Brigham Young University Hawai'i invites all Ko'olauloa community residents to participate in open activities planned during its Golden Jubilee celebration from October 13-23, 2005 .
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Vernice Wineera and Rex Frandsen, who have been serving as co-chairs of the steering committee which has been planning the event for the past three years, explained the university's 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee celebration has been going on throughout 2005, but BYU-Hawai'i officials are expecting thousands of students, faculty, alumni and community members to come together on campus for a series of concentrated activities during "Jubilee week."
Some of the highlights of the week include:
On Saturday, Oct. 22nd, there will be several key community events:
On Sunday, there will be:
For more information on tickets for the various events, call 808-293-3783 or stop by the Aloha Center front desk.
There will also be an art exhibit on display from Oct. 10-24 in the Ballroom, featuring approximately 100 pieces by current and former faculty, as well as students and alumni; and a quilt display in the Library and various other activities.
Wineera and Frandsen encourage all interested community residents to participate in as many activities as they can.
"I came to Lä'ie and Church College on Jan. 10, 1960, when the school was only five years old. Lä'ie was a very small community, but it was absolutely wonderful," Wineera recalled. "There was a graciousness among the local people that was just embracing.
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Wineera |
"I think that spirit continues even until today, although the world has changed dramatically. This place, this small town, has maintained a spirit that you can't find anywhere else.
"We have a beautiful university, excellent in every way with academic programs; and we have the Cultural Center which is one of the top tourist sites in the state of Hawai'i and is unique in all the nation.
"We have the most beautiful natural resources. The landscape of this place is something that people from everywhere else in the world would love to live in. I think we're very, very blessed," she said.
"Any kind of historic milestone, like the 50th anniversary of this university, is a time for counting these blessings and being very, very grateful. I myself, my children and grandchildren have benefited from living here.
"This is why everyone in the university administration and throughout the school is so excited to be able to invite the whole community to the campus. We've made most of the events free of charge so that families can come and enjoy. It's a way of us saying thank you and giving back to the community has been so supportive for everything the university has done and accomplished in its first 50 years," Wineera continued.
"BYU-Hawai'i would not have grown to what it is or achieved the excellence of all that it does without solid support from the community people. They are the backbone of the staff and many are on the faculty. Many of the community children are on campus as students, getting an excellent education.
"I really believe that President McKay and those who foresaw the bright future we're celebrating today, saw even further ahead into the future. I expect community families will be able to participate even more than they now do in the years ahead.
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Frandsen |
"I think the university is going to grow and its reputation is going to increase. BYU-Hawai'i going to be recognized even further afield for its high standards, and it will be a great university for future generations of community children to gain an excellent education and pursue their own futures."
Frandsen, who has lived in Lä'ie for 41 years, added, "It's been interesting to see how the entire steering committee has been able to bring together the vision that President Shumway had for this celebration.
"This is an opportunity to reflect on our past, and to build on it as we look to the future," he said. "It's going to be a glorious opportunity, not only to celebrate but to learn and grow from the experiences planned.
"We hope it will be a highlight in the lives of every current student. I think it will also be great for the alumni to come back and see the changes on campus and see the progress we're making.
Frandsen added, "I would encourage every student, faculty member, staff person and community resident to become involved in the Jubilee and understand that we're not only celebrating the past, but we're celebrating the future as well."
To accommodate two new food tenants who have recently signed leases, Lä'ie Shopping Center will relocate several existing tenants over the coming months and is considering other tenant-mix options.
Richard Vierra, Director of Property Management for Hawai'i Reserves, Inc. which manages the shopping center, explained that by signing new leases with Taco Bell™ and Pizza Hut™ HRI is trying to create more of a food court atmosphere.
"We're looking to broaden our opportunities in the food and beverage area to give shopping center patrons more choices," he said. The ability to bring in a full-menu Mexican restaurant is a great opportunity."
He said, "Domino's Pizza did not renew its lease at the center, but is still looking for alternate real estate on the North Shore. I believe they're exploring sites in Kahuku and Hau'ula, but I don't know what they're going to do."
Meanwhile, he continued, Pizza Hut will take over the space previously occupied by Rainbow Balloons & Flowers, which has been vacant for several months, and Taco Bell will move into the space currently occupied by long-time tenant Lä'ie Washerette.
"Pizza Hut's plans look very good. They turned them into the [City and County] Building Department in August, and anticipate the earliest they can get a building permit is November, but that could stretch out into January 2006. If everything runs smoothly after that, we could see Pizza Hut open by May next year."
