Pictures provided through the courtesy of Naomi Lee (Kim), Fay Yamashita (Yoshida), Jade Young, Ken Chun, John Chong, Howard Yoshiura, Miles Nakashima, Sue Ann Cheong (Lau)

A Gathering of the Class of '63

Who Was There:  John and Carol Chong, Miles and Linda Nakashima, Ken Chun, Howard and Linda Yoshiura, Sandra Ching (Wong) and Nathan, Clay and Gayle Ching, Glenn and Marilyn Bauer, Fay Yamashita (Yoshida), Sandra Aoki (Ohara), Sue Ann Cheong (Lau), Dayton and Ann Auyong, Vernon and Lorri Kajikawa, Walter and Nora Fong, Carolyn Watanabe (Adler), Dennis and Diane Sugihara, Roberta Aisaka, Lambert Thom and Gina Lee, Barbara Centeio (Yamashita), Jinny Okano (Okubo), Linda Mae Onomoto, Bob and Vicki DeForest,  Dennis Saiki, Mel and Vivian Choy, Ricky AuHoy, Vince and Susan Lee, Ann Reid (Slaby), Cheryl Ho (Olsen) and Roy, Frank and Sue Lynn Yap, Miss Kunioka, Jade Young, Robin Len (Eng) and Henry, Joanne Sato (Fujii), Cathy Coulter (Braun), Ron Sakimura, Jan and Stan Naguwa, Naomi Lee (Kim) and Barry, Tahi Mottl (Reynolds), Diane Yanagisako (Fujikami).

What Happened:
It was a glorious night for our banquet in the beautiful setting of the Oahu Country Club in the lush green of Nuuanu Valley.  Many thanks to Vince and Susie Lee for sponsoring our class at the Oahu Country Club.  Fifty-seven classmates and spouses were seated at round tables of eight in a room that was just the right size to facilitate conversation and with a beautiful view.  A podium was set in the front where Vernon Kajikawa gave a masterful performance that far surpassed Billy Crystal at the Academy Awards.  John Chong built a portable “device” that held a replica of our class banner.

Fay Yamashita (Yoshida), Carolyn Watanabe (Adler), Sandra Aoki (Adler), Sue Ann Cheong (Lau) and Howie Yoshiura manned the reception table and provided name tags, tee-shirts, and collected monies for pictures and drinks.  Janice Mitsuzawa (Naguwa) and Stan presented everyone with a pint jar of Strawberry White Peach Jelly made with peaches from their trees at their home in Davis, CA.  Very ono!

Miss Kunioka was also present.  Due to illness, Linda Fox, Don’s spouse, was unable to attend.

We took a class picture in a surprisingly short time...probably because the photographer wasn’t a member of the class so we listened to his directions.  Contact the photographer @ http://www.kennethsphoto.com/main/ if you are interested in a copy of the class picture.  We cannot print that picture on this site due to copyright rules.

Fortified by different libations, Vernon attempted to give instructions for the class trivia game.  It was a lot of fun and really taxed our memory.  A sample of some of the questions were (answers in parentheses):  
  • What were our class colors?  (Baby blue, black, white)
  • What was the theme of our Senior Camp? (A Pause Before Parting)
  • What class had the most people at the reunion?  (18 - Room 208 - Mr. Haehnlen)

Photographs are courtesy of Howard Yoshiura, John Chong, Ken Chun, Jade Young, Miles Nakashima.

DA FOOD

Jade Young offered the blessing of the food.

Delicious buffet of:

Salads:
  • Mixed Green Salad and Romaine Salad
  • Dressing and Condiments
  • Pineapple Cole Slaw / Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad
  • Home Style Potato Salad
  • Assorted Vegetable Crudite and Dip
  • Assorted Fresh Seasonal Fruits
Entrees:
  • Grilled Chicken Breast with Mango Chutney
  • Sauteed Mahimahi with Lemon Butter Caper
  • Pulehu Beef Steaks with Teriyaki-Pineapple Glaze
Starches:
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Brown Rice
  • Housemade Corn Bread
Vegetable: Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
Desserts:
  • Apple Pie, Key Lime Pie
  • Chocolate Mousse Cake, Coconut Haupia Cake, Carrot Cake
  • Signature Bread Pudding with Vanilla Crème Anglaise

Miss Kunioka

Miles Nakashima had the privilege of introducing Miss Kunioka who was escorted to the podium by John Chong.  Miles started by telling the audience what Miss Kunioka said to him when he arrived (she knew his name without having to be told or reading his name tag):  “you put on a lot weight” and what she said as he passed her table after filling his plate at the buffet line:  “did you leave some food for the rest of us?”  He mentioned other memories of working in the cafeteria (serving food, washing out garbage cans outside and pots & pans inside, Spanish rice, chocolate sauce on vanilla pudding, and getting your lunch ticket punched) but most of all Miles thanked Miss Kunioka for the life lessons we learned working in the cafeteria and from her.

