Na O'Hana O Na Hui Wa'a 2011 Championship and Honoree "Aloha Sanborn"

Today, Saturday, July 23, 2011, I attended the Na O'Hana O Na Hui Wa'a Championship Regatta at Ke'ehi Lagoon Park. It was also a special day for Aunty Aloha Sanborn who was recognized and honored as someone who has been behind the scene of their racing organization and administration for many years. She served as Hui Wa'a Secretary, Executive Board, Council of Clubs and as a race official (photo above). Today's event kicked off with music provided by the "Ohana 3," with Kanani on the bass, CoCo on the ukulele and Lei on the guitar along with hula dancers. It was truly a beautiful day for the Regatta Championship.

Paddlers arrived early to find their spot and set up for the race. The food concessions were heating up their hibachis, and the aroma of breakfast, coffee, smoked meat and steak was making everyone hungry. I just couldn't pass up the smoked meat plate from aunty "Ray." It was so "ono," that I almost forgot the regatta race was about to start.

I was told that the top 3 on the 'ekahi points will move on to the HCRA State Championship on Saturday August 6, 2011 at Hanakaoo Beach, Maui. Click here for more information if you are planning to head to Maui. Special thanks to Samantha Moikeha, President - Hui Wa'a, George Waikoloa, Race Director and Heather Murakami, Chief Recorder. For today's race winners (click here), photos and video (click here).

USPS Retirement Total "185" Years At the Annual NALC Branch 860 Retirement Dinner

On Saturday, July 9, 2011, NALC Branch 860 held their retirement dinner at the Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & SPA in Wakiki. The guest speakers included members of the National Association of Letter Carriers. The first speaker was Myra Warren, Director of Life Insurance who was elected by acclamation at the 2010 Anaheim Convention to serve a second term as director of the union's Mutual Benefit Association. The second speaker was Christopher Jackson, National Business Agent Region 1 serving letter carriers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and the territory of Guam. The last speaker was John Beaumont, California State President. All three also participated in the presentation of the awards ceremony of the retirees and the Installation of Branch 860 Officers.

As for the NALC awards, Art Kimura (still working) and George Taguma (retired) were awarded the 50 year Gold Card. Letter carrier (L/R) Ross Higginbotham (not in photo, Sand Island) 26 years, Lawrence Welch (Waikiki) 40 years, Linda Tsuruma (Makiki) 30 years, Kenneth Valentine (Hawaii Kai) 16 years, Deborah McDonald (Waikiki) 27 years, and James Kamai, Jr. (downtown) 46 years. This year's Sam Hipa award and shop steward of the year went to Michelle Luke (photo, right with NALC Branch 860 President, Howard Komine). Other guest speakers were Kenji Higaki, Postmaster Honolulu, Jodie Nascimento, Manager Post Office Operations, Terry Kaolulo, Hawaii State President and Glenn Takara, Hawaii State Vice-President.

The following newly elected officers were sworn in by Christopher Jackson in the Installation of Officers for a three year term: Howard Komine, President Branch 860, Alvin Matsumura, Executive VP, Warren Shimizu, VP/Financial-Secretary, Maurice Collette, Recording-Secretary, David Ing, Treasurer, Trustees Julie Ishibashi, Don Yamasaki and Michelle Luke; Larry Fife, Sergeant at Arms, Joan Capinia, Health Benefit Officer and MBA, and Alvin Yoshikawa, Director of Retirees. Congratulations to all of this year's retirees and newly elected NALC Branch 860 officers. "Click" here to see candid photos.

Koa Kai Canoe Club Dedication of Their New Canoe "Makaihe" at Ke'ehi Lagoon

Today, Sunday, July 3, 2011 at Ke'ehi Lagoon Park, the Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a held their regatta races. The event club sponsor was "Koa Kai' who started off this event with a blessing of their new canoe "Makaihe" by Pastor Kelekona Bishaw of Real Life Christian Center. Head Coach Paul Amoy (top photo) also participated. President Carolyn Pacheco of the Koa Kai canoe club (photo, bottom right-center) read the following, "Today we are here to bless our new canoe, "Makaihe."