Vierra explained the space situation for Taco Bell is more complex: "The washerette becomes a critical component, because it's so important to the community.
"We're looking at our options, although there will be a period of time they will be down, but we're trying to minimize that.
"One of the options is putting the washerette in the space that will be vacated by Domino's," Vierra said, adding that owners Thomas and Laura Adolpho of Hau'ula have assured us that the new location will feature upgraded space, all-new machinery and air conditioning. They will also include a dry cleaner drop-off.
"Everything is really dependent on building permits, but when Pizza Hut gets its permit, I'll let Domino's know they have to leave. I would expect a two-to-three month transition from the time Pizza Hut get the space until they're up and fully running.
In other Lä'ie Shopping Center news, he noted that Amber Nails and 'Ohana Video are switching places. "Basically, Amber Nails many months ago asked to downsize, and a few months back 'Ohana Video asked for a larger space. We thought for the short-run we'll switch them."
Vierra said Amber Nails left its location on Sept. 10th, and on Sept. 15th 'Ohana Video started moving into that store. "They anticipate being fully out of their old space and up and running in the new space by Oct. 7th.
"Amber Nails will then go right into their new space, and I would suspect they will be open for business about a week after that. We've been helping them with storage and fixing the spaces to expedite the move," Vierra said. "The move ultimately benefits both tenants and the community with expanded hours."
He noted that there are no current plans that affect The Hair Cut Store, which recently signed a one-year lease. He also noted that Jodi Pukahi, who had been managing the Lä'ie Domino's Pizza outlet, is now the manager of Subway™.
"We're working through the details of all the changes, and we believe the end result will be a win-win for the shopping center and the community," Vierra continued, adding HRI will continue to study "the best and highest use for the shopping center over the next year. If we had more space, we'd have even more options."
Hawai'i Reserves, Inc., the Mormon Historical Sites Foundation and the Lä'ie Community Association will place historical markers at two significant locations in Lä'ie on Oct. 20th, at 9 a.m. near the Lä'ie 1st Ward Chapel.
"We're delighted to partner with the Mormon Historical Sites Foundation and LCA to properly recognize these two locations," said R. Eric Beaver, HRI President and Chief Executive Officer, "especially in light of BYU-Hawaii's Golden Jubilee celebration. We're also contemplating additional markers in the future."
Beaver explained that HRI and MHSF have created beautifully illustrated, anodized metal plaques that will be mounted on waist-high blue-rock bases and recognize the importance of:
• The Latter-day Saint Mission School which Elder David O. McKay visited on February 12, 1921, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on a worldwide tour of Church missions. While there he witnessed the multi-ethnic children raising a U.S. flag., which led him to envision the establishment of a university in Lä'ie. That scene is artistically recreated in a mosaic mural above the entrance to the BYU-Hawai'i David O. McKay Building.
President McKay broke ground for the Church College of Hawai'i on February 12, 1955. CCH, which was renamed Brigham Young University Hawai'i in 1974, started in the old Lä'ie chapel and temporary facilities near the earlier school in September 1955. Labor missionaries soon began construction of the permanent campus, which President McKay dedicated on Dec. 17, 1958.
The mission elementary school President McKay visited was built about 1915, the same year work began on the Lä'ie Hawai'i Temple. It was located approximately where the Lä'ie 1st Ward Chapel now stands. Responsibility for the school was transferred to the Territory of Hawai'i in August 1927 and the school campus was subsequently moved to its present location on Hale La'a Blvd. and Kamehameha Hwy.
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The 1921 flag-raising
at Lä'ie misison school |
Lä'ie
Plantation Store in the mid-1950s |
• The Lä'ie Plantation Store, which opened in 1913 on the corner of what is now Lanihuli Street and Naniloa Loop. Over the years the location was also the site of a laundry, ice house, barber shop and beauty shop, while plantation offices, a post office, and the Bank of Hawai'i were located next door.
In its earlier years, the store accepted script as payment by plantation workers, and also served as a stop for the plantation railroad, which shut down in 1946. After the temporary CCH campus opened in 1955, it was popularly known as Goo's Store, after Charles K.C. Goo who moved to Lä'ie from Honolulu and took over its operation. When he retired in 1986, the store was demolished and Goo's son and wife, Charles and Helen Goo, now live on the site.
