Time is nigh to hele on back to Punahou!

The scene as alumni returned to campus for Reunion 2013.

There is a full menu of events planned for Punahou74′s 40th reunion. A lot of fun and laughs will be happening while the memories are being relived and made. But knowing the when and where is critical. What to do?

It isn’t rocket science. Sometimes the best way is the low tech way.

Click here for a printable listing of 40th reunion events. It’s easy to carry with you and is the easy way to stay on schedule.

Your reunion registration email contains a listing of the events for which you are registered. If you don’t have this information please let me know and I will try to get it to you. Note that I cannot register you, I can only let you know the events for which you are listed.

See you all soon!

All good things must come to an end. Or do they?

The committee hard at work at the final meeting.

At the last meeting of the Punahou74 40th reunion committee the final details were hammered out. There’s been a good sign up with more than 25% of the class responding and there will be a good program for all to enjoy. Check out the MayClassReunionMeeting minutes to review what has been planned.

Last call for door prize, floral, and dessert donations. Please let me know if you can help.

Watch your email and the blog for last minute updates regarding specifics and important reminders.

Just in time for reunion … an online forum to share information as we go along.

Smiles were found all around the room during our 35th reunion.

Have a question about the who, what, or where of reunion?

Want to give a shout out or share your good wishes with others?

Need to catch a ride to get to one of the events?

Given the number of questions that have come out so far and the number of answers that will be required, a forum has been set up for Punahou74 to ask and be answered in a place where all can benefit from the conversation.

Click here to go to the Punahou74 forum, It’s where you can ask your questions and, given the brainpower you will be networked into, receive the answers you need. Once there, click on “General Board” to get started.

So what’s keeping you? Get clicking!

A suggestion from Lisa Yamaguchi Bowden for something you might enjoy doing on Saturday, June 14.

Lisa knows how to pour a mean cup of pineapple juice.

Writes Lisa …

For those of you who’d like to do something on Saturday that’s a little less rigorous than a hike consider coming to the Kapiolani Community College’s Farmer’s Market between 7:30 to 11:15 a.m. (If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, click here for additional pictures and to read what Yelp reviewers think about it. Four stars!)

Come see me at my company’s Hawaiian Crown/Hawaii Pineapple Co. tents (we have three of them set up together). We are located at the bottom row across from the Maunawili Greens booth and next to the shaved ice booth.

SPECIAL PUNAHOU74-ONLY OFFER: Anyone who hunts me down and lets me know who they are will get a free mini pineapple or a cup of fresh-cut pineapple. Such a sweet deal! One thing though. My memory is less than stellar these days and I’d rather not embarrass myself by guessing–or just wear your name tag from our Friday party, okay? I still know how to read!

This is more than a cucumbers and cabbage kind of market. You’ll find plenty of prepackaged items and prepared food so come hungry for a taste of Hawaii and ready to support the terrific local farmers and vendors.

Look for the tent …

Special Note: Maunawili Greens is owned by Carrie Chang Talwar’s sister, Karla Caryle, and her husband Darrell. Stop by their booth and check out the ono hydroponic lettuce!

Oh, for those early birds who still want to make the hike, it doesn’t start until 9 a.m. So get to the Farmer’s Market early and double your pleasure. Breakfast anyone?

If you were on campus today you couldn’t help but see them.

The tents are up and filling on Middle Field, safety lighting has been installed, and the grounds are freshly mowed and manicured to welcome the return of thousands of alumni. Even signs have been posted listing a hearty “welcome” to family and friends.

Yes, the signs of reunion are everywhere and they’re mighty inviting.

But there was one sign that I haven’t seen during previous reunions and I wonder what you think about it.

Cereus buds that may bloom over a three night time span.

It’s the night blooming cereus.Yes, the night blooming cereus.

There they were today, spent blooms from last night and more blooms coming for tonight and beyond. What a miracle that they should be blooming now, in June, rather than the expected July and August.

Now, this isn’t the profusion of blooms that you see late in the summer but the flowers are there and they are, as always, gorgeous. Could it be that they want to send their own welcome to us alumni … especially the alumni who do not live locally and have only rare opportunities to catch their precious beauty?

Interesting question, no? What do you think? At the very least I encourage you consider a visit to the cereus hedge during Alumni Week to enjoy one of Punahou’s greatest living treasures.

Edie Brown-Vieyra was with us for only five years (grades 4-8) yet spent hours preparing flowers for the Friday party. She was one of several classmates for whom Punahou 74′s 40th was a first time reunion experience.

I just returned from the last 40th reunion event: a hike to Lulumahu Falls in Nuuanu Valley. Gave some final goodbyes, a hug for a bon voyage, and that was that. Pau. Wow. Time to get off of the train that started building steam at our September 28 meeting over eight long months ago. Are you having a post-reunion letdown? I feel your pain. What am I going to do with my time now?

I took extra vacation time off from work during the entire last week (and today). I knew that our 40th reunion would require hours of attention to last minute details and get-togethers.

