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Alumni Notes: Our Buff ’n Blue Glue
BY GINA GELBER
The year was 1926, and there was no shortage of landmark moments. Detroit unveiled the first automatic traffic signal. In London, engineers transmitted the first successful television broadcast. And in Auburn, Massachusetts, the first liquid-fueled rocket launched into the atmosphere.
Closer to our buff and blue community, another milestone was taking flight: the first iteration of the Punahou Bulletin was published, setting in motion a legacy of storytelling that has engaged generations of readers for a century.
The inaugural issue of the Punahou Alumni Bulletin arrived in mailboxes in January 1926. Created by a small committee appointed by the Alumni Association president and supported by then-Punahou President Arthur Hauck and faculty members, the publication set out “to keep the alumni of Punahou informed as to what the school is doing and what the alumni themselves are doing.” That mission of connection endures today.
The Bulletin’s strength has always come from the people behind it. Generations of dedicated editors and contributors have shepherded the magazine through moments of celebration and transition. Among them are Lee Ann Bowman, who helmed the publication for more than two decades, as well as Laurie Chang ’78 and Carlyn Tani ’69, who are featured in this special issue. Their work captured a remarkable sweep of Punahou life, from athletic triumphs and new campus leadership to the historic moment when an alumnus, Barack Obama ’79, was sworn in as President of the United States.
Others continued to expand and modernize the publication in meaningful ways. My predecessor Diane Seo ’85 led a major digital transformation during her tenure. Creative Director David Cox has shaped the Bulletin’s