Apologies in advance if you have received this in error, if so, please inform me to be removed from the list
If you don't recognize some of the names of classmates below...
well, that's what yearbooks and reunions are for :
http://www.pbase.com/halinhi/khs60lv02
( KHS '60 & '61 reunion pics )
Please pass this email on to other classmates.
I'd like to keep this going, adding their responses to this list or one of yours...
as a reminder that hopefully for all of us, we have many years ahead to reunite again.
Mahalo,
Hal Oshiro
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Below are a few of the classmates believed to have been receiving the email 'memories'...
either directly or through one of the classmates listed below.
Apologies to those inadvertently mis-named, misspelled or unlisted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvin HIrokane,Alvin Kajioka,Alvin Kotake,Alvin Shimokawa,Amy Higashi,Amy Morioka,Amy Murakami,
Amy Nakashima,Andra Dean,Andrew Nakano,Ann Miyamoto,Ardel Honda,Arlene Yamagata,Arline Hirahara
Barbara Baptist,Bessie Shimabukuro,Betty Ing,Beverly Davis,Brenda Ignacio
Calvin Ishizaki,Calvin Kang,Carl Yasuda,Carol Hamasaki,Carole Kunishige,Carole Masuda,Caroline Andrade,
Carolyn Amoy,Carolyn Chock,Charlene Mau,Chester Otani,Chester Toma,Clarence Fung,Clarence Shibuya,
Clifford Ching,Clifford Young,Clifton Yoshida,Clinton Chung
Dave Sato,Dennis Sakaguchi,Dennis Shibuya,Dolly Afalava,Donald Hiramoto,Douglas Abe.Duane Aguiar
Edward Inea,Edwin Matsui,Edwina Ahn,Elsie Awa,Elsie Oshiro,Elsie Tanaka,Elwood Lim
Frances Mise,Frances Takasaki,Francine Song,Francisco Tambunting,Frieda Taniguchi
Gary Tsukamoto,George Takamiya,Geraldine Barcenas
Irene Rocha
Jane Mock,Jean Nakamura,June Yanazawa
Karen Fukuji,Karen Iha,Karen Morisawa,Kathryn Mabe,Kenneth Ginoza,Kenneth Morimoto,Kenneth Taira,
Kenneth Yoshioka
Lance Ishihiro,Lillian Tarumoto,Lorene Watanabe,Louise Lung,Lynne Zane
Madge Stibbard,Mae Nakanishi,Manuel Mattos,Marian Tarumoto,Marjorie Mau,Martin Buell,Matilda Muraoka,
Michael Tang,Michael Yamaguchi,Muriel Masumura
Naomi Kuramoto,Norman Ginoza
Pamela Machida,Patricia Kiyabu,Patricia Yamaguchi,Paul Kimura,Pearl Chun,Pearl Shimooka,Phyliss Tanabe
Ralph Yamasaki,Raynor Tsuneyoshi,Rebecca Paresa,Richard Shinn, Richard Shintaku, Richard Yawata,
Rick Nakamura,Robert Gore, Robert Moriyama,Robert Nukushina,Robert Yoshimura,Roger Kobayashi,Ronald Higa,
Rosemary DeJesus,Roy Morihara, Roy Okano,Roy Takamatsu,Ruth Kinoshita
Samuel Pang,Sandra Ishimoto,Sanford Murata,Seda Deguchi,Sharon LaTraille,Sheila Espindola,Shirley Tamashiro,
Stanley Miura,Stella Okamoto
Thomas Okuhara,Thomas Takushi,Thomas Yamada,Timothy Choy,Tony Ballesteros,Tremaine Lui
Velma Kekipi,Vernon Wong,Violet Chung-Hoon,Virginia Kakazu,Vivian Hirahara
Wade Morikone,Wayne Kanai,Wayne Yamasaki
Xavier Ching,Xavier Ikei
Yolinda Agaria,Yvonne Tachino
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November 2011 POSTS - posts, starting with March 2009, are archived in:
http://www.pbase.com/halinhi/memblogs
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December 31, 2011 More holiday greetings, memories and happenings from classmates below.
Year (in the blog) In Review.
So much happening in 2011... in Hawaii and throughout the world... but will highlight below
just a very few of the many people and happenings that have made this blog possible this year.
