McKinley High School "Class of '69" Reunion Events

45th Reunion Banquet

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Honolulu Country Club

The McKinley High School Class of '69's 45th Reunion weekend activities culminated with their Banquet held at the Honolulu Country Club. Over 90 classmates and guests gathered in the Tigers' Den to enjoy an evening filled with fun, food, and friends.

The line started early with anxious Classmates and their Guests checking in.

Showing off their name tags were Roosevelt's Robin Yafuso, Myra Tamanaha, Jessie Tamashiro Ito and Gary Tamanaha.

Here's Roosevelt's Harold Fujii with MHS '69ers Marylyn Morita Kaahihue, Helen Hirano Arakaki and her Husband Stan.

Posing for Jessie Tamashiro Ito were Susie Lau Ing and her sorority sister Kathy Inouye Anzai, Kalani '69.

Here is Group #1 of 2 posing for the Class Photo.

Group #2 has Ms. Mats in the center, front row. She is the one looking younger than the rest!

Fearless leader, Reunion Committee Chair and MC Dexter Suzuki gave a moving invocation that was highlighted by a candlelight ceremony to bless the event, our classmates and our loved ones.

HCC's Prime Rib Buffet was a hit! So delicious!

Classmate Freddy Ishihara along with his crew from Karaoke Madness entertained us with his ice breakers and karaoke challenges.

Here are the MHS Women in the duel of the sexes with their rendition of "Going to the Chapel." The MHS Men followed the challenge with a stirring version of "My Girl."

Alice Asuncion Ome in a "Bride" pose with Gordon Tilley trying to get the votes of the judges.

We had a "Battle of the Crooners" and this Group really rocked out their song. They were winners hands down with Yasu Yorita and his Tiger Puppet moves and Marylyn Morita Kaaihue and Marian Arakawa Crocco showing off their dancing moves.

Ms. Mats tried to lead this Group fronted by Jackie Phillips, Richard Ito and Gordon Tilley but Yasu's Group was hard to follow.

Reunion Committee Members Dean Masuno and Dexter Suzuki tried to push their Group for the win - No cigar but they were good too.

Keith Kurahashi crooned along with Virgy Avera adding some color.

Hey Alice! We didn't know that Earl Kawakami could sing. Hana hou!

Dexter Onaga providing harmony with Alice while Satoshi Iwahashi and Helen Hirano Arakaki did backup.

Okay Bobby Comeau. This just had to be your idea...

Thanks to the generosity of our classmates and business partners, terrific Door Prizes were awarded to attendees throughout the night. Capping the evening were the Grand Prizes and Silent Auction awards. Here Bobby Chinen shares with us the details of the $1,000 and $500 BCT Tours Vouchers that he donated to the Reunion as one of the Grand Prizes.

Bobby posing with the Lucky Winners of his BCT Tours - Marian Arakawa Crocco, $1000 Voucher and Stephen Miyasato winning the $500 Voucher.
Also donated as Grand Prizes were (2) $700 Vacations Hawaii Gift Certificates by Keith Kurahashi. These Certificates were won by Roosevelt's Harold Fujii and Lisa Isono Yogi.
The Silent Auction run by Keith Kurahashi had great items like a 2-night stay at Trump Tower and Golf Packages at Ko'olina and Turtle Bay. The Auction generated over $1400 for future '69 events...Stay tuned!

As the evening came to a close, following tradition, the Class was led by Songleader Marylyn Morita Kaahihue and Marian Arakawa Crocco to the lyrics of "Black & Gold."