Kaimuki High School Class of 1977 at the Birthday Bash reunion on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
The afternoon began quite nice, arriving with plenty of parking, and lots of early comers! Appreciated the help of the early few, Claire, Helene, Jocelyn, Merle, Lori, Grant, Eddie, Dexter, Daniel to name a few. It was work to set up, get the tables prepped, setup the balloons, and getting ready for fun. The photographer was early too. He had already set up the chairs on stage for the group photo. To our surprise, that meant no chairs at tables for some people. This was actually a nice feature, as Merle commented because people were coming in with nowhere to sit! Ha! Their chairs were on the stage. This was for the first hour or so. But it worked out well as those people easily mingled, and mingled. It was a great opening to a wonderful night.
At check-in, everyone received a goodie bag that included a CD -great music! (Mahalo Merle and her bro), a KHS foundation pen with fact-finding about the foundation and their purpose. Great bunch of people involved for a great cause. An annual fundraising dinner is held in March to support the foundation, that supports the school programs. They put out some great food and entertainment. Definitely an opportunity for us to give back to the school and socialize. A cute little “piggie” – 1959 the year of Boar gang – handmade by Leonora. Great goodies for sure.
We started with pupu, then our ice breaker bingo game. The game started well, but because everyone was already mingling, they didn’t need an ice breaker! Ha.
Dinner was excellent as usual, with the fine service and hospitality that Natsunoya is known for.
The ono shrimp tempura, salad, poke, shoyu pork, fish, hmmm, yummy.
We introduced our 8, mainland/outer island visitors, and they received a lei.
Door prizes were offered through the night and the help of Darren as MC was appreciated.
Our first game was Grant’s baby. Called the “Fancy Feet” – well only the men participated. The setup included an extra-large roll of paper that covered across the stage, so we could only see “feet”, as they rocked and rolled to “who let the dogs out!”..as the audience of women gave rousing applause to the best candidate! We have yet to figure out whose feet that was! That was so funny.
Next, we had a short powerpoint that I worked on, giving a history of Kaimuki High school. I then showed different pictures of places that we frequented as teens/kids that are not longer there, ie “termite palace”, stadium bowl-a-dome, Kapiolani bowl, KC drive-in, and Alex drive-in. most people recognized it right off the bat. Fun memories for sure.
The playdoh game was next, and the creativity abound. Basically, a game that required modeling of your favorite toy from back in the day. A combined effort was allowed. The winners were “Gumby & Poki” and “jacks”. Very nice and great participation.
The night flew by and before we knew it, we had to begin the cleaning up process. Everyone chipped in once again. Hard to say goodbye, as the parking lot attendants actually came in to look for the owners of the cars in the lot! Ha,ha. I was one of them.
Overall we all walked away pleased with a happy event, one that allowed us to just be with each other and walk down memory lane. Not much has changed, well sure, I’d be a liar if I said it didn’t, but with that said, we are all pushing/or already at the age “60” (ha, I’m still 59, until December!) Can you imagine this is our parent’s ages!
On behalf of the “fierce-some four-some”, party planners, Grant, Eddie, Lori and myself, it was our pleasure working together with this one common goal to get together for a night of fun, laughter and camaraderie – with the responses and positive vibes we received, including the great hugs and congratulatory speeches that went on – I can say we met our goal. Mahalo everyone for your kokua and aloha!
Next up – Lord willing – year, 2022, 45th Reunion. Stay tuned! Pamela