First of course, in remembrance of the ones we know we've lost this year:
Verna Chang Martin, Kingsley Sur, Nicholas Perez
Some of the happenings that held our attention on the blog:
Japan tsunami, Osama Bin Laden death
Some of the classmates who have reconnected with us after all these years:
Douglas Yoshimura, Edwina Ahn, Chester Toma
Some of the classmates we keep in touch with though they may not be able to attend reunions:
Sandra Ishimoto Yamada, Douglas Yoshimura
Some of the many different get-togethers and luncheons:
Pamela Machida Halford Tsukiji get-together
Luncheons with Sandy Ishimoto Yamada
Jack Digmon's 70th luncheon
Mini-luncheon with Robert Nukushina
So many more get-togethers that I've heard about
The Brenda Ignacio & Robert Gore story
The WIS '57 tea house reunion banquet
The KHS '60 reunion survey... ...
And so much and many more that I've missed listing as we close this year.
Looking forward to a great new year and the reunions.
Best wishes to all.
Hal
----- Original Message -----
From: Gerri Barcenas Digmon
To: hal
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: 12/29/11
Harold my dear, you are not only the best but par excellence in keeping this wonderful
communique going for our great bunch of KHS 60' classmates and being patient with us.
Mahalo nui nui.
Mahalo for the pictures of Jack's impromptu surprise 70th birthday lunch.
Jack had been "under the weather" so there was no advance planning.
However, Jack perked up considerably and so the rush was on and we thank all those who could
make it on short notice and those who could not.
Jack loved the surprise especially seeing dear old friends.
AND ROGER I do think your eyes are deceiving you, everyone looked fit and young like in their
50's and no one even talked about age that is now irrelevant at this point of our lives(LOL).
But we did miss you and your wife nonetheless big time kudos are in order for your running the marathon which is a fantastic accomplishment for our class of 60's KHS.
Also missed Manny Mattos who we hope had a successful crafts fair sale with his fine Hawaiian creations at the NBC.
The Gores looked fabulous after their South Pacific cruise.
Carol Gouveia, lovely as ever.
Brenda Kanae's flower arrangements and decor were awesome as usual, had great fun jogging the unused gray matter of our classmates about our 50's goings on memories.
Chesta Otani, Marjorie Morimoto, Mike & Aileen Tang, Carl Yasuda, Ralph Yamasaki, Walter &
Lucille Masuko, Grand Master Harold Oshiro etc.
Bing, yes, I do remember the garaans barbarans, don't hear it much though but I do use it on
Jack at times, brings back such good memories.
What else do you remember about our fun generation lingo? I love it!
Hope to visit Doug Savage soon, what an amazing human being, so full of love and an inspiration
for all, I am overwhelmed with this unbelievable bedridden gentleman's sunny outlook on life
who just makes one love life so much, makes you reset one's priorities and appreciate the daily blessings of our family and friends.
Friends, we must try to get together often for "talk story"times for coffee, drinks, breakfast, lunch, pupus, dinner whatever, we always have a great time when we do.
So just give the word and we can take it from there.
Keep well dear classmates and friends, Jack and I wish you and yours a blessed Christmas Season
and an awesome New Year filled with happiness, love, excellent health and prosperity.
Remember it is the fabulous Chinese Year of the Dragon so make the best of it and as I always say
"The Best Is Yet To Come".
Our fondest Aloha, Gerri and Jack Digmon
----- Original Message -----
From: June Kobayashi
To: Hal
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 1:30 PM
Subject: RE: 12/29/11
I must be getting old and forgetful but I really don’t remember "Garans Ball-barans"!
Searched the far recesses of my mind but it doesn’t even sound familiar.
But then, I have so much stored in there, it’s getting harder and harder to retrieve stuff!
I do remember New Years Eve in Hawaii.
Starting at around 10 minutes before midnight, the fire crackers started exploding and by the
time midnight rolled around, the sound was so deafening that you could not hear the person right
next to you speaking (or trying to scream Happy New Year into your ear!)
The next morning the streets would be littered with red paper and the air filled with the lingering smell of the fire crackers.
I haven’t been in Hawaii for New Years for 45 years so I don’t know if it’s still that way or not.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2012!
June Yanazawa Kobayashi
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Gore
To: Hal
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: 12/29/11
Brenda and I are flying to Manila tomorrow to visit Sonny Tambunting and Brenda will dance Hula
at a new Unity Church there.
Sonny wants malasadas!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Brenda Ignacio
To: hal
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 7:37 AM
Subject: Re: 12/29/11
Hau'oli La Hanau, dear classmates!
Garans bal-barans is still used by me and my family. Ha!