As time would tell that was a good decision. I was booking it for many days running from prep to party and often at lightning speed. Both the days and nights were long and filled with a flurry of activity … but I was not alone in making the effort to bring our 40th reunion together.

As the saying goes, “many hands make light work.” In the parlance of the 40th reunion of the Punahou Class of 1974 this saying had special meaning as the number of people involved in our 40th swelled greatly from number running the 35th reunion. That is good news! The more the merrier and, when the serious business of planning for our 50th reunion comes to the table, we will have many able hands available to steer the canoe.

John Morgan welcoming his Punahou74 classmates and guests to his Nuuanu home for the Friday night party. He also hosted the Sunday class picnic at Kualoa Ranch.

Special kudos go out to John and Carri Morgan. Talk about generous! Our class is truly blessed to have a classmate who has the willingness of spirit to welcome classmates not only to Kualoa Ranch/Secret Island (as he has for reunion after reunion after reunion) but to offer a warm e komo mai to welcome us into the his private home. When one considers that we had more than 170 guests at our Friday event, the kindness of the Morgans’ spirit is overwhelming. Thank you, John and Carri.

Kudos also to the reunion committee itself. How many meetings can you attend, duke it out, and still stay friends? Well, we did it … and with a smile too! Of course, the great potluck snacks and liquid refreshments helped make the effort tolerable. Still, it was time away from busy schedules as well as family and friends and required time off from work for some. The sacrifice is appreciated and the great reunion result speaks to the value of the effort.

Thanks to the following Punahou74 classmates who walked the reunion walk this year:

Leslie Ching Allen, Bruce Ashford, Renee Ahuna Cabrinha, Alvin Cabrinha, Pauline Chang Chin, Susan Seto Donlon, Tom Farrell, Paul Goto, Heidi Hemmings Hall, Fred Hu, Mary Jane Markoskie, Scott Metcalf, Lynne Gartley Meyer, Meleanna Meyer, Mike Mikasa, Babs Miyano Young, Debbie Nogami Oyama, Derek Nakakura, Haven Young Rafto, Alan Rosehill, Lynette Lo Tom, Linda Sutton Torres

Bruce Ashford (blue shirt) led his Punahou74 classmates on four (count them four) reunion hikes. Here he leads the charge up the hill on the way to Lulumahu Falls.

Last but not least, thank you to the workhorses who came through with their time and talent to add that special panache to reunion itself. There are a lot of details that go into fine tuning any event of this size and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.

A special 40th reunion mahalo to the off-Oahu classmates who joined in by arranging a flower, strumming a guitar, providing a door prize, or offering a plate of cookies. Welcome to the reunion team! We know that you face the challenges of time and expense in making the journey to Oahu. We also know that there are extra demands upon your time from family, friends, and memories during your all-too-brief visit to the islands. To those who gave generously of their limited hours to the benefit of their classmates, mahalo! Mahalo! Mahalo!

Note: Bold names indicate event chairs.

KAHOOLAWE JOURNEY

Susan Seto Donlon

Meleana Meyer

MOVIE NIGHT

Mary Jane Markoskie

Henry Meyer (Lynne’s husband)

Do you know what a VGA adapter is and how to plug it in? Lynne Gartley Meyer’s husband Henry does! Thanks to him the movie night showed American Graffiti up and on the silver screen! Hooray for handy spouses!

Lynne Gartley Meyer

Mike Mikasa

Gaye Miyasaki

Ian Sandison

HIKES

Bruce Ashford

GOLF TOURNA- MENT

Fred Hu

Derek Nakakura

FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY

Alvin Cabrinha

Renee Ahuna Cabrinha

Pauline Chang Chin

Lynette Lo Kanda

John and Carri Morgan

Debbie Nogami Oyama

Signage

Scott Metcalf

Parking Lot

Dave Chin (Pauline’s husband)

Stein Rafto (Haven’s husband)

Check-In

Squeezing dozens of cars into a minimum of space on the Morgan lawn was a challenging task for Haven Young Rafto’s husband, Stein, and Pauline Chang Chin’s husband, Dave. They sacrificed valuable under-the-tent party time to make sure that Friday night attendees were safely and securely parked for the evening.

Stephanie Chin (Pauline’s daughter)

Teri Ting ’71

Nametags

Gigi Dennis Ewing

Mary Jane Markoskie

Scott Metcalf

Yuriko Wellington

Flowers

Bruce Ashford

Lisa Yamaguchi Bowden

Edie Brown

Fred Gartley ‘49 (Lynne’s father)

Lynette Lo Kanda

Kathy Macdonald

Scott Metcalf

Lynne Gartley Meyer

Florence Miyano (Babs’ mother)

Leland Miyano (Babs’ brother)

Lynn Reisert Sultemeier

Catherine Tompkison

Babs Miyano Young’s floral artistry lent an old time Hawaiian feel to the Friday night party. Note the braided palm leaves in this masterpiece. The look reminds you of that Mastercard tag line: “Priceless!”

