Punahou celebrated another joyous Alumni Week, featuring a host of activities and heartfelt gatherings to reminisce about the past – and create new memories. In addition to the Alumni Lū‘au and the Kupuna Lū‘au, the festivities included a special chapel service in Thurston Memorial Chapel; the Punahou Alumni Association Awards; the Reunion Committee Mahalo and Class Gift check presentation; Buff ’n Blue Back to School; and the E Ho‘i Mai Alumni Celebration, which was open to alumni from all classes.
Reunited at last! It was a long-awaited celebration for more than 2,000 alumni, friends and guests from classes ending in 0 and 5, whose last official get-together in 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.
Attendees, who represented reunion classes from 1950 through the newly graduated Class of 2025, caught up with classmates while enjoying delicious Hawaiian cuisine, courtesy of the Imu Gang and Dole Hall crew.
The hard-working 23rd and 24th lū‘au hosts from the Classes of 2001 and 2002 helped to prepare and serve the food, decorate the large tent and ensure the night ran smoothly.
The party got started with entertainment from Mango Season, featuring Curtis Kamiya ’95, Darin Leong ’95 and Wil Tafolo ’06, and wrapped with Grammy Award winner Henry Kapono ’67 and the Duke’s on Sunday Band, who rocked the tent and had alumni dancing in the aisles.
(Above) The 40th Class of 1985, with 80 classmates and 40 guests attending Alumni Lū‘au, brings the energy – still ’85 Alive and thriving!
(Above) ’55ers Dean Ho, Loujean Cassidy Vannatta and Asa Akinaka enjoyed each other’s company at the Kūpuna Lū‘au, which honored the alumni classes of 1945 – 1960.