The fact that many classmates in their Who Dat? submissions have mentioned something about Miss Kunioka and working in the cafeteria are testimony that this may not have been part of the formal curriculum, but we all had a great learning experience from our time spent there.  

Barbara Centeio (Yamashita) had the recipe for Miss Kunioka’s Spanish Rice but her UICSM background didn’t enable her to make the conversions required for paring down the recipe from 400 to 4.  Robin Len (Eng) says she has recipes in “normal people” form for chocolate sauce and vanilla pudding.

Miss Kunioka answered questions from the audience.  Some highlights:
  • She started at UHS in 1945 and retired in 1983.
  • Loves to go to Las Vegas and play the poker machines because the machines don’t talk back and rush her (can’t imagine anyone talking back to her!)
  • Still sees her co-workers on occasion - Doris and Jean.

This is a copy of an email from Howie Yoshiura who drove Miss Kunioka to the reunion:

Mahalo to all. Miss Kunioka was beside herself and totally greatfull to the Class of '63. She said several times over how this was the best reunion celebration she has ever attended.

I suggested that her memory might be falling her, and this was the only one she remembers. Then she promptly recalled all our siblings that attended UHS...like Wata's brothers & sister, Joe Chong, etc. Her brain is still sharp.  From Howie

Also, Miss Kunioka gave us a card:

Dear Class of 1963,

Many thanks for remembering me after so many years.
It is over 30 years since I retired from (the) U.H.S. Cafeteria.
How time flies!
I am 91 years young!
I wish you all a happy 50th year reunion and many more to come.
Please take care and have many more reunions.

With much love,
Shizumi Kunioka

In the card, she enclosed $ 100.00.  (She gave us $ 50.00 at an Elk's Club reunion)
Howard and I both insisted she not donate but what could we do with only the two of us against the gentle giant.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:

Vernon recognized classmates in the audience who served in the military and thanked them for their service:  Dayton Auyong (Air Force); Clayton Ching (Navy); Stan Naguwa (Air Force); Miles Nakashima (Army).  He also recognized those who served and retired from the military reserve:  Ricky AuHoy (Army); Larry Lim (Army); Dennis Sugihara (Hawaii National Air Guard); Frank Yap (Army).  Recognition was also given to those who attended military schools:  Ken Chun, Virginia Military Institute; Stan Naguwa, Air Force Academy.

OFF-ISLAND CLASSMATES AT THE BANQUET:
Leis were presented to classmates from off-island.
"Stuff I Heard at the Reunion:
  • Jinny Okano (Okubo) and Barbara Centeio (Yamashita) will never ride in Keith Racuya’s van if it still has lawn chairs for a back seat.
  • Dayton Auyong was a class Honor Graduate because he didn’t participate in a strike in Ronald Kong’s class - he was the only one in the class who wrote his name on a pop quiz and  received an “A” while the others got an “F”
  • Ken Chun gave valentines to Cathy Coulter (Braun) in the 1st & 2nd grades and never received one from Cathy...he is still waiting.
  • Bob DeForest didn’t give Linda Mae Onomoto a kiss when he gave her a lei 50 years ago...so he gave her a peck on the cheek at the banquet.
  • Sandra Aoki (Ohara) never uses the Reverse gear on her car.
  • Fay Yamashita (Yoshida) is a Korean drama (not soap opera) devotee and has been to South Korea eleven times.
  • John Chong can build or fix anything.
  • Many of our classmates are caregivers...for their grandchildren or aging parents.
  • Ann Reid (Slaby) is not the only classmate born after 1945.