In addition to Beaver, other participants in the brief program will include Dr. Fred E. Woods, MHSF Executive Director; Pane Meatoga, LCA president; BYU-Hawai'i President Eric B. Shumway; Riley Moffat, president of the Lä'ie-based Mormon Pacific Historical Society; Charley Goo; S. Wilfred Navalta, president of the LDS Lä'ie North Stake; and the Lä'ie Hawaiian Choir.
The Lä'ie Hawai'i Temple recently completed a major restoration of 24 interior stained glass windows during its summer hiatus, and is currently relandscaping all the grounds.
Some people may not have even realized the stained glass windows, designed in a stylized "tree of life" motif by the original architects, Hyrum Pope and Harold Burton, have circled the upper walls of the "celestial room" since the temple was completed in 1919. There are six on each of four walls.
Pope and Burton designed two other temples — Mesa, Arizona; and Cardston, Alberta, Canada — similar to the one in Lä'ie. In fact, the one in Cardston was started in 1913, two years before Lä'ie, but it wasn't completed until 1923 due to delays caused by World War I.
President Joseph F. "Iosepa" Smith, who served as a missionary in Hawai'i and spoke fluent Hawaiian, asked the architects to build a smaller version in Lä'ie, starting in 1915.
In earlier years the Lä'ie Temple windows were kept open for ventilation. That, and the 86 years of built-up corrosion since they were installed, led temple officials to call in Tom Holdman, an expert stained glass artist from Thanksgiving Point, Utah.
In addition to the Lä'ie Temple, Holdman has done stained glass work on LDS temples in Palmyra and Manhattan, New York; Winter Quarters, Nebraska; Nauvoo, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas; and São Paulo, Brazil.
Holdman and his seven-man crew, who started the project on June 30th, over the next several weeks removed the moldings which held the original windows in place, and then removed 154 fragile pieces of stained glass from each of the 24 lead frameworks.
Each window is approximately 19 inches wide and a little over 48 inches high.
Next, they carefully cleaned, restored, and in a few cases replaced the nearly 3,700 beautiful pieces of glass back in the restored lead frameworks. Then they put the completed windows back into new mountings, which seals the stained glass artworks between a sandwich of glass, and reinstalled them. All of the work was done on the temple grounds.
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The Lä'ie Hawai'i
Temple grounds are being completely re-landscaped |
"They're truly beautiful, and once again adding a bright pearlescent light to the temple's celestial room," said one man after seeing them.
Temple workers put on a lü'au for the visiting stained glass artists before they returned to the mainland.
Meanwhile, work is currently progressing on relandscaping the temple grounds — a project that was first proposed by former temple president J. Richard Clarke in 2001. The design has since been reworked to tie into the recently completed Hale La'a Blvd. project.
The temple relandscaping plans call for removing all the low plants and grass between the long walls of the temple. For example, the former croton bushes will be replaced with beds of flowers along the walls, small shrubs, some monkeypod trees and the same type of grass growing along Hale La'a Blvd.
A project spokesman said the work does not affect the pools or fountains. Earlier this year the Lä'ie Temple Visitors Center was completely refurbished, while new granite tiles were installed around the fountain. Some of the old sago palms have also been removed and replaced with new royal palms.
Thousands of visitors stop at the Lä'ie Temple every year, many of them coming as part of their Polynesian Cultural Center experience.
The temple grounds and Visitors Center are open every day from 9-9.
You can't help studying the faces and long-ago scenes. You're drawn to the captions. Visiting kama'äina from the mainland bring cameras to capture their own copies of the images, some of them seeing pictures of their aunties, uncles, grandparents and even great-grandparents for the first time.
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'Country Doctor' Marc
Shlachter and part of his historical photo collection — folifoto |
We're talking, of course, about the fabulous collection of old photos in "Country Doctor" Marc Shlachter's office in the Lä'ie Shopping Center, where the walls in the waiting room and hallway are covered with historic treasures.
"I would say I have about 500 pictures. I'm now out of space, and I have a three-foot stack in my office yet," said Dr. Shlachter, who explained he started the collection when he moved into his current office in 1989.
"I had a lot of blank walls to fill up," he continued. "That year I saw some pictures of the old original Hau'ula Fire Department in 1927 in a patient's scrapbook during a house call. Ever since then, whenever I made a house call, I went through their albums before I left."
Dr. Shlachter recalled he first came to Hawai'i on vacation in 1961 from Cleveland, Ohio, after watching an advance copy of the popular movie, Gidget Goes Hawaiian, at his high school graduation party.