Yuriko Wellington

George Woolard ‘67

Babs Miyano Young

Ann Yoshida

Memorial Service

Heidi Hemmings Hall

Cathy Kam Ho

Mary Jane Markoskie

Emcees

Ralph Aona

Jay Higgins

Charlie Loomis

David Parker

Music

Jud Haskins

Shoji Ledward

Fred Randolph

Door Prizes and Gifts

Shannon Crowell Atkinson

Lisa Yamaguchi Bowden

Pauline Chang Chin

Fred Hu

Jean Jacobi Longstreth

Warren Loui

Scott Metcalf

Without the tunes you may as well be attending the plenary session of a business conference. Boring! Here, Fred Randolph and Shoji Ledward make sure that conducting business is the furthest thought from the minds of Punahou74.

Gaye Miyasaki

Sheree Lum Orsi

Debbie Nogami Oyama

David Parker

Haven Young Rafto

Lynn Sultemeier

Babs Miyano Young

Yuriko Wellington

Carrie Chang Talwar Support

Lynette Lo Kanda

Doug Young (Babs’ husband)

Yuriko Wellington

Dinner

Pauline Chang Chin

Elmer’s Island Cuisine/Poke Stop

Fred Hu

Lynette Lo Kanda

Dessert

Leslie Ching Allen

Lisa Yamaguchi Bowden

Pauline Chang Chin

Lynette Lo Kanda

Gaye Miyasaki

Faith Sereno Rex

Taren Taguchi

Ann Yoshida

Clean up

Pauline Chang Chin (and family)

Babs Miyano Young’s husband Doug donated a Ka Punahou poster that classmates signed to send “get well” greetings to Carrie Chang Talwar. Lynette Lo Kanda also donated a Punahou74 shirt that will be just in Carrie’s size. Thanks to Yuriko Wellington for agreeing to personally deliver the two gifts to Carrie at her California hospital.

Susan Seto Donlon

Lynette Lo Kanda

Mary Jane Markoskie

Scott Metcalf

Lynne Gartley Meyer

Debbie Nogami Oyama

Haven Young Rafto

Babs Miyano Young

SUNDAY PICNIC

Bruce Ashford

Alan Lau

Scott Metcalf

Gaye Miyasaki

John and Carri Morgan

Haven Young Rafto

PUNAHOU74 MERCHANDISE

Babs Miyano Young

Scott Metcalf

Gigi Dennis Ewing

Tom Farrell speaks from atop a table to remind classmates that the books aren’t closed on the Punahou74 40th reunion gift until June 30, 2014. Their donations are still requested! Linda de Silva Howe and Ann Yoshida listen intently in the background.

Lynne Gartley Meyer

Yuriko Wellington

PUNAHOU74 GIFT

Leslie Ching Allen

Stephen Chinn

Tom Farrell

Paul Goto

Mike Mikasa

Anne Hogan Perry

Alan Rosehill

COMMUNICATIONS

Lynne Gartley Meyer

Linda Sutton Torres

Punahou School

PUNAHOU ALUMNI RELATIONS

Linda Sutton Torres

Note: If I have left anybody off of the above list please let me know and I will update it. I do not intend to forget you!

While it may take many hands to make a great reunion, it takes many minds to make a great reunion even better.

Some of the faces of the 40th reunion of the Punahou School Class of 1974.

Throughout our 40th reunion many classmates told me of how happy they were to be back with their classmates and how much they were enjoying reunion. After months of hard work, the compliments were reassuring and melted the anxiety regarding how the events would pan out. It’s great that everything was so well received.

But, at the back of my mind, I have to wonder, “How can we make our next reunion even better?”

More Punahou74 reunion faces. If you were there you’d know who they are!

Now, I don’t know how the 45th picture taking will ever top what was experienced at our 40th, but there have to be other areas in which changes can be made for the better. But what are they?

As said above, it takes many minds to make a great reunion even better. To that end, I am hoping that you can provide me some feedback regarding your 40th reunion experience while it is still fresh in your mind. Will you do so by taking a moment to click here and answer the ten questions on our Punahou74 Post Reunion Survey? Estimated time to finish? Perhaps ten minutes … and that’s if you have a lot to say. One survey per computer is allowed.

Your comments will be anonymously collected and reported to the 40th reunion committee. Please be candid and free with your insight. What we don’t know can hurt … so let us know.

As the saying goes, “Speak now or forever hold your peace!”

Thanks in advance for you help.

Note: The survey will close on June 30 so get your responses in!

Open now through June 30, 2014. Click here to give your opinion.

Wearing the “wet fish” look on campus usually meant that one of three things had happened at the lily pond: you had lost your balance walking across its long-lost rocky path, slipped in while trying to catch a crayfish, or were the subject of a jolly “Punahou swing” into its depths. (Although these students found different ways to enjoy the lily pond waters.) One thing was for sure, what happened wasn’t because of a sponsored school event. So it was great amusement that I read that one of the available reunion service projects was for a lily pond clean up. At last! A chance to explore the lily pond … and with Punahou’s blessing to boot!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 was a day of service to Punahou. Alumni had the choice of working in the taro patch at Kualoa Ranch, Rocky Hill, and the lily pond. As the spiritual heart of the campus (and with a personal desire to explore its waters) I jumped at the chance to service the lily pond.