We consider "him" to be the Ku canoe to our Hina canoe, Pahoamokukai. Like the Polynesian Voyaging Society's double-hull canoe, Hokule'a, Makaihe and Pahoamokukai represent the balance of our club's kane and wahine paddlers."

"And, like Pahoamokukai, Makaihe was given its name by our Coach Danette Amoy. When asked what Makaihe means, this is what she shared, "In the chorus portion of "Hawaii Pono'i," we sing the words, "Makua lani e, Kamehameha e, Na kaua e pale, Meka ihe." The translation is: Royal father Kamehameha shall defend in war with spear. "The image of Kamehameha weilding a spear is a strong and vivid one. I wanted that same strength to resonate in our new canoe as it did when we named Pahoamokukai (which is "blade slicing through water").

Therefore, since ihe means "spear"; Makaihe is "spear point." "Also, I like the idea of referencing the point of the spear because it suggests that you are running at the front of the pack. And, since the name will go at the front of the canoe, it also supports the image of the whole canoe being the spear, with the bow being its point."

After the reading, Pastor Kelekona Bishaw asked all the Koa Kai club members to surround the newly blessed Makaihe and all joined hands and a prayer was given, then the race began. "Click" here to see dedication photos candid race and video photo.

Farrington High School Class of 1966 "Reminiscing" 45th Alumni Reunion

Farrington High School Class of 1966 celebrated their 45th Alumni Reunion on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the Honolulu Country Club. The theme of this year's event was "Reminiscing." After the registration and reception of guests, there was a silent auction, class picture, and opening remarks by Lindsey Gamiao (photo left, bottom right), followed by grace given by Sam Fujikawa (photo, top far right). The highlight of this event was the Silent Auction which included some items such as a certificate for 2 on Hawaiian Airlines, 14K plumeria pendent and earrings, certificate for 4 to UH vs. Colorado football game, certificate for 4 to UH vs. Pepperdine women's volleyball, certificate for 4 to UH women's basketball WAC home game, UH football tickets for 2 to home game of choice for 2011 and many more great items. Proceeds to benefit the Farrington Alumni & Community Association which awards scholarships and special fund support of various FHS student activities.

The Hawaiian buffet dinner include lau lau, kalua pig, chicken long rice, beef stew, toss and mac salad, poke, fruit platter, desserts, coffee and tea. The musical group, "The Reminiscing" entertained us with oldies of the 50's 60's and 70's followed by Kimo's Karaoke and Dance Music. The music was so loud, many of us were joking around saying that we would all be wearing hearing aids at our next reunion. We ended the night with Farrington's Alma Mater, "To you our dear Alma Mater we pledge our love and loyalty and sing a tribute all together, that all may hear our songs to thee. So let us raise her royal banner and it will hold victorious sway. Then mingle merry hearts and voices, in praise of Farrington." It was nice to see old classmates again and there was also a remembrance of those classmates who have passed on. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening for all that attended.

Special thanks to the FHS Reunion Committee lead by Lindsey Gamiao, Sam Fujikawa, Tom Gushiken, Pauline Bonga Efhan, Stan Cadiente, Cynthia Canales Soto, Jade Ferguson Hind, Blossom De La Cruz Gamiao, Joe Gomes, Jennifer Ikeada Hausler, Ann Kimura Ho, Randall Kusaka, Stewart Lee, Walter Rodrigues, Tom Suekawa, Ellen Tampon, Florence Asis Olayan, Alvina Chock Shimabukuro, Karen Jiminez Simeona, Bibiana Gomez Flazer, Senator Michelle Sakai Kidani, Charlotte Kubota Unten, Liane Mizumoto Wong (photo above) and a big Mahalo Nui Loa to those friends for their generous support and donations.