He added he came back permanently in 1971 after graduating from medical school at the University of Cincinnati, and opened his first family practice office in a "beach shack" in Hau'ula. "I wish I had started the collection when I was in Hau'ula, but I couldn't have appreciated all the family ties and the relationships then," he said.
"When I found a picture I liked, I asked if I could make a copy of it," Dr. Shlachter continued, noting he asked Kahuku High art teacher Sherrill Balbirona to frame the first dozen; but he never dreamed the collection would become so extensive. "I was just trying to put something on the blank walls.
"The first few I did I had real fancy matting and framing. Once I started, I couldn't change," so the Country Doctor started taking the pictures to the Frame Shop on Cooke Street in Honolulu. Each one now costs about $50 to properly frame.
"After several years, people started bringing me pictures they thought I would appreciate," he continued. "Half of the people told me they did not want them on the wall, but then a month later, they would start looking for them.
"Another thing, once you get a picture up, it's very difficult to move it. People want to know why you moved grandma down two feet. You also have to have the spelling of the names perfect," Dr. Shlachter said. "The first time I saw the name Külani, I thought it was Kalani. I had relatives calling me up and telling me to change the spelling."
Asked to comment on some of his favorites, Dr. Shlachter started to tell the significance of some of the pictures, including:
"Collecting these pictures, we can see how sports have dominated the lives in Hau'ula, even way back; and how life in Kahuku centered around the sugar mill. I've got all these old pictures of employees," Dr. Shlachter said. "Of course, in Lä'ie how the Church and PCC was the center of the community; and how the high school athletic teams brought everything together and unified the communities."
He added he's still looking for old pictures of scenery, buildings or people from as far back as possible, "especially ones where the names of the people are known."
Dr. Shlachter pointed out the collection isn't all photos. "There are also a few other pieces from local artists Wylie Swap and LaMoyne Garside; trophies from the 'strongest man in the world,' Preston 'Toe' Vance in Hau'ula; and a Leroy Transfield sculpture. Of the latter, Dr. Shlachter said, "The lady who modeled for it was very upset, because I put an extra 50 or 100 pounds on her."
Then there are Dr. Shlachter's own photos he took over the years on his world travels to the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Himalayas. These fascinating shots hang in the exam rooms.
But his most important pictures are in his office: Pictures of his wife, Donna Adversalo Shlachter, whom he married in 1975. "We met at Kahuku Hospital. She was working there part time," he said.
And pictures of their three daughters, all of whom graduated from Kahuku High: Kori ('95), who now teaches at Kahuku; Leah ('96), a professional mountain climber in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Joy ('98), who teaches at Ka'a'awa Elementary.
As part of the BYU-Hawai'i year-long Golden Jubilee celebration, the university established a special website at w2.byuh.edu/jubilee that includes all kinds of information, history, pictures, interviews and two monitored interactive pages:
A "blog," if you're not familiar with the term, is an abbreviation of "web log" and refers to a running list of submissions. In the case of the Favorite Faculty 'Blog' over 350 entries are listed.
Both the faculty and scrapbook blogs can be searched by specific names, dates, etc., or can be viewed in entirety.
To add your own comments, simply go to either page, and click on "add comments," then fill out the form. Digitized pictures can also be submitted.
Each submission will be reviewed and those accepted may possibly undergo minor editing. Submitters will be notified by e-mail when their items are posted on the site.
Again, we encourage you to submit your own comments and experiences with BYU-Hawai'i, that will become a permanent part of the record of the university 50th anniversary celebrations.
To further encourage you to add your own memories, a sampling of submissions from the two web pages follows:
Chinese Premier visits BYUH in '84
Aloha.
It's not often that you see heads of states from nations, but I was so fortunate
to be there when the late Chinese Premier Zhao Ziang visited the campus and
his alumna daughter, who initiated the visit to BYUH & PCC.
As the Huey chopper landed at the Little Circle my fellow alum and now LAPD officer Doug Elms took pictures, only to be told by the Secret Service to move back! But what a site it was to see Elder Marvin J. Ashton and Pres. Eliot Cameron welcome the VIPs cordially to our campus.
My memory of that historic moment is so vivid that even today I marvel at the prophecy of President David O. McKay whose words were delivered only feet from the reception area, that those who attend this University will have an impact on all the world ! How now to top that Off! Mahalo Nui!
