A Gathering to Remember

A small and spirited group of classmates gathered on Saturday, August 29th at the home of Margaret and Doug Peeples. Margaret is the sister of Lisa Porter Kleissner, who was visiting from her home in California. We were treated to a beautiful view of Kaneohe Bay, a clear night and the wonderful company of friends and classmates. Classmates who attended: Peter & Terry Gonsalves, Rodney Bayne, Dan Kalili, Debbie Lau Okamura, Duane Chun, Richard Holloway, Victor Punua, Roland Chang, Lew Biven, Lisa Porter Kleissner, Joey Akeo Miyashiro, BJ Tang, Milton Burgess, Joe Doughty, Sue Peterson, John Leong, Alika Atay, Leonard Batungbacal and Benny Medina.

Joe Doughty was one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. He's at the tail end of his career as a policeman and is looking forward to his retirement.

The "Three Amigos" (Richard Holloway, Vic Punua and Duane Chun) pose for a picture at the end of the evening. Victor led the group in several choral tunes including "Imua Kamehameha" and a weak attempt by the guys at "Pehea Hoi Au"

Milton Burgess, Duane & Bette Chun, Roland Chang and Richard Holloway belt out the school song at the end of the evening. You can see Alika Atay and John Leong in the darkened background on the left.

Lisa does an impromptu hula with a little coaching from Debbie Lau Okamura. We had some great Hawaiian music by Harry Koizumi, a renown music teacher from Kailua.

Leonard Batungbacal and Bernard Peterson (Sue's husband) chat about the ono kaukau at the party. Leonard brought a full tray of hot kalua pig that was an instant hit.

Victor took the mic for a song with great back up guitar by Roland Chang. The "hana hou!" shouts were so loud that Vic had no choice but return to the stage.

During the "disco set", Sue Peterson, BJ Tang and Joey Miyashiro proved that they still got the "groove on" when they simultaneously decided to "bust a move."

Someone we haven't seen for a while, Richard Holloway made the party with the help of Victor. Rich has had some health challenges for some time, but feels fortunate to "still be here."

Though Duane has never been in a kayak before, he had such a blast that he dragged his wife Bette, out into the bay on the two-man kayak. Pumped up by the experience, people were talking "Duane Would Go" t-shirts by the next reunion.

Give a knife to Lisa and watch out! We had a few laughs before the cake-cutting while Alika's son Matai, is totally hypnotized by the butter frosting!

John Leong, Sue Peterson and Bette Chun get ready for a piece of the custom cakes Lisa ordered for the birthday party. John also made a tray of his famous lemon squares.

John and Marian Leong took a nice cruise on Kaneohe Bay on one of several kayaks, one man outrigger canoes and standup paddleboards that Margaret and Doug Peeples assembled for our group.

Dan and Rose Kalili joined the festivities last night. Dan is retired from the Navy but serves as the office manager for our classmate, State Representative Hermina Morita of Kauai.


Alika Atay and family were in town over the weekend to attend the class party and a special memorial service for George Young on Sunday, the 30th. Alika is pictured here with son, Matai.

The highlight of the evening was a sunset cruise on Margaret and Doug's boat. Captain Doug circled Coconut Island and Kaneohe Bay sandbar with a group of classmates and their families. While boarding the boat, those who opted to stay on shore and party, broke out with a spontaneous chorus of "Gilligan's Island."

The party was such a hit for those who attended, we're talking about making it an annual event at the end of every summer.