It was a classic phrase for us, the fortunate ones who lived in innocent sweet times where there were gentle songs and sayings to express ourselves, huh?
Jack's 70th was fun, although it was almost a "roast."
He sure got kidded about stuff, but all in good fun.
Gerri was funny, when each trivia contest winner was asked "do you golf?"
Whether the answer was "yes" or "no" they got golf tees.
Our table had a lot of fun, thanks to the rascals sitting there. You know who you are!
Robert and I are leaving tomorrow for Manila, and we will be staying with Sonny Tambunting and family.
I am dancing "The Lord's Prayer" for the start of a new spiritual home that his cousin Florence is starting.
Sure sounds like we will have fun.
They ask for pure Kona coffee, Emergen-C and Mixed Malassadas!
Sounds like health to me.
Malassadas make good door stops or grenades after a few hours, so we'll see.
Sonny is turning 70 in April, 2013, so he may just be the winner of our youngest baby contest.
I asked him twice, as it was hard to believe, but he reconfirmed that he was born in April, 1943.
Thank each and every classmate who has sent good wishes to Robert and me.
(He was never called "Bob" and although he doesn't mind, he will always be my "Robert."
It reflects his elegant spirit to me. ;-)
Many have said it would make a good movie, and we give thanks every day for the blessings.
Maybe our dads, who are on the other side, got together, had some of Manny's relatives' okolehao and decided to move us in the right direction that should/could have been.
Speaking of Manny, just because I was so busy and couldn't get a White House clearance for his gift weapon,
I arranged for a personal meeting with Obama's sister Maya at our wedding reception for him, and he
RSVP'd, and I had it all set, and guess what? He and his missus were no shows. Ouch and auwe.
So, Manny, I went try, eh?!
Love to all.
Will report when we return from Manila and our illustrious classmate Jesus Francisco Tambunting!
Brenda and Robert
December 29, 2011
Well... the end of this year is nearly upon us... good and bad, it was quite an eventful one.
Hope all of you have a mainly pleasant memory of 2011 and look forward to a great 2012.
More classmate holiday greetings below.
Garans Ball-Barans I still remember that, Bing... but I don't recall having heard it beyond the 1st or maybe 2nd generation after us... amazingly though, googling brings up hundreds of references.
As you can see Pam, you're not the last, by far, to reach 69... knew that about you Lynne (you're the one I had in mind in that post), but never knew that about Arlene... though she's someone I've
known, along with Elsie Awa, since small kid time... yep Bing, the good ol' hanabatta days.
Thanks Amy, best wishes to you too... I'm just the messenger Clarence, not necessary to praise me... or shoot me... you all are what make this 'blog' what it is.
Hal
----- Original Message -----
From: Bradshaw, (Betty Ing) Bing
To: Hal
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 12:48 PM
Subject: RE: 12/24/11
Happy New Year to you all.
The new year makes me remember how things change and stay the same.
Speaking of which, do any of you remember the pidgin phrase "garans ban-barans"?
Do your kids and grandkids still use this phrase?
Bing Bradshaw
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy Nakashima Kashiwai
To: undisclosed recipients:
Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2011 11:30 AM
Subject:
MERRY CHRISTMAS …AND WISHES FOR ALL GOOD THINGS IN THE COMING YEAR!!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: pamela halford
To: harold oshiro
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 5:56 PM
Subject: RE: 12/24/11
Hi Hal and classmates,
Since someone turned 69 on Christmas Day, I'm not the last!!!
I just turned 69 on the 23rd - relaxing in the pool in Spring Hill, Florida with margaritas and burgers!!
We are so fortunate to have grown up in the best years ever!!
We have so many wonderful memories that no one can take away from us!!
Wishing all of you all the best in 2012.
Will be in Honolulu Jan. 9 - Feb. 11.
Plan to visit Doug-Savage.
Hope to see y'all too!!
Love, Pam Machida Halford
----- Original Message -----
From: Clarence Fung
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 4:28 PM
Subject: To Classmates Near and Far on Christmas Eve
Christmas Greetings and may you and yours be warm, hopeful, joyful and filled with peace and love as we celebrate the Christ's birth.
In the year of the Dragon (January 23), may you and yours prosper, be full of luck, gain great wealth, have happiness and extra longevity.
Thank you Hal for running the class blog and bringing us the latest news of goings and comings of our diverse class; you da Best!
God Bless and Love,
Clarence and Suellen
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynne Zane Sugiyama
To: Harold Oshiro
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 6:38 AM
Subject: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!
