-1786).
1950 S
Leila Hohu Kiaha ’44
For the love of hula, Healani Sandra Choy Paaluhi ’51 keeps the art of dancing alive. Recently, Healani traveled to New York City where she performed with the kupuna group of Hälau Nä Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu. Kumu hula of the hälau is William “Sonny” Ching, son of M. Haunani Guerrero Ching ’60 and William “Billy” Ching ’61. Under the tutorship of several kumu hula, Healani has embraced her art with steadfast loyalty and reverence. She has performed with kumu hula Maiki
Vesta Parker Will ’44 and Gyneve Andrews Wong ’44
Aiu for the United Service Organization (USO) in Korea and Japan; spent a cultural visit in Russia’s Red Square; and won firstplace hula soloist awards at the Iä ‘Oe E Kalä Hula Competition in Hayward, Calif., and at the Paradise Cove-sponsored hula competition at Neal Blaisdell Center. For the love of hula, Healani, I MUA! KS ’52 classmates Bernice Lau Baker, Paulette Puaa Moore, Liane Stewart and Rodney Ferreira recently got together for “old-times” sake at a reception held for Kamehameha Schools trustees at the Kalama Dining Hall in January. KS ’59 gathered in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 16 for four days of celebrating their 60th birthdays
The Class of ’52 close-up and centered, from left, Bernice Lau Baker, Rodney Ferreira, Liane Stewart and Paulette Puaa Moore. Hula dancer Healani Sandra Choy Paaluhi embraces the moment with a lovely smile and a sparkle in her eye.
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with family and friends. Henry “Hank” Kaahea showed up for the celebration after being away from the class for 31 years. Other classmates who joined in the festivities were Stanley Medrano, Ralph Tam, Eugene Saffery, Hamilton McCubbin, Melanie Hardy Gibb, Georgiana Kuba Jaeger, and Iwalani Naipo Tsai, Dalbert Azevedo, Danielle “Lovey” Hanohano Bidondo, Robyn Ing Boehm, Kent Bowman, Herman Brandt, Rocky Cashman, Estelle Cullen Cashman, Roman Chai, Kenny Chang, Cynthia Ash Coleman, Earle Dye, Andrew Espinda, Victoria Amasiu Freitas, Winifred Chang Graham, Nancietta Lincoln Haalilio, Luana Hall Yamato, Gwendolyn Meyer Higgins, Richard Keawe, William “Billy” Kamakawiwoole, Elizabeth Ahana Kikuchi, Antoinette Gomes Lee, Henry Lee, William Kaoihana, Clara Mahoe Motta, Alexander Olsen, Clifford Wong, Lani Kahakua Wong, Richard Yamamoto, Faith Lum Sasaki, Sheila Awa Iseri, Leona Zalapony Riendeau, and Ornetta Keliihananui Kaaa. The class took in the Las Vegas City Lights Tour but the 60th Birthday Bash was the highlight of the trip. The theme was blue and white, from table pompom decorations to tablecloths and Happy Birthday banners. Each guest was greeted with a ti-leaf lei made by Eli Ahana Kikuchi and presented by children of classmates. Special treats were put together by Toni Gomes Lee: a koa key chain with “Happy 60th Class of 1959”; an American Cancer Society magnet in memory of Roy Cachola, who died of cancer on Jan. 1, 2001; and a fortune cookie with a birthday message inside. Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee ’89 signed autographs, posed for pictures and danced the hula. Hank Kaahea, Andy Espinda and Eugene Saffery showed that they “still have it” when they rendered a few tunes during the evening. CEO Hamilton