As luck would have it, four other Punahou74 classmates shared my desire to assist Punahou in this capacity. In fact, we would form five of the seven person crew that was there to work under the direction of Rollie Higgins ’68.

Punahou74′s wet but wonderful lily pond volunteers included Robert Chung, Yuriko Wellington, Mike Green, Ralph Aona, and Lynne Gartley Meyer.

The gang was divided into two groups: one would clean a drain that led to the pond; one that would wade into the water to remove invasive plants that grew on a pond-side wall.

Yuriko mans the broom while Ralph, in the rear, shows his children how to clean the drain.

Yuriko and Ralph (and two of his children) went to work in the chapel courtyard. Lifting up the grates, they found muck that had run off and accumulated in the drain. Left in place, it would flow into and add choking silt to the pond.

There were also plenty of monkeypod tree flowers ready to join the goo. Sweeping them aside and scooping up the contents, red buckets were quickly filled with the refuse and saved for later deposit in a compost pile.

Meanwhile … back in the pond …

Lynne, Mike, and Robert were wading (thank goodness for the fishing tabis that I had purchased for the Kahoolawe trip) in the warm spring water. We were setting a bullseye on aggressive plants that were growing alongside the space.

Many of these plants were the hydrophyllic papyrus that, in some places, were growing in a mat out into the water. Robert found that there was no way to remove that with a hand scythe! Mike joked of suffering from THS (tall haole syndrome) as he reached for plants high on the rocks. With Mike on the top side, the area was quickly cleared and the work finished. Time for apples, granola bars, and cool water!

Wading to the far side, the assault upon the plants began.

While Rollie Higgins skimmed floating debris from the surface, he remarked, “I feel cool water.” He had found the spring itself. What a wonderful apostrophe for the day.

For more photos of “Service at the Lily Pond” click here.

In a new-to-reunion event, Movie Night was held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. It was a time for lights, camera, and some unexpected action.

And the winner is …

Gathering at the community room of the new Manoa Public Library, nineteen classmates met for the first event of the Punahou74 reunion: Movie Night. We were there to enjoy popcorn, pizza, and a movie. What could be simpler?

The evening started with runoff vote between American Graffiti, Blazing Saddles, and M*A*S*H.  In what would be a twist of fate, American Graffiti was chosen.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, American Graffiti is a coming of age film. It is set in 1962 Modesto, California and features car cruising, plenty of great rock and roll music, and vignettes of teenage adventures during one storied night. Earning more than $200 million since its January 1973 release, it is one of the most profitable films of all time.

Ron Howard and Cindy Williams in American Graffiti.

The twist of fate that occurred lies in the fact that American Graffiti focuses on something that many of us faced immediately upon our graduation: leaving the familiar environs of Punahou School and long-known friends for a new school and new experiences. As Laurie (Cindy Williams) says to Steve (Ron Howard), “You know, it doesn’t make sense to leave home to look for home, to give up a life to find a new life, to say goodbye to friends you love just to find new friends.”

How many of us hesitated, lei stacked upon our shoulders, before boarding the plane and jetting off to locations unknown? How did that work out for you? How appropriate that, after having made those journeys, we watch a move that reminds us of the passage we traversed with the friends we love for our 40th reunion.

I certainly was reminded of the value of friends that night. Going downstairs to find a quiet place to call in the pizza order, I encountered a random man entering the building. I genially told him that the library was closed for a private event but he waved me off. Turning away to pointedly ignore me, he started shuffling magazines laid out for the Friends of the Library sale. He was obviously not leaving.

But my friends had my back.

Before I even had time to despair of the situation, Mike Mikasa, Judo Sensei that he is, appeared out of nowhere and told the man politely, yet firmly, that he had to leave. Standing behind him was Robert Chung, a retired New York City police detective. Sorely outmaneuvered, the man quickly decided that the Manoa street scene looked much better than the situation inside. With the intruder finally departed the door was firmly locked and further distractions avoided.

I was certainly grateful not only for Mike and Robert but for all of the good friends that gathered that evening. Heartfelt thanks are extended to Gaye Miyasaki and Mary Jane Markoskie who provided popcorn, arare, and other good snacks. Kudos also to Ian Sandison and Mike Mikasa for welcoming people to the building. Hugs and kisses to all for the team clean up effort that got the event room tidy and ready to close in a flash. Amazingly, someone even took the trash home to throw it away! Now that’s really watching my back!

A pat on the head goes to my husband, Henry, who provided the technical know-how to get the movie up on the screen and acted as our photographer of record for the picture below. He gave us all a laugh when he couldn’t figure out how to get the camera to work at first. His problem? He was holding it upside down! Smiles all around … and that’s the story of the night.

Punahou74 MovieWatchers: (L-R) Front Row-David Howell, Jud Haskins, Babs Miyano Young, Timmy Chinn, Randy Tucker, Robert Chung, Mike Mikasa; Back Row- Scott Metcalf, Bobby Chinn, Mary Jane Markoskie, Yuriko Wellington, Lynne Gartley Meyer, Edie Brown Vieyra, Gaye Miyasaki, Gigi Dennis Ewing, Bob Aten, David Parker, Sheree Lum Orsi, Ian Sandison

Click here for more Movie Night pictures.

