Class of ’67 proud

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.

Copyright 2012 Rebekah Luke

Alumni reunion week 2012

I went to hula practice yesterday afternoon at Lani’s where 14 women from the Punahou Alumni Glee Club showed up! We’re practicing for the Punahou Alumni Luau on Saturday. Dancing with a view of the kitchen, I see Lani breaking out the wine and the pupus. So gracious of her. No, every practice doesn’t end that way! But I could see why Lani was in a partying mood.

It turns out that her high school reunion class of ’57 started its reunion activities on Monday with a boat cruise off Diamond Head and a fireworks display! A whole week’s worth of get-togethers. Their 55th reunion is a big one, and I think it’s because of the great time they had at their 50th! Every fifth year after graduating, one’s class is honored at special tables at the Luau.

This year is my 45th (I’m still a baby ), but I’m not going to anything until Thursday’s kick-off reception.  That coincides with the alumni art show, check signing (a donation check from my class to the alma mater), and the last glee club rehearsal before performance day. Punahou has fundraising and development down to a science, with many opportunities and choices for its community.

Thursday is followed by a party at Waikiki Aquarium, a memorial service in the chapel, the luau, an after-luau party on campus, and a beach party the day after.

I enjoy participating. It keeps me in touch. I like renewing friendships and making new ones. I just haven’t figured out how to clone myself.

It’s rather remarkable, though, everything about our school. Go here to see the graduating class of 2012 and school spirit in action. See you at the Luau!

Copyright 2012 Rebekah Luke

Kahuku 30, Punahou 24

Images from last night’s HHSAA Division I State Football Championship game at Aloha Stadium. I’m a Buff ‘n’ Blue alumna. I live in Red Raider country. Where to sit? What color to wear? Arrggg! What a great game! Hail to the champs!

Early in the big game. Unfortunately, No. 90 Punahou was injured in the first quarter.

Playing with color. My neighbors of Ko'olauloa are cheering in the red section. After Kahuku won, they honked their car horns, yelled and screamed past the studio, all the way to the North Shore. Kaaawa brought out the aerial fireworks.

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke

Yellow plumeria: so traditionally Punahou

Ready for stringing

Last night’s heavy thunder storm left enough yellow plumeria on the tree outside the studio for tonight’s Punahou School commencement. I just finished picking the flowers in between the rain showers. Next I’ll be stringing the longest lei possible for my family’s deserving graduate Anna. Congratulations to the Class of 2011! And congratulations to all their parents, too!

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke

Hear an amazing iPhone recording of the Punahou Alumni Glee Club on soundcloud

Great time last night singing and dancing hula with the Punahou Alumni Glee Club. DH recorded the performance at Pohai Nani with his iPhone!

Today’s technology is amazing. Have a listen by going to the soundcloud. Click on this link. You can have the 45 minutes play in the background while you do something else, or you can click on any part of the sound wave bar to hear just a part of it.

Our glee club sings Hawaiian numbers. Last night, in observance of Veteran’s Day, our finale was a musical tribute to the Armed Forces and the USA.

Here’s a snapshot DH took of us setting up and trying to get organized prior to the doors opening. That’s one of our directors Vicky Hollinger on the left and me on the right in the front row.

Related post:

http://rebekahstudio.wordpress.com/2010/10/02/a-gleeful-day-at-queen-emma-summer-palace-in-honolulu

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke

Top dog

After gigging with the Punahou Alumni Glee Club at the Punahou Carnival yesterday and joining my classmates to serve up what was hoped to be 4,800 Hawaiian food plate dinners at the cafeteria, DH and I climbed the back of Rocky Hill to our car for the 50-minute ride back to the the studio.

Once home, I turned on the tube, put my feet up, and rewarded myself with apple, cheese, crackers and a cup of hot tea. The dog show championships were on. Those pooches are beautiful this year. But none as unique as my top dog Alice Brown, a silky terrier/dachshund mix.

In this photo taken after a morning digging up sand crabs, she looks as tired as we were!

Alice Brown

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke

A good day for going with the flow

A good day, yesterday. Finished another painting. Caught up with Naomi at the park. Introduced baby and tried our luck at restaurant. Ate pasta with my friend Jan. Bought some starter veggie plants. Even put them into the ground. Every day, almost, my health improves. For now I’m simply going with the flow.

The Rope Swing

The Rope Swing. Painted at Kalaeokaoio Beach Park, Kaaawa. It’s historical. The swing is gone.

My friend Naomi. A painter and a sculptor. I hadn’t seen her since before Thanksgiving. February’s around the corner. Punahou Carnival time! and we compare art notes. She’ll have six of her whimsical ceramic sculptures at the carnival Art Gallery, and I’ll have two oils. As a featured artist, she gets to start with more than two pieces in the show. I think she’s a featured artist because her work always sells! Way to go!

Lunch with Jan. I had a lunch date. Until I’m driving again, DH is my chauffeur. I said, just bring baby along, I really want to see Jan. If it becomes unmanageable, then go on ahead, I’d take the bus home. You see, we were not sure how it would work out. The restaurant. At 8 months the baby is starting to express herself and crawl about. As the adults traded our latest stories over pasta, baby sat and ate so very nicely, checking out the other diners. She really is Miss Marvelous, already preferring shopping and going out with the girls!

The garden. To the 5 gallons of vermicast (worm poop) that I harvested and stirred into a section of the garden, I added okra, eggplant, celery, sage, lettuce, and mint. We still have beets, kale, basil, rosemary, garlic chives, salad greens, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and last season’s eggplant. I love it. To your health ~ Rebekah

Copyright 2010 Rebekah Luke