Kanalui - SLH Class of 1971 30th Reunion Recap
reported by Alan Young
reported by Alan Young
Las Vegas Trip, September 20 27, 2001
Thursday: This was our final event for our 30th reunion and we had a great time in Vegas rekindling friendships and enjoying each others company. Some of us made money (Kip and Louie, Glenn and Terry, alright!) and some of us didn't but it was secondary to the fun we had talking story with everyone. We were able to forget for a few days the cloud of uncertainty that lingered above us due to that awful Tuesday, September 11th.
The 1st day started with most of the classmates and guests arriving and getting settled. We met in Neal Otani's room and informed them of the events for the following days. We had a few beers and poke and started catching up with our old classmates.
Friday: Eleven of us golfed at the Highland course in Summerlin in Sun City while others shopped at Belz Mall and other places. That night at 6:00 we had our banquet at the Social Club at Main St. Hotel. Many thanks to Joe Blanco for being our MC at short notice. A prayer by Bro. Skip Matthews and a moment of silence for the victims of Tuesday's tragedy and Jim Pitchford's sister Patricia. We enjoyed a buffet meal and a short program where we gave away lots of prizes. Many thanks to all the classmates that contributed by donating gifts. We had every classmate stand and introduce themselves and guests and tell us where they lived and what they were doing now. Howard Lau won the Tommy Armour Golf set donated by Randy Kam. Wanting to share this prize Howard donated parts of the set as prizes for the next day's golf outing. Kevin Chong Kee, who played very well the two days, coming from rotator cup surgery, won the Tommy Armour 845's irons with low score and Tom Lewis won the golf balls with closest to the pin. Lots of fun and adventures on the course with flying clubs, shattering roofs, and holes in the walls of homes. The class of 71 left with golfing stories to last a lifetime.
Saturday While we were golfing at the same golf course others went shopping again and to the Hoolaulea and hiking at Red Mountain. Saturday night we finished off the remaining poke and pupus thanks to Glenn and Terry Hasegawa. We then went on the City Lights tour which ended up with most of the golfers cutting zzzzz in the back of the bus but it was an interesting tour. Mahalo to John Vierra for the drinks for everyone.
Sunday: was a free day for everyone and at night some of us went to the Cirque du Soleil "O" show at the Bellagio which was fantastic. Didn't know people could twist themselves into such awkward positions. Ouch! Many people have to be thanked for their part in making this event a success. Roberta Chong Kee for her handling of the air transportation, favors, centerpieces and so much more. We couldn't have done any of this without her tireless help; we truly owe her a great deal of thanks. Kevin Chong Kee for his support and help through out the year with the golf and planning of the events. Neal Otani and family for the help with the hospitality room, banquet and rooms for the mainland classmates. Doug Won and Mr. Brian Carter for the golf connection. Thanks to Wesley Lau for his help with the "O" show tickets.
Mahalo goes out to all that donated things for the class for all the events: Randy Kam, Kevin and Roberta Chong Kee, Neal Otani and his father, Calif. Hotel, Bob Moritsugu, Joe Hu, Howard Lau, Al Yim, Doug Won, John Tokunaga, Bill Coester, Joe Blanco, Edgar Silva, Wayne Tamashiro, Sidney Piosalan, Brian Y.C. Lau, Dave Cachola, Juan Borja, David Lee Beinke, Terry Yasuhara, Wesley and Gale Ogawa, JohnVierra, Glenn and Terry Hasegawa, Bobby Hall, Bradda Steven and Martin Pahinui.
Thanks also to all the classmates that gave up their time and effort in planning and lending a hand. If I have forgotten to mention anyone please forgive me for you all played an integral part in making this reunion a success. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, talking to and getting closer to all of you this past year. I hope you also enjoyed yourselves at the events we held. As I get older I have come to realize that life is too short and that the friendships we have is something special. When we are faced with a terrible tragedy or event knowing we have family and friends to go to, makes it much more bearable. I wish you all the best in the years to come and much Aloha.
Take Care!
Alan Young
Forgot to mention who was in attendance in Vegas. Alan Chock, Alan Young, Bernard Asato, Bill Coester and wife, Bob Crowell and wife, Bob Moritsugu, Brian Lau and wife, Dave Cachola and wife, Douglas Wenberg and wife, Edgar Silva and wife, Glenn Hasegawa and wife, Glenn Villegas, Howard Lau, Joe Blanco & wife and father, Joe Hu, Joe Lau, John Vierra, Juan Borja and wife, Keith Ridley and fiancée, Kevin Chong Kee and wife, Mark Buchanan and wife, Neal Otani, Randall Kam, Richard Lum, Richard McGurn and wife, Rodney Aratani, Ben Aprecio and wife, Tom Lewis, Wesley Lau and wife, Wesley Ogawa and wife, Donald Chun, and Bro. Skip Matthews. Forgot that Glenn Villegas won a putter from Howard Lau on the golf outing the second day also.
As we prepared for our trip to Vegas, I asked you to join me in saying a prayer for Jim Pitchford and family. He was set to join us in Vegas but was just notified that his sister was a casualty of the World Trade Center. He felt strongly, like many of our classmates feel, that we should continue on with our lives. That the best way to show the kind of character and strength we have as a nation is to show the world we can continue on. I am proud to say that our class has shown a lot of this character and strength. We will go to Vegas and enjoy and rekindle the friendship we had at St. Louis and move with our lives. We will never forget what has happened but we will not let it take over our lives. Take care and may the Lord keep you safe and well.