Second in the Found on Friday series. This is when I write about things that I find on the Punahou School campus when I am there on Fridays.

This was an easy one.

After finishing lunch at the cafeteria I was walking towards Cooke Library when I saw a royal poinciana tree ablaze with flowers. It was gorgeous.

Summer is truly in bloom! This must be the year for the Royal Poinciana trees because I have seen many that are outstanding. Take a look at this prime example:

This was found on Friday, 6/27/2014.

Bruce Ashford brought a new idea to the reunion schedule this year: hiking. He wanted to offer classmates various opportunities; including, one during which they would “hike up to the top of a mountain.” That mountain hike started in Kuliouou.

READY FOR THE CLIMB are (L-R) Mike Yokoyama, Bob Aten, Suzanne and Mike Woodward, Steve Taylor, Bruce Ashford, Randy Tucker, Rosanne and Clifford Levine.

Kuliouou Ridge Trail is a 5.5 mile intermediate level path that gains 2,000 feet along the way. Given that we are (ahem) getting up there in age, it was gratifying that nine classmates and spouses took Bruce up on this hiking challenge on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

Bruce reported that the hike was “fun” and that the generally good fitness of all involved made it an invigorating experience. Water was a challenge though as the weather was hot and a 9:40 a.m. start meant that they would hit the peak just after noon at the earliest.

Made it! The view from the end of the trail high atop the Koolaus.

Going up took 2.5 hours and was punctuated by breaks that included a forty minute hiatus for a mountaintop lunch. While up there, the group dined while enjoying a magnificent sweeping view of windward Oahu: from Mokapu to Rabbit Island with a peek over the ridge at Koko Head.

But going down, as always, was hard. With the long break, muscles had cooled and a different set of them was required. Although the trip was an hour shorter, Bruce said that, “We were dragging our feet and hurting.” Hiking was an even greater challenge to Steve who had worn sandals and socks for the effort. Ouch!

Click here for more Kuliouou hike pictures.

If you, like I, are an avid reader of reunion narratives in the Punahou Bulletin you have probably not read much, if anything, about floral decorations. After all, the action is in describing who came, what they had to say, and where they came from. But a Punahou74 reunion is not your typical reunion and its floral decorations not your typical floral decorations.

Haleconia, bird of paradise, and other florals are separated and ready to tie to the tent poles.

While many enjoyed the beauty of a Friday night party at the Morgans’ home, they may not have consciously realized that a large part of the evening’s loveliness was due to the fresh floral decorations that were present in lavish proportions.

With the selection of a private home, the need for floral decorations expanded the typical need for tabletop arrangements and required arrays throughout the party landscape both inside and outside of the facility. Putting such an effort together required hours spent cutting, ordering, sourcing, cleaning, securing, and arranging the blooms. The result was a stunning presentation that enhanced the gracious Hawaiian feel of the historic Morgan manse while enhancing the party atmosphere.

Leading the decoration effort was Babs Miyano Young. Putting her artistic training to superb use, she selected from heliconia, agapanthus, anthurium, orchid, ferns, and dozens of other tropical beauties to good use in designing a floral wonderland.

Two days would be spent working on this labor of true love … and that’s just for the arrangement part. Sourcing the blooms and greens was another matter entirely.

Want to see what was created? Click here and prepare to be wowed.

Just in time for reunion … an online forum to share information as we go along.

Smiles were found all around the room during our 35th reunion.

Have a question about the who, what, or where of reunion?

Want to give a shout out or share your good wishes with others?

Need to catch a ride to get to one of the events?

Given the number of questions that have come out so far and the number of answers that will be required, a forum has been set up for Punahou74 to ask and be answered in a place where all can benefit from the conversation.

Click here to go to the Punahou74 forum, It’s where you can ask your questions and, given the brainpower you will be networked into, receive the answers you need. Once there, click on “General Board” to get started.

So what’s keeping you? Get clicking!

Punahou School offers a yearly Alumni Celebration to which all alumni, regardless of reunion status, are invited to attend. Of course, reunion classes are the stars of the evening and, of course, Punahou74 was well represented.

Connie Williams, Penny Van Niel, and Annabelle Lee at the Thursday event. Connie and Penny both flew in for what would be their very first reunion experience. Annabelle hadn’t been back since our 10th reunion. A hearty “welcome back” ladies!

The Alumni Celebration on June 12 included what one might expect of any Punahou social gathering: great entertainment (featuring the Oahu College Band), plenty of ono food, and ample time to mingle with interesting people. But, beyond the basic social requirements, the evening offered an opportunity to showcase Punahou and Alumni achievements in various fields. And Punahou74 was part of that recognition.