Da End

As a class, we are like family (‘ohana) as evidenced by many classmates in their Who Dat? submissions.  Dennis Saiki said it best at the banquet when he told us how he came to UHS - he joined us during the middle of our junior year.  Dennis said the school he came from (which shall remain nameless) was not friendly and made him feel so bad that he dreaded going to school.  Upon arrival at UHS, Dennis said he was embraced with open arms, made to feel welcome, and part of ‘ohana.  So much so, that he looked forward to coming to school every day!

Physically we have may changed a little...a few inches around the waist for many of us...but we haven’t changed from our days at UHS.  We still have the joy of life, spirit of adventure, and creativity we had in 1963.  The positive energy, the smiles on our faces, and the boisterous laughter at all the reunion events - luncheon, golf outing, obake tour on Halloween, bowling, Friday night informal, and the banquet - are proof that Sandee Ching (Wong) said “we are still 18 years old after 50 years!”

Classmates' Comments:

Before this night of the UHS Class ’63, 50th reunion ends, I wish to share this remembrance of our loquacious master of ceremonies and chief instigator, Vernon.  Before and after the buffet meal, he said a lot – including recognizing a number of classmates instrumental in the planning and execution of this week's reunion activities.  However, no one gave him the recognition he deserves.  
 
So before this evening ends, I wish to share this recognition of him with all who attended the class banquet, and those who may have wanted to, but could not.  
 
As you may know, Vernon served 32 years with the Department of the Army  - first as an commissioned officer, then as a civilian in the DA’s Human Resources Command.  He served at Camp Zama, Japan, among other exotic places.   After he completed his mission by reorganizing the local personnel office, he retired from Federal Service.  But not for long.  
 
After a short restless period, his talents were recognized, and he was hired by the largest Federal Credit Union in the Hawaii, as a personnel trainer.  (Yes, personnel – not personal).  His training talents can be characterized as legendary.  What briefly follows is based upon personal knowledge, since my office was in a building located just across an alley from the Credit Union, within hearing distance of its gurgling toilets.  
 
Those who have been to Japan, may have experienced store employees at department stores and in other retail establishments, lining up in the morning at the store’s entrance to greet customers as the store opened.  When Vernon became a trainer, I understand the Credit Union's employees would likewise line up at the beginning of the work day.  
And the greeting that could be heard was – “Good Morning, Mr. Kajikawa”.  “Good Morning, Sir”.  Sometimes with applause.  
 
Great job, Vern!  May you continue as MC at the next reunion!  And the next!
Regards,
Frank


Thank you to each of you on the UHS Reunion Committee.  Your hard work and contributions are very much appreciated.  The Reunion Banquet last night at the Oahu Country Club was a wonderful experience.  Thank you.  Your Classmate Ron Sakimura

It couldn’t have been said any better!
We will not only remember this special reunion, we will remember how it made all of us feel.
Keep well my friends!  Jinny Okubo

Ditto with the kudos.  Vernon is one person I know who is always so cheerful and loquacious - even under pressure (i.e. tax time for his cousin).
Many mahalos to Vernon, and all those who were instrumental in organizing and carrying out our reunion activities.  It was a fantastic, memorable 50th.  Linda Mae

Thanks to Miles and JC, I really feel I have been there, and it's been  wonderful.  Like you say - bring on the next Reunion!  Lynne

Thank you all for a wonderful evening of renewing friendship and fond memories.  My wife Susie was impress with many of you and remarked how much fun and close our class has been.  She enjoyed meeting many of you and prior to last night she only met Sandra & Vern.  
Mahalo for a great evening.  Vince

Vince:  thank you very much for hosting our banquet.  all commented that OCC is a perfect setting … good food and the weather truly cooperated.  I feel that OCC really contributed to the success of our banquet … along with the great helping hands.  Please extend our mahalo to Susie too!  I'm glad that she enjoyed herself!   Vern

Thanks to Vern & the Reunion Committee for making this wonderful week possible.  This Committee was  GRACIOUS & WELCOMING to all attendees; it paid tribute to those who have gone before us with Miles's Remembrance DVD video and Jade's prayer at our luncheon.  Sandee Ching observed that we are the same "18" year olds after 50 years and that was verified at our beautiful Oahu Country Club Banquet that could have been our happy, celebratory 1963 graduation day party.  Dennis Saiki explained that this was possible because we were family in our Class of 63.  Mahalo to all who provided me a very special week of  camaraderie and friendship that I will always remember.  Aloha, Dayton (Ronald Kong's pet).