Hi Hal,
Again Mahalo, Kudos & Arigato for keeping all of us (Class of '60) bulldogs always informed & together.
Much appreciated.
Because of your posting, I was able to have a really nice long visit with Doug "Savage" Yoshimura in Sept.
He is so amazing.
And Congrats to Brenda & Bob!
I always tell my friends about their "romantic story" and get comments how it should be a great movie!
After nearly 30 yrs. one of my dear friends, Elsie Awa Tokunaga got together.
So nice to be reconnected and feel like time never past between us.
Not sure if anyone replied back to you re: the youngest person in our class -- now that Jack is the first (?) to reach the milestone of 70.
If I remember correctly the youngest was between Arlene Yamagata and myself, with both of us having
birthdays in the last part of January 1943.
So we won't be 70 till 2013.
Guess you could say we're still babies! :-)
Here's wishing you & your family the Best of Health & Happiness in 2013.
Have a Good Day!
Lynne
December 24, 2011
More holiday greetings from classmates below.
Roger... for the recognition-challenged / ID-impaired... names are now in place.
However you say it... or think it should be said... best wishes for this special time of year. Feliz Natal,
Feliz Navidad,
Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun,
Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan,
Joyeux Noel,
Fröhliche Weihnachten,
Nollaig Shona Dhuit,
Chuc Mung Giang Sinh,
Maligayamg Pasko, Buone Feste Natalizie,
Kurisumasu Omedeto,
Sung Tan Chuk Ha,
Souksan wan Christmas,
Ia Manuia Le Kilisimasi,
Buon Natale,
Ia ora i te Noere,
Xristos Khuwdziti
Mele Kalikimaka,
Merry Christmas
Hal
----- Original Message -----
From: Carol Chock Tom
To: Hal
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 11:52 PM
Subject: Mele Kalikimaka!
Just want to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas season and a new year full of peace,
love and special joyous moments.
There is so much to look back upon, and to look forward to.
Can you believe that we will all be 70 years young by the end of 2012?!!!
Congratulations to Jack for probably being the first to hit this milestone!
That same day I was celebrating with my sister at her 80th birthday party... hard to believe!
I am grateful for all that I have been blessed with and trust that all of you feel the same.
Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Carol
----- Original Message -----
From: Pearl Mori
To: Hal
Cc: Muriel Masumura ; Chester Otani
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: Nick Perez
Yes, this is our Nick Perez.
So sad and before the holidays.
BTW Hal, Please wish everyone on our blog list, A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
MAY 2012 BE A HEALTHY AND WEALTHY ONE.
PEARL MORI
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Kobayashi
To: Hal
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: 12/19/11
Harold:
Don't recognize some of the faces.
Is there any chance of adding names to the photos taken at OLD Jack's birthday shindig?
Roger
----- Original Message -----
From: irene
To: hal
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 7:20 AM
As 2011 comes to a close, I hope we can all look back on a year filled with wonderful memories.
My wish for all of you in 2012 is peace, good health, and happiness.
Wishing you and those you love Mele Kalikimaka a me Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
And, a special mahalo to Hal for his dedication to our blog.
Warmest Aloha Pumehana
Irene Rocha Elson
----- Original Message -----
From: Raynor Tsuneyoshi
To: Hal
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 5:31 AM
Subject: Re: 12/19/11 - W-Misc
Aloha Hal,
Mahalo Nui for your keeping this site going.
You are the "glue" keeping everyone conected and it is most appreciated.
It has been an event filled year for our family .
I had over 20 trips to 17 cities including the trip to Honolulu and the precious opportunity to see classmates many of whom I had not seen since 1960.
Just got back from a 4 day conference in Chicago where there is a serious attempt to save recreational boating as forecasters are predicting only half the number of boats on the water within the next decade.
I'll be cranking up my smoker to do the Christmas Turkey (Broke Da mout' kine)
Wishing all my classmates and their families and friends Mele Kalikimaka me ka Huoli Makahik Hou!
Or from my wife's side, "Ein Frohes Weihnachts Fest und Ein Guetes Neue Jahre!"
Ray & Frauke Tsuneyoshi
December 19, 2011
More holiday greetings and best wishes, from Sheila, Arline and Louise (pictures, etc omitted). Still time for a few more posts with your greetings and best wishes for the holidays.