Bandula 'Beau' Sri Amarasekara ('88), Colombo,Sri Lanka
What to do in the rain
One of my fondest memories of being at CCH was the fun and creative things
to do in the rain. I remember being introduced to grass surfing and thought
it was incredibly ingenious of Ned Aikau, who I remember as the person
who introduced it to us. It was an upgrade to playing in mud puddles, only
the participants were 18-plus-years old. The area near the library was always
the best place as it usually was flooded and left a pool of water that was
knee-deep, the perfect depth for grass surfing. All one needed was bare feet
and an attitude for adventure.
We ran, and slid into the puddle of water. The splash was awesome, if one got it just right, and bystanders got the full brunt of it. The rain did not dampen our spirits and our happiness added sunshine to an otherwise gloomy day.
Pat Corpus ('71), Anchorage, Alaska
Usher at the PCC night show
My second job at BYU-Hawai'i was an usher at the PCC night show. I loved
that job! I used to have fun and tell the tourists I was from the Island
of Sweden for a laugh.
Sandra Nesbit ('82), Pitman, New Jersey
Da Boss
My father, Dick Ballou,
was the band director at BYUH/CCH from 1970-81. During his tenure in Lä'ie, he became affectionately known to
his students as either "Da Boss" or "Bruddah B." Years
after he retired he would still run across people who referred to him as "Boss." Unfortunately,
both my parents (Dick and Jane) were killed in an auto accident last summer.
Dad was 80 and mom was 77. They had just moved to Ashton, Idaho, to be near
my family. Although I was only a kid when we lived in Hawai'i, my dad's
countless examples of loving service to his students left a lasting impression
on me. I also have fond memories of many students who made our home their
home away from home. They were like big brothers and sisters to me!
Rich Ballou, Rexburg, Idaho
The Choir Man
The Choir Man, Joseph H. Spurrier, asked Ken Slack, librarian,
and a respectable tenor, and his wife, Dorothea, an excellent soprano,
to be soloists for a few solos from Handel's Messiah. Joe also gambled
on my wife, Janet, and me as soloists. Along with the student choir,
the presentation was welcomed with pleased applause of the attendees. Lä'ie's
musical librarians and wives enjoyed the experience. I enjoyed both Joe and
his sweet wife, Catherine Spurrier, and his knowledge of Hawaiian
history which he shared with me during many drives together to Church meetings
in Honolulu. Thanks, Joe, you made those long drives fun and informative!
CCH's second librarian, J. Carlyle Parker ('60-'63) Turlock, CA Turlock, CA
Outdoor Activities
Kyndra Smith, your class was the most fun and memorable one I took
at BYU-Hawai'i. The mud sliding was one of the most exciting, dirty,
things I have ever done and the stains still haven't come out. Thank you
so much for being so much fun and such a great example.
Kara Swanemyr ('02), Las Vegas, NV
CCH Dean becomes an obstetrician
In
the evening of May 3, 1961, my late husband — Dr. Kay J. Andersen — and
I were racing ahead of the stork toward the hospital in Honolulu. I was lying
in the back of our station wagon. A policeman stopped us for speeding in
Ka'a'awa and refused to escort us on our way. Shortly thereafter,
while passing through a lot of banana trees, I called out to stop, and Kay
jumped out and caught little Dan as he emerged.
As soon as he was breathing adequately, Kay approached a nearby fruit stand that was closing down for the day. A Hawaiian woman called an ambulance, warning him not to touch that baby. The hospital could not find a name for the place he was born, so his birth certificate reads "born on Kamehameha Highway, O'ahu."
Once the initial shock was over, Kay claimed great credit for his new skill.
Amelia Andersen
Concert Choir, early 90s
The BYU-Hawaii Music Department was a second home to me. Whether it was music
theory from Dr. Preston Larson, sight singing with Dr. James Smith,
or piano under Sister Nadine Kekau'oha — I spent a lot
of time in the music lab.
My most favorite time of the day was 12 noon. This was when I got to forget about homework and deadlines, etc., and just SANG! Concert Choir offered me an escape from the (sometimes) drudgery of everyday school life. I looked forward to it and made many life-long friends there. I absolutely love and appreciate Dr. James Arthur Smith.
Lice Teru Rama-Niu ('98), Lä'ie
Lend him an ear
In the Fall of 1975, Showcase Hawai'i was invited to perform at the
Big Island County Fair. Just before the show, Bobby Äkoi was
helping unload equipment from our van. Suddenly, someone pushed the truck
door shut before Bobby could get his head out of the way...and it sliced
off part of his left ear.
