The Punahou Alumni Association Japan (PAAJP) kicked off the spring season with a special pau hana event in Tokyo this March. Alumni, faculty, staff and families gathered for a night of camaraderie and celebration at the newly opened Fender flagship store in Harajuku, graciously made possible by Trustee Mark Fukunaga ’74. Attendees welcomed President Mike Latham ’86, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Noelehua Lyons ’91 Archambault, and Director of Alumni Relations Doug Rigg ’84.
“Wherever I go in the world, I am always struck by the strong connection our alumni feel for our school,” says Latham. “We have many alumni who live in Japan, and it was a joy to catch up with them and to be able to bring some buff ’n blue aloha with us on our visit.”
Guests at the event enjoyed tasty appetizers and beverages while Latham shared updates from the School, including its recently unveiled new mission statement and details about the forthcoming Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons. Alumni expressed excitement about the latest campus developments and got a sneak peak at computer animations of the new learning commons.
For their part, PAAJP co-presidents, Yugo Yamamoto ’92 and Reid Matsumoto ’93, took to the stage to provide an update about the alumni chapter and to offer their thanks to Latham and the School for their support of alumni around the globe. “What a great venue to celebrate this time together,” said Yamamoto, against a vivid backdrop of electric guitars and ‘ukulele. “Our chapter continues to grow and we are excited by all of the young alumni who have decided to join us over the past few years.”
The event drew members from the Tamagawa School in Tokyo, with whom Punahou has had a student exchange program dating back to 2001. Also in attendance were numerous Punahou faculty and staff whose spring break family vacations happily coincided with the event.
The evening concluded with an overall feeling of Punahou pride and a strong connection to the School, leaving everyone with cherished memories and a renewed sense of belonging to the vibrant community that embodies our alma mater.
– By Robert Gelber ’92