Back from their S. Pacific honeymoon cruise and. understandably, looking radiant and happy as a couple, Bob and Brenda... I guess we can now call them the Gores. Walked into a gathering that was taking place in Kapahulu and had some more paparazzi moments.
http://www.pbase.com/halinhi/jack70
Which brought up the question (thanks Chester)... how many among the classmates have already celebrated their 70th birthday and who was first/oldest... on the other hand, who will be the last/youngest... I know that one of us will be 69 this Christmas Day and another won't be 69 until early next year.
Hal
----- Original Message -----
From: Sheila Fernandez
To: hal
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: 12/13/11
Mele Kalikimaka and Hou'oli Makahiki Hou,
To all of classmates, hope all your dreams come true in 2012.
As Carol Gouveia said, time had not passed when we all got together with laughter, conversation and yes singing at Brenda and Robert wedding.
It was wild and lots of fun.
Just like the old days, took this wedding to bring us together again.
Such sweet memories.
Hey Brenda and Bob, if I may call you that, had fun? would love to get together to hear and see about your trip.
(Not all the parts)
Manny and Rosaland, looking good and always up to something to get your picture in the paper, the story was good.
My love and aloha to all of you.
Sheila Espindola Fernandez
----- Original Message -----
From: Arline Gokan
To: Hal
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: Nick Perez, Jr.
Seasons Greetings Hal and all other Bulldogs;
Yes, Gerri & Jack, just saw the obit about Nick and was struck with a bit of sadness.
Remember him being so smart & that he slept in class, but passed the different classes with high grades.
He was soooo cool and had such a great smile; a bit of kolohe.
To Bob & Brenda: Congratulations...Been a long time coming.
Enjoy your togetherness and treasure every moment.
Make up for lost time. (What a fairytale come true)
Manny: My husband saw the article first and said: "Eh, dis your classmate Mattos, heh?"
So to say the least, we had to read that most interesting article and was soooooo jealous that you got that "aged' okolehao.
Just imagine what you could do if you could come up with the wondrous recipe.
Time just flies and this year just seemed to zoom by.
However, it brought rekindling of friendships and renewing acquaintances of classmates that we didn't interact with so much when we were in school.
Hal.......THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE and it has provided so much information and interesting facts
about our fellow Bulldogs..........
To all...Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou!!!!!!!
Please be safe so that we can all get together in 2012.
Arline Hirahara Gokan
----- Original Message -----
From: Louise Lung Iwamoto
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 10:46 AM
Subject: Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year To You
From Ray and Louise
December 13, 2011
Holiday greetings from Gerri, Roy, Chester, Carol and Manny below (pictures, etc omitted for brevity).
I'm sure all the rest of us you have the same best wishes and will pass them on in this email blog. Yes Gerri, I did see that and meant to bring it up when I spoke to you the other day.
A sad note, from the Star-Advertiser obits :
' Dec. 4, 2011 Nicholas Perez Jr., 69, of Waianae, an electronics technician, died in Waianae.
He was born in Kohala, Hawaii.
He is survived by wife Be Thi; sons John H. and Bernie D.; daughter Carla M.; brothers Pee Wee and Homer; sisters Lani Dolera, Momi Kahue and Alvina Garcia; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services pending.'
I also remember Nick as a friendly and nice guy... always with a quick howzit and smile in high school.
Hal
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gerri Barcenas Digmon
Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Subject: Classmate Nicholas Perez
To: hal
Harold, you probably have seen the obit on our classmate Nicholas Perez passing on Dec.4, very sad that another of our classmate is gone, our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends in this great loss.
I knew Nicky well in school, his family lived in Palolo, quiet soft spoken gentleman.
Christmas and New Year Blessings dear friends and their families.
Gerri and Jack Digmon
----- Original Message -----
From: Roy Okano
To: undisclosed recipients:
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 5:50 PM
Subject: Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Let this be a time for relaxation and reflection.
May the new year bring new joy and happiness.
Roy
----- Original Message -----
From: Chester Otani
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 4:19 PM
Subject: Mele Kalikimaka
Mele Kalikimaka
----- Original Message -----
From: Carol Gouveia
To: Hal
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: 12/5/11
Aloha Kakou!
My best regards to Manny and Rosalind, very interesting story!
I opened the Sunday StarAdvertiser and said "hey, that's Manny, what's he up to now; hey, and Rosalind too".
Hope I can keep as busy as Manny when I retire.
Bobbie, Sheila, Beverly and Gerri: enjoyed time spent with you on 11/11/11.