• Babs Miyano Young exhibited her artistic jewelry. One piece was a “fancy eyeglass necklace” that was more jewelry than eyeglass holder and is a fashion accessory that most women would be proud to wear. If you liked her flowers at the Friday night event, you know how good her sense of style is.
• There was also Shannon Brownlee’s book, Overtreated: Why Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer. The book was named the #1 economics book of 2007 by the New York Times (Shannon beat out Alan Greenspan’s memoir so you can see how good her effort was). Overtreated was reviewed as the best description of of “a huge economic problem that we know how to solve–but is so often misunderstood.” The book looks at why one-fifth to a third of our health care dollars are spent on care that does nothing to improve our health. Certainly a tome that has remained timely despite the passage of time.  Sounds like a good read.
• Lynne Gartley Meyer, along with retired Cooke Library Research Librarian Joyce Salmon, prepared the Punahou Archives display on The History of Punahou Graduations (1878-2012). In addition to a graduation timeline, there was an array showing the reunion classes on their graduation stages. Accompanying each picture were fun facts about the class and its graduation experience. I spent some time asking attendees if they could find themselves in their pictures. That brought out a lot of good memories. The Class of 1964 was particularly proud to learn that their boys were the first to wear the blue graduation blazers. The Class of 1979 was reminded of something that they may have wanted to forget: when the setting off of firecrackers caused Punahou to be put on probation at the Blaisdell Center and nearly caused the permanent ban of post-graduation school parties. If you missed it, take a look at our “vital statics” below to learn what was singularly unique about Punahou74′s time in the graduation spotlight. Do you remember what made our graduation special?

But the big moment of the evening was the presentation of the reunion gift checks. Now, I just spent last night signing thank you letters that will be mailed out in the next day or two.  These were addressed to the 145 of you who generously contributed to our reunion gift. I have to thank you all for the writer’s cramp!

There were many in that stack who give year in and year out and are “True Buff ‘n Blue Donors.” I saw these names once again as I signed away and can only marvel at the devotion of these classmates through thick and thin. You are the ones than be counted on and are there for the class, and for Punahou. Thank you.

Tom Farrell showed up in full corporate armor to represent Punahou74 during the gift check presentation.

Of special note was the fact that ten classmates will be receiving their thank you letters for the first time since we graduated. I don’t know whether it was the 3-to-1 match offered by a generous anonymous classmate that caused you to take the plunge but it doesn’t really matter. Thank you so much for becoming a Punahou donor. That you did it in a year when your gift will elevate your class as a whole is even more heartening. Thanks for being a part of the class effort. Thank you for being there for Punahou.

But back to the Thursday event. …

If you haven’t attended one of these celebrations the evening’s highlight is a parade of classes–from the youngest to the oldest–when the check numbers are announced and the classes congratulated.

Since our 35th reunion, when only Fred Hu and Mary Madinger Balding were on the stage, Punahou has seen the wisdom of opening up the “15 seconds of fame” to all attending class members. They’ve also increased the physical size of the “check” giving the presentation a little more of a Publisher’s Clearing House kind of “whoo whoo” feel.

While waiting for our big moment, classmates added their signatures to the check. I laughed when I heard someone comment that she’d “never signed such a big check in her life.” True for me too!

Then it was time to form a line to go on stage. Once again Punahou74 formed a campus crowd. There was plenty of “Hi!” and “Good to see you!” going around while we slowly inched forward and younger classes moved on through.

The big moment had finally arrived. A bright “Punahou Class of 1974″ came over the speaker. The band struck up a rousing beat and our gift total was announced. After the 50th reunion class, we had one of the largest contingents that stepped forward and arranged itself around Trustee Ethan Abbott ’72 for the obligatory picture:

SMILING WITH CLASS PRIDE, Punahou74 presents its reunion check to Punahou School:   (L-R) Linda de Silva Howe, Allison Beckett, Scott Metcalf, Lynne Gartley Meyer, Mike Mikasa, Linda Sutton Torres, Barbara Carter Farrell, Mary Jane Markoskie, Jud Haskins, Connie Williams, Leslie Ching Allen, Ian Sandison, Penny Van Niel, Trustee Ethan Abbott ’72 representing Punahou School, Yuriko Wellington, Anabelle Lee, Mike Hopfe, Tom Farrell, Nancy Dew Metcalf, Kathy Macdonald, Gail Mulholland Ringwalt, Babs Miyano Young, Brayann Bromley, Alan Lau, and Fred Hu. Leslie and Tom hold the check as our Class Gift Representatives.

Of note: When our 35th check photo was taken at the Celebration it showed $70,000+ in the “Pay to the Order of” field. This year’s figure? $186,253. An improvement? In the order of 266%! You bet.

But that’s not the end of the story. By June 30 the reunion gift increased to $215,008. Amazing! Of this amount, $108,000 was pledged towards the Class of 1974 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

What’s notable about this scholarship figure is that, when this all stated back in the fall, our goal was to bring its endowment to $150,000. Well, guess what? With the $52,448 that was already in the fund, we now have $160,448 in the kitty. We made it! That’s 32% of a full tuition scholarship for one needy child. We are well on our way to having that elusive $500,000 full scholarship amount sitting in the Punahou74 fund by the time we celebrate our fiftieth reunion.