Alan Young
The 1st day started with most of the classmates and guests arriving and getting settled. We met in Neal Otani's room and informed them of the events for the following days. We had a few beers and poke and started catching up with our old classmates.
Friday: Eleven of us golfed at the Highland course in Summerlin in Sun City while others shopped at Belz Mall and other places. That night at 6:00 we had our banquet at the Social Club at Main St. Hotel. Many thanks to Joe Blanco for being our MC at short notice. A prayer by Bro. Skip Matthews and a moment of silence for the victims of Tuesday's tragedy and Jim Pitchford's sister Patricia. We enjoyed a buffet meal and a short program where we gave away lots of prizes. Many thanks to all the classmates that contributed by donating gifts. We had every classmate stand and introduce themselves and guests and tell us where they lived and what they were doing now. Howard Lau won the Tommy Armour Golf set donated by Randy Kam. Wanting to share this prize Howard donated parts of the set as prizes for the next day's golf outing. Kevin Chong Kee, who played very well the two days, coming from rotator cup surgery, won the Tommy Armour 845's irons with low score and Tom Lewis won the golf balls with closest to the pin. Lots of fun and adventures on the course with flying clubs, shattering roofs, and holes in the walls of homes. The class of 71 left with golfing stories to last a lifetime.
Saturday While we were golfing at the same golf course others went shopping again and to the Hoolaulea and hiking at Red Mountain. Saturday night we finished off the remaining poke and pupus thanks to Glenn and Terry Hasegawa. We then went on the City Lights tour which ended up with most of the golfers cutting zzzzz in the back of the bus but it was an interesting tour. Mahalo to John Vierra for the drinks for everyone.
Sunday: was a free day for everyone and at night some of us went to the Cirque du Soleil "O" show at the Bellagio which was fantastic. Didn't know people could twist themselves into such awkward positions. Ouch! Many people have to be thanked for their part in making this event a success. Roberta Chong Kee for her handling of the air transportation, favors, centerpieces and so much more. We couldn't have done any of this without her tireless help; we truly owe her a great deal of thanks. Kevin Chong Kee for his support and help through out the year with the golf and planning of the events. Neal Otani and family for the help with the hospitality room, banquet and rooms for the mainland classmates. Doug Won and Mr. Brian Carter for the golf connection. Thanks to Wesley Lau for his help with the "O" show tickets.
Mahalo goes out to all that donated things for the class for all the events: Randy Kam, Kevin and Roberta Chong Kee, Neal Otani and his father, Calif. Hotel, Bob Moritsugu, Joe Hu, Howard Lau, Al Yim, Doug Won, John Tokunaga, Bill Coester, Joe Blanco, Edgar Silva, Wayne Tamashiro, Sidney Piosalan, Brian Y.C. Lau, Dave Cachola, Juan Borja, David Lee Beinke, Terry Yasuhara, Wesley and Gale Ogawa, JohnVierra, Glenn and Terry Hasegawa, Bobby Hall, Bradda Steven and Martin Pahinui.
Thanks also to all the classmates that gave up their time and effort in planning and lending a hand. If I have forgotten to mention anyone please forgive me for you all played an integral part in making this reunion a success. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, talking to and getting closer to all of you this past year. I hope you also enjoyed yourselves at the events we held. As I get older I have come to realize that life is too short and that the friendships we have is something special. When we are faced with a terrible tragedy or event knowing we have family and friends to go to, makes it much more bearable. I wish you all the best in the years to come and much Aloha.
Take Care!
Alan Young
Forgot to mention who was in attendance in Vegas. Alan Chock, Alan Young, Bernard Asato, Bill Coester and wife, Bob Crowell and wife, Bob Moritsugu, Brian Lau and wife, Dave Cachola and wife, Douglas Wenberg and wife, Edgar Silva and wife, Glenn Hasegawa and wife, Glenn Villegas, Howard Lau, Joe Blanco & wife and father, Joe Hu, Joe Lau, John Vierra, Juan Borja and wife, Keith Ridley and fiancée, Kevin Chong Kee and wife, Mark Buchanan and wife, Neal Otani, Randall Kam, Richard Lum, Richard McGurn and wife, Rodney Aratani, Ben Aprecio and wife, Tom Lewis, Wesley Lau and wife, Wesley Ogawa and wife, Donald Chun, and Bro. Skip Matthews. Forgot that Glenn Villegas won a putter from Howard Lau on the golf outing the second day also.
As we prepared for our trip to Vegas, I asked you to join me in saying a prayer for Jim Pitchford and family. He was set to join us in Vegas but was just notified that his sister was a casualty of the World Trade Center. He felt strongly, like many of our classmates feel, that we should continue on with our lives. That the best way to show the kind of character and strength we have as a nation is to show the world we can continue on. I am proud to say that our class has shown a lot of this character and strength. We will go to Vegas and enjoy and rekindle the friendship we had at St. Louis and move with our lives. We will never forget what has happened but we will not let it take over our lives. Take care and may the Lord keep you safe and well.
Alan Young