July 30th, 2005
Pagoda Hotel
The Class of ’70 got together for our 35 year class reunion on July 30, 2005 at the Pagoda Hotel La Salle Ballroom. After many months of planning our classmates got together for an evening of fun, fellowship, and entertainment. Many friendships were rekindled and many new friendships were made.
Committee members started arriving at 3:30 p.m. to setup. Many things needed attention. Sanford Ariyoshi, Rusti Onishi, and Michael Tokujo put up the newly designed class banner. Leslie Murakami setup the photo display while Fay (Nomura) Takaesu set up the pupu area. Sharon (Matsushima) Shigemoto and Joanne (Isa) Fong setup the door prize area.
The evening started with classmate Wendell Donlin and his 3 man group; Li Hing Mui; playing many old favorites as the members of the Class of ’70 meandered in and were greeted by the welcoming committee. The welcoming committee made up of Gail (Misaki) Murakami, Karen (Masuda) Stanfill, and Vanya (Nash) Fagasa made sure we got the names correct and our select photographers, Ken Takahashi and Michael Tokujo took their photographs for the class scrapbook, web site, and a video starring the Class of ’70.
The door prize committee headed by Sharon
(Matsushima) Shigemoto were busy sorting out
the door prizes donated by many classmates and many local businesses.
Throughout the evening Sharon and her assistants, Cherylin
(Shibuya) Asato and Pamela (Kaneshiro)
Miike, with the help of Chairman and Emcee Dexter Ohama passed out the many prizes. Every classmate who
attended received a prize. Comments heard were, “May I trade my prize for
your bag of
The group picture taking took place with photographer Bill Dasher (www.billdasher.com) guiding everyone into place. His many comments about the Class of ’70 looking so young and beautiful made everyone smile! (Yes, we still got it!) Along with the group picture, Bill shot special group photos of the reunion committee, and several mini groups. Of course the main photographers throughout the evening were the attendees. Cameras were distributed throughout the ballroom with instructions to take photos throughout the evening. Class of ’70; …you did not disappoint! We got over 500 snapshots from those cameras and many more from Ken, Michael, Stephen, Leslie, and Estelle. A video slide show was put together and distributed. Hope everyone enjoys these photos!
After the invocation by Guy Chinen, the Class of ’70 and guests were treated to a Prime Rib Buffet dinner. It took a while for everyone to get through the buffet line; not because it had so many delicious items but the many hellos and conversations just getting to the buffet. A great dinner was had by all thanks to the efforts of Fay (Nomura) Takaesu who chaired the facility committee.
Entertainment was provided throughout the evening by the Class of ’70 with the help of Karaoke by Tapestry… (Douglas Oshiro; Kaimuki Class of ’73). Many members of the class demonstrated their vocal abilities. You should have heard Lyle Hamasaki’s rendition of “That’s Life” as he treated the audience with his stage presence! Other singers throughout the evening were Vanya, Scott, Gayln, Fay, Joanne, Stephen, Nick. You had to be there to have heard Neil Kanemori… He was having so much fun! Many others sang and entertained us throughout the evening. The dance floor was available but many chose to be entertained by the singers and spent the time mingling and renewing friendships. Our cool classmates did dance to the “Electric Slide”. Many joined in even if they did not know the steps!
The class photo was distributed to the class by Estelle and Phyllis as the evening drew to a close.
Sadly the evening had to end! 11:00 pm and everyone was just enjoying the company! 11:15 pm and still there! The Pagoda staff were removing the dance floor as everyone continued to reminisce. We finally left the Pagoda and moved on! All the members of this year’s reunion committee would like to extend a special and awesome thank you to the organizational feats of Stephen Chang.
A picnic get together for all of us and our families is in
the works for October 29 at
The 35 Year Reunion continues!!!