Are you tired of me saying “thank you”? Well, get used to it. Thank you for your generosity and thank you for your support of our class scholarship. When you receive your thank you letter from Punahou next week know that what you did represents something special. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Click here to view more pictures of the Alumni Celebration.

A recent Punahou Bulletin article described a new campus Rocky Hill apiary and how the study of bees is being integrated into the K-12 curriculum. Interesting. But Rocky Hill isn’t the only place where bees are abuzz on campus.

The mid-morning look up Punahou Street where the Punahou’s resplendent night blooming cereus hedge graces the road.

Stepping off the #4 bus for my Friday work at Punahou, I was pleased to see that the night-blooming cereus were doing what they do best: putting on a show at Punahou. Despite the lateness of the hour (it was nearing 10 a.m.) and the flowers impending closure after their night’s furious display, I decided to stroll up Punahou Street to take a look at the beauty that remained.

Although it was not one of the “choke” blooms that are the stuff of legend, each and every blossom was wonderful in its own right. And one of the things that was great about seeing them in the morning is the different nature of the experience.

While full and ethereal in the evening, the cereus are a magnet in the morning for bees. There the workers are, flying from flower to flower, searching for a way into the rapidly closing blooms and ready to swallow themselves into a glowing pearlescent world. Once inside they clamber among the stamens to powder themselves with the pollen within.

Given the busyness of the scene, I have to wonder what kind of honey they might be making. If the flowers were in more constant supply that honey might be a delectable treat that we humans would savor as much as the bees savor the flowers of the morning.

Take a look at these industrious insects in the slide show below. Each photo includes at least one worker bee hard at work. Can you find her?

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower.
~ Isaac Watts, Against Idleness

For those who think that a game of golf is a good walk wasted should blame the Scots who claim to have invented the sport. When the adventurous Scottish emigrants set out into the world in search of fortune, there is a good possibility that besides the kilts and the bagpipes, there were sets of golf clubs among their luggage. (Pratt, Alexander. “How the Scots Brought Golf to the Islands.” The Story of Scots in Hawaii. Honolulu: The Caledonian Society of Hawaii (2000): p. 237.) Look at how these Punahou74 “Scots” fared on the 40th reunion links.

Ann McMartin, Leighton McLam, and Maile Mobberly McWilliams are all smiles at the Punahou74 Reunion Golf Tournament.

Built in 1898, the Moanalua Golf Course was the first golf course built in Hawaii. Designed by Samuel Mills Damon’s gardener, Donald Macintyre, the course was laid out on the Damon estate and used the valley’s slopes and stream to create natural hazards. Originally designed with 18 holes, the course was shortened in 1901 by Samuel’s son, Edward, who thought that nine holes were sufficient in Hawaii’s tropical climate.

It was to this course that twelve members of the Punahou School Class of 1974 traveled on Friday, June 13, 2014 to enjoy a day on the links. Perhaps they were following P.G. Wodehouse’s advice: “To find a man’s true character, play golf with him.”

A definitely male contingent of the Punahou74 golf team.: Mike McKam, Derek McNakakura, Fred McHu, Mark McYamane, and Alton McKomori.

Unlike the 35th reunion tournament, there were some gals with the guys at this tournament. Perhaps they were answering Fred McHu’s plaintive report in the 35th blog post where he wrote: “We really missed all of the women golfers in the class. How about it?” Thanks to Maile Mobberly McWilliams, Ann McMartin, and Leslie Slaughter McMagno for answering Fred’s call.

Derek McNakakura describes the day’s events:

We started off with twelve golfers but finished with only six die hard golfers.  The others thought the pace of play was taking too long and wanted to make sure they would have enough time to clean-up for the gathering that evening so they left.

After the game was pau six of us ordered pupus and drinks. We spent some time chit chatting and catching up with each our lives. Prizes were awarded to those who finished. I don’t think that anyone played exceptionally well but that wasn’t the point of the day. We all scored when it came to having “Good Fun.”

I guess the moral of the story was immortalized by Jack Benny who said, “Give me the fresh air, a beautiful partner, and a nice round of golf, and you can keep the fresh air and the round of golf.” Here’s to the beautiful partners of the Punahou Class of 1974 who played in the Reunion Golf Tournament.

Click here to see additional pictures of the event.

Thanks to Derek McNakakura and Fred McHu for organizing the event. (Seriously, nobody has a “Mc” in front of their name. That’s just for fun! There are only five in the class who bore the “Mc” or “Mac” on their surname. Do you know them? McCandless, McGrath, McKinney, McKillop, and Macdonald, of course!)

Following the 40th reunion Friday night party Scott Metcalf agreed to give me a lift home. We had both helped clean up after the event and days of reunion preparations and play had tired us.  The hour was late and the night dark as his car slowly proceeded up the long winding road. We conversed lightly until, just before my home, Scott interjected, “Now your house is around here, right?” I laughed and responded, “How would you know that? You’ve never been to my house!” “I picked up the flowers from your garage yesterday.” Oh, yes. I now remembered. Scott had come to get the flowers that I couldn’t fit into my car. Another driver could not find my home and Scott had readily taken up the gauntlet to make the flower run. Problem solved. But I shouldn’t have been surprised. That was how Scott was. Ready to be there when needed and so unready to call attention to himself.