Also, Hal...sparked you on the run!
Quite trippy, 50 years have gone by but when together we are able to seemingly pick up where we left off after graduation with our friendships and conversations.
Got to love it!
Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and a New Year that brings you happiness, prosperity, lots of love, and most importantly, good health!
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana,
Carol Andrade Gouveia
----- Original Message -----
From: manuel mattos jr
To: hal
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 10:27 AM
Subject: RE: 12/5/11
Aloha to all my fellow classmates, I hope all of you are in good health.
I guess the word is out, I married the grandaughter of an okolehao maker.
Well that's life.
Hal you would make a good detective, noticing my gallon jug is only 1/2/ full.
The true story is that okolehao is so precious and rare, J.P. only gave us that 1/2 gal.
The full one is his.
After that picture was taken, i was going to run away with that full gallon jug but J.P. had me tied to that bench before taking the picture.
That Okolehao is over 85yrs old.
We won't drink it but will keep it in the family.
To Brenda and Bob, wish both of you grow old together.
I hope all of you like the story.
I hope all of you have a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Love and Kisses, Manny and Family
December 5, 2011
The article in the link below appeared in Sunday's StarAdvertiser... featured Manny and Roz Mattos. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/20111204_Spirit__of_Moanalua.html
A log-in is required to view the full article... for those unable to do so, below is a short introductory excerpt from that article to at least give an idea of it's content.
'Beneath the spreading green canopies of Moanalua Gardens, J.P. Damon and Manny and Rosalind Mattos
are cradling 1-gallon glass jugs that contain a sloshing brown fluid.
The stuff within is precious and rare. It's okolehao, the alcoholic beverage unique to Hawaii.
And not just any okolehao.
This okolehao is high-grade stuff, a cognac-level whiskey that has survived because, basically, it's too good
to drink. Like much of the mythology about okolehao, how and why it was created is a mystery, and how and why Damon and the Mattoses joined forces is something of a magical coincidence as well. "This okolehao made by Roy Bradley is a world-class whiskey," said Damon, whose family is tightly connected to the Moanalua area.
"I became interested in it from stories I'd heard over the years, and when we inherited one of our older houses, it had some bottles carefully stashed in it.
The man who created it was this fellow Roy Bradley, right here in Moanalua."
A couple of years ago, Damon met the Mattoses at the Prince Lot Hula Festival held at the gardens.
Rosalind had grown up at Moanalua Gardens, and they chatted about the Hawaiian families who had been homesteading the land there since the 1600s.
Damon is a descendant of banker and royal finance minister Samuel Mills Damon, who received the Moanalua ahupuaa from Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
He asked the couple whether they'd ever heard of Roy Bradley, the mastermind behind some of the finest okolehao ever distilled.
Rosalind told him that was her grandfather's name.
She didn't remember her grandfather ever actually working at a still — by that time he was retired and spent his days having a sip or two in the gardens.
They compared notes and discovered this person was the same Roy Bradley.
A maker of Hawaiian weapons, Manny Mattos got interested in the genealogy and began investigating Bradley's history.'
Eh Manny... how come Roz's jug looks full and yours looks almost empty.
As Pearl has noted, the reunion committe is scheduled to meet that Thursday to prepare the 'official' Bulldog newsletter for mailing after that meeting.
The committee can always use the extra help at this time with the newsletter preparation... so please, let them see your terrific collating and envelope-stuffing skills that we all have acquired as seniors... plus it seems to always be a great time to 'talk story' as hand-eye coordination doesn't yet seem to be affected by our mouths, for most of us... and prepping / 'talk story' are basically the main items on that particular meeting's agenda.
Hal
----- Original Message -----
From: Pearl Shimooka Mori
To: Hal
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 12:56 PM
Subject: Vegas dates & next meeting
Confirmed next meeting, set for 01/12/12, Thurs, Unity House, 6pm
Will be mailing out the newsletters.
Trip to Vegas, thru the Unity House group, confirmed dates:
Leaves 10/10/12 and returns on 10/15/12
Banquet Dinner at California Hotel Ohana Room is scheduled for 10/13/12
Pearl Mori
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER: This is not an 'official KHS '60 newsletter' but merely a voluntarily provided vehicle to pass on
information from the reunion committee, as an aside to the primary purpose of providing a focal point for your
classmate 'memories' and communication. Please refer to the Bulldog Bulletins mailed out by the reunion
committee for definitive 'official' information ( most recent issue dated September 16, 2010 ) .