As he was being treated at the first aid station, the nurse told Randy Boothe, our director, to find Bobby's missing ear lobe. So the group looked around and found the missing part. Randy placed it on some tissue paper and later handed it to Bobby's mother, who was waiting in the audience to see her son perform — oblivious to what just happened. She then rushed to the hospital where Bobby had just been given a blessing before being wheeled to the operating room.
Amazingly, Bobby had NO idea that a part of his ear had been sliced off. Incredibly, while on the gurney, he spots the piece of flesh swimming in a glass container. His doctor's response after he asks curiously what was in the bottle: "You jokin'? Bruddah, dat's your ear!"
Bobby missed the show but his ear got fixed. You'd never even know it was once missing a lobe. This was one of the most fantastic stories of Showcase Hawai'i. It sounds like an urban legend — but it's true.
Next time y'all see Bobby Akoi, don't be looking at his ear. Look at his smile and his bright countenance!
Christie deRama-Faux ('81), Henderson, Nevada
My mentor and friend
Ron Jackson was the reason I went into the field of education. As a
freshman, I didn't know what I wanted my major to be, until I had a
class from Ron. He made education seem like the only logical choice: It prepared
me to be a good friend and mother as much as it did a good teacher. Ron,
over time, also became a very close friend, as did his wife, Letty. Ron will
live as a hero forever in my mind. I was able to talk with him briefly on
the phone before his passing and I cherish that short talk.
Glenna Younkin ('74), Wenatchee, WA
He helped me raise a family and succeed
Carmen Davis, thanks for all of the skills you taught me during my
time as an Industrial Tech major. Those skills helped me raise a family of
seven and succeed in my profession. I have built or directly supervised the
construction of close to 2,000 homes. Your patience and caring have never
been forgotten.
I still tell the story of how you let me sleep with my head on my desk through an entire Architectural Design class and woke me only as you were locking the building that night. My three years in your classes are always remembered warmly and counted as some of my best times. Hope we have the opportunity to meet again some day.
Tom Armitage ('76) MA
1978-79 men's basketball team
I played
the first part of the season that school year and, as I recall, we were pretty
average. I think that year (or was it 1977-78) was the last year BYU-Hawai'i
participated in the local military basketball league. I think we played against
teams from Ft. Shafter, Schofield, Käne'ohe
Marine Corps, and college teams like Hawai'i Pacific College, Hawai'i
Loa College, Chaminade and UH-Hilo. I think there was also a Lutheran College
at the time. I think Hilo, coached by Jimmy Yagi, was the front-runner, with
Merv Lopes' Chaminade team a close second. As I also recall, HPC might have
been coached by Tony Sellito and Hawai'i Loa might have been coached
by a guy who coached previously at Kailua High: the name Coco Santos comes
to mind but I could be wrong.
One of the highlights of the year was Anthony Pickard — who at the time was not LDS but is now a bishop in Kahuku — setting a Hawai'i scoring record of 65 or so points in one game here at BYUH's old gym (the only gym we had!). I don't hear much of the record now because I don't think that sort of thing was a big deal then, or because it was not an NAIA or NCAA-type league, but I remember the guy was on fire that night and I know I gave him at least 5-6 assists!
Another fun moment (either that year of the year before; I forget) was when the university re-tiled the old gym roof and did the construction phase on a Friday afternoon: They left a million screw holes in the roof but did not put the tiles on until Monday. Of course, it rained Friday night right before game time and all the players, coaches, fans and referees had to get down on hands and knees with towels to wipe up the water before game time.
Richard Vierra ('83), Lä'ie
He was worried
My sister, Chai, and I were engaged to be married in the Hawai'i
Temple in the summer of '78. She was engaged to Wayne Yoshimura from
Wahiawä and I to Mark James from Washington D.C.
Even though we were two years apart, some people thought we were twins. We lived off-campus on the corner of Moana Street and Hale La'a Blvd. We usually walked past the Temple to get to campus. One morning, Chai and I were walking together to school. Elder Watanabe, a retiree Temple missionary from Japan, came running out to us. He was smiling and patting his hand on his heart saying, "Now my heart is at peace."
He said that he had been debating whether to talk with Wayne, whom he knew on his mission in Japan, about this. Elder Watanabe was getting very concerned about the "love triangle" he was witnessing from the Temple grounds: Sometimes he would see Chai with Wayne walking to school. Other times, he would see "Chai" with Mark James, the haole boy. He continued to see this "soap opera" even when he knew Wayne's wedding was drawing close.
On this merciful day, he realized that there were TWO of us! No one was a two-timer. No hearts were going to be broken. How relieved and happy he was.
Choon James ('79), Lä'ie
A true "original"
I met "Dottle" Behling when she was a senior at Kahuku
High School and I was a freshman at CCH. Her dad, Earl Behling, was
one of the original CCH labor mission supervisors, and one of the smartest
men I ever knew. He knew more than a lot of the faculty members did, and
it was always very informative to listen to him speak on just about any subject.
Anyway, the next few years found Dottle and I doing a number of things together, and she was a real dynamo of action and passion. She had a great singing voice, and we sang in a number of groups together. Her later works as a genealogist are, probably, her greatest contributions to the community of Lä'ie. She ranks up there as one of the true "originals."
Ishmael W. Stagner, II ('61), Hawai'i
The Hawai'i State Board of Education recently honored the Polynesian Cultural Center for its work in annually supporting the State Teacher of the Year program with $500 cash awards to each of seven district teachers, and an additional $1,000 award to the state honoree.
"The Polynesian Cultural Center has served as the State program corporate sponsor for 20 consecutive years," said Department of Education Superintendent Pat Hamamoto. She added the "PCC's Pacific family present the honors in an exciting Polynesian style."
Before Seamus Fitzgerald and PCC Maori village workers made this year's awards, Hamamoto presented PCC Assistant to the President Les Steward with a plaque that read in part "...the Polynesian Cultural Center has been a true friend of public education and a wonderful partner for each of the last 20 years, and we look forward to the next 20 and beyond."
BOE members also displayed cards saying "thank you" in the languages of each island cultures at the PCC.
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Kahuku High sports are on a powerful roll this fall that bodes well for the year ahead, as evidenced by the big Homecoming win over Farrington, 43-0, on Sept. 30th, and despite a surprise 6-23 loss to Castle on Sept. 16th. For example, the JV football team also shut out Farrington, 14-0.
To keep the community up-to-date, school athletic director, Joe Whitford, recently shared the following sports reports with Kaleo:
Football
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Lineman's dream: William
Tupuola recovers a Farrington fumble and advances the ball |
"The Castle loss was a sour taste, but it's helped us to refocus. When everybody tells you you're good, sooner or later that gets to your head. We're still in a good position. We'll still be in the playoffs, but now we won't host the playoffs because we won't be the top seed.
"The team sits at 3-1 in the regular OIA season, and overall we're overall we're 4-1," Whitford said. "In our five games so far, we've only given up 23 points — all scored by Castle in our only loss. The other four games were shut-outs, and the 'mercy rule' came into play in three of those games."
He explained that under the OIA's mercy rule, "if there's a 35-point difference at the beginning of the second half, the clock keeps running. It doesn't stop for anything except time-outs and injuries.
"We have a very good chance to win the OIA. I like our chances, although the OIA West teams — Mililani, Wai'anae and Kapolei — are very good. Mililani has always been good. Wai'anae has been down for a couple of years, but this year they're up. Kapolei's coming on strong, so it's going to be interesting."
Asked how some of the individual players have been doing, Whitford diplomatically said, "I'll mimic what Coach [Siuaki] Livai said: "The defense has played very well. Linemen B.J. Beatty and Micah Wily have been pressuring the quarterbacks very well; also Kyle Älö.
"The coach also says the offense has a way to go, but they're coming together. Offense always takes more time," he continued.
"This Friday we play at Roosevelt. Remember, a couple of years ago they were a spoiler, so we expect them to be a challenge again.
"We close out the regular season on Oct. 14th against Kaimukï at Kaiser.
Whitford pointed out that the JV team is currently in first place at 4-0, "and is going after its eighth OIA title in the past nine years. Offensively, Kaliki Unga is the primary ball carrier, and on defense Manti Te'o is very strong. One game where we were losing, Coach Reggie Torres put him in as a back and he scored two touchdowns. He's so big for a freshman."
Volleyball
"The varsity girls are currently ranked 4th in the state and we're in first place in the OIA East, at 6-0. There have been steady performances by Camilla Ah Hoy and Ane Vea," Whitford continued.
"On Oct. 6th we play Kalani at McKinley, and the game will be broadcast on OC16. We also play against Roosevelt on TV on Oct. 13th. Oceanic wanted us for a third game, but we had two away-games in a row on weeknights. I said we can't do that to the kids; but they always want us on TV."
Whitford noted the varsity boys team is in second place at 5-1. "They're led by Charles Bell, a consistent player and one of the state's top volleyball recruits; and the JV girls are at 6-0, and they're in first place. They're going after their fourth consecutive OIA championship."
Cross Country
Whitford reported the runners are still in pre-season. "Ke'i Wasson is doing very well on the JV. She's one of the best," he said.
Air Riflery
"The boy's are currently at 2-2. Their best shooter is Jonathan Maguba-Glover. The girls are at 1-3, with Cindy Piasourapaanya as the best shooter. The coach says their improving, with the help of their relatively new range and 18 brand new air rifles."
Bowling
"We're doing okay," Whitford continued. "Both the girls and the boys varsity beat Kailua, 3-0, last Saturday. Artevia Wily scored the high game for the girls at 128/365 (best game/three-game series scores), while Adrian Adrid took honors for the boys at 176/457. A few days earlier Wily scored 141/355 against McKinley, although we lost that match, 0-3.
Other
In other Kahuku High sports news, Whitford reported "we received a donation of three bleachers from BYU-Hawai'i. They were just sitting there, so I drafted a letter and now we have some more seating.
"The new scoreboard donated by Campbell Estate is also up and functioning. A big mahalo to them for all their support over the years.
"And the football field is holding up very well. Even the visiting teams have commented how great the field looks. Two years ago the Farrington coach told me it was terrible, and it was."
Whitford added that he will announce the new swim and golf coaches in the next issue of Kaleo.
In conclusion, he said, "We're off to a great year, and we look forward to a lot of success in the other sports that are coming up. For example, both the girls and boys wrestling teams are looking very promising at the moment, and boys basketball should do very well. We have a lot of players coming back."
Go, Kahuku!
Kaleo lists a limited number of activities and encourages readers to re-verify details. To submit items, call 754-4304, or e-mail: foleym002@hawaii.rr.com by the Kaleo deadline before the event.
| Thursday, October 6: Kahuku High volleyball: vs. Kalani, 4, 5 and 6; boys vs. Kaläheo at 8 p.m. (televised); |
| Friday, October 7: Kahuku High football at Roosevelt, 5 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity; |
| Saturday, October 8: Meet Congressman Ed Case at the BYU-Hawai'i McKay Foyer, 4 p.m.; |
| Monday, October 10: Discover's Day (Teacher Waiver day: no public school); Kahuku High air riflery vs. Castle, 1 p.m.; |
| Tuesday, October 11: Kahuku Library, Bamboo Ridge Tales, 6:30 p.m.; Kahuku High volleyball at Moanalua, 5, 6 and 7 p.m.; |
| Wednesday, October 12: Kahuku Library 'Keikistorytime', 10-10:30 a.m. for ages 3-6 and caregivers (repeats each Wednesday); Kahuku High air riflery at Kaläheo, 1 p.m.; BYU-Hawai'i Golden Jubilee Week activities begin; |
| Thursday, October 13: Kahuku High volleyball at Roosevelt, 6, 7 8 p.m. (televised); Ko'olauloa Neighborhood Board meeting, Hau'ula Civic Center, 7 p.m.; |
| Saturday, October 15: Kahuku High football vs. Kaimukï at Kaiser, 4 p.m. JV, 6:30 p.m. varsity; |
| Monday, October 17: Bosses Day; |
| Tuesday, October 18: Friends of Kahuku Library meeting, 6:30 p.m.; KYAC general meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hau'ula Community Park; |
| Wednesday, October 19: Kahuku Library, Halloween crafts after school, 1:30 p.m.; |
| Thursday, October 20: Kahuku Community Association board meeting, 7 p.m., KVA; |
| Saturday, October 22: Make a Difference Day; |
| Tuesday, October 25: Kahuku Library, Chicken Skin Stories, Local Style, 6:30 p.m.; BYU-Hawai'i women's volleyball vs. UH-Hilo, 7:30 p.m., CAC; |
| Wednesday, October 26: Free concert with the Tongan Brass Band and BYU-Hawai'i brass band, 7:30 p.m., CAC; |
| Monday, October 31: Halloween; |
| Tuesday, November 1: KYAC board meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hau'ula Community Park; |
| Wednesday, November 2: Ko'olauloa Community Health & Wellness Center meeting, 6:30 p.m., BYUH Aloha Center 133; |
| Thursday, November
3: Deadline, next issue of Kaleo; BYUH Fine Arts play, 7 p.m., McKay Auditorium (runs through Saturday night); |
| Thursday, November 10: Next issue of Kaleo; |
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