SCOTT’S KINDERGARTEN DAYS IN MISS LINTON’S CLASS. (L-R) Miss Linton, Jackie Ching, Ann Yoshida, Neal Ane, Marie Mookini, and SCOTT METCALF wearing (gasp!) actual closed toe shoes and a baseball jacket! (1962 Na Opio photo)

It was with a ponderous heart that I learned of Scott’s passing this morning. Not the text message that you want to see glaring at you when you turn on your phone for the day. Who would have ever expected such unwelcome and frankly shocking news?

Scott was a true son of Punahou and would be described by many as “bleeding buff ‘n blue.” Born September 28, 1955, he grew up on the Punahou campus at 1 Slade Drive, the youngest of four children. He was the son of the beloved “Tiger Tom”: a Punahou teacher and one of the initial 1957 cohort of class deans. (Tom retired in 1990 after 40 years of service.)

As a “campus brat,” the campus was Scott’s playground and he shared it with Punahou74 classmates who included Mike Woodward, Doug Knowlton, and Ann Mesrobian. At our 40th reunion he and Mike were videotaped sharing their memories of playing in the Winne Units. I heard they had plenty of good stories to tell!

Scott entered Punahou74 in the fall of 1961, an original member of the 13-year club. He grew up alongside us as we progressed from crayons to college. He was with us riding horses at Camp Timberline, cheering at Honolulu Stadium football games, and sang with us for our families while we stood on the Honolulu International Center graduation stage.

SCOTT METCALF AT THE 40TH PUNAHOU74 REUNION PICNIC, June 15, 2014. (David Howell picture)

After attending the University of Oregon and spending some time working on the mainland Scott returned to Hawaii.

Punahou was a beacon to him. A regular campus fixture, he could be seen at athletic and other events. He would be on campus for hours opening up buildings, turning on lights, and just making sure that things were running right. No job was too small. No job unimportant. Following a long voluntary service, he was hired and eventually became a Facilities Manager for the school. Scott retired from Punahou in 2013.

Scott’s Punahou service extended beyond his paid obligations. Of note was his service to the Punahou Alumni Association (PAA). He was both as a board member (1994-2003) and the organization’s president (2001-2002). I was fortunate to overlap my PAA service with Scott’s and remember his enthusiastic ordering of grey t-shirts featuring an U. S. flag atop a blue “PUNAHOU.” This was just after the September 11 attacks. He had ordered so many of the shirts that they became a running joke during our monthly meetings as we slowly sold off the inventory. Scott graciously took the humor in stride and carried on. In 2011 the PAA awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for “his contributions to Punahou in coordinating and facilitating Punahou sporting events and reaching out and involving our alumni on campus.”

SCOTT METCALF PLAYING SOCCER for the Buff ‘n Blue. (1974 Oahuan photo)

Scott was also a director for the Punahou O-Men. He earned membership in this revered alumni organization by virtue of his skills in volleyball and soccer–sports that he also played at the varsity level at the University of Oregon. In his oral history, Tom Metcalf described his son’s Punahou athletic journey:

He started off in swimming and then decided that he would rather branch out on his own. He tried out for the volleyball team and was cut then said, “Okay, I’ll be the manager.” He worked his way back on to the team with Chris McLachlin and also became very big in soccer. He was captain of the soccer team his senior year under Ralph Martinson.

The 2013 Holoku pageant was dedicated to Scott in gratitude for his outstanding service, dedication, and sacrifices rendered throughout the years.

Scott was married to Punahou74 classmate Nancy Dew and is the father of two daughters, both Punahou School graduates.

If you have memories or other thoughts that you would like to share regarding Scott for a future Punahou74 memorial post please let me know. I am sure that many would like to remember him along with you.

Additional information regarding services will be posted as it becomes available.

Here it is. Scheduled for Punahou, natch.

Services in memory of Scott Metcalf, member of the Punahou School class of 1974 have been scheduled for:

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Hemmeter Fieldhouse

Visitation

2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Service

4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Reception to follow the service at Dole Cafeteria

This is a buff ‘n blue affair so please dress accordingly.

The funeral is expected to be heavily attended. Please plan to car pool and arrive early.

There is major road construction currently going on at Punahou School. Know what’s effected before you go to avoid problems when attending this Sunday’s service  for Scott Metcalf.

Piper’s Pali has been closed between the Flanders Dance Pavilion and Vancouver Drive. This closure has blocked through traffic from the upper campus gate on Punahou Street to the lower campus gate on Wilder.

Because of this closure there is limited parking on the upper campus.

Suggestion: Enter through the main gate (Punahou and Wilder) or through the Wilder entrance on Piper’s Pali. Guards will direct you to the closest available parking spot.

Did I confuse you? A picture is worth a thousand words they say and here’s one that might help you get the message:

Please carpool and arrive early to avoid congestion.