My 45th Punahou School Class of ’67 reunion was the most satisfying of high school reunions for me so far.
Besides the super organized planning committees and an experienced alumni office to help, I think the reason for my satisfaction or, shall I say, contentment, was where my classmates and I are in our lives chronologically. I felt as a group we were more relaxed, helpful, kind, caring, thoughtful, and more present than ever. At least from my perspective.
We had this past long weekend to renew relationships — from a kickoff celebration on Thursday on campus, to the evening party at the aquarium on Waikiki Beach, to Saturday’s alumni luau on Rice (a.k.a. Middle) Field , and the family picnic at Kalama Beach Club. The industrious and the illustrious were among us, but altogether we were simply cherished friends.
We shared bittersweet moments at the memorial service in Thurston Chapel for 37 members of our class who have passed, and at the impromptu remembrance of them the next day at the beach.
I think it’s important to stay connected in some way with our school to keep those very relationships alive. As one classmate—who attended just one year but came for the reunion—realized out loud, being able to attend Punahou School was a gift.
I say, let the music and the friendships continue.
The beautifully decorated stage where I performed with the Punahou Alumni Glee Club on Saturday night, before the reunion classes gathered under the big tent to enjoy a luau put on by the Class of 1988.
At each event we played music. Here at Kalama Beach Club are Dave, Pi‘ikea, Joe, Laurie, and Lei-Lynne.
At Kalama beach, we take flower blossoms to the sea in memory of our classmates who died.
My hula sisters Lani, Haunani, Sherry, and Barbara (from other class years) brush up on their hula before going on stage. We danced “He U‘i” and “Haole Hula.” Sherry was the chair for her 55th reunion this year.
Me and my guests Jimbo and his spouse Sharon. Jimbo’s class is ’67 of a different school. He asked DH to make this photo to confuse his classmates as a joke, saying, he went to a ’67 reunion but didn’t recognize anyone there. Punahou is the alma mater of one of Jimbo’s ancestors, however.
A dear friend, Gayle Darroch Hardin attended the reunion and wonderful things to tell about it as do you. It sounds like a special time was had by all.
That’s right! It was fun to visit classmates we hadn’t seen in more than 45 years, in Gayle’s case! What I remember from the 9th grade was that she was very kind. Gayle documented the reunion event with her photo skills. Hope she sends a good one. Thanks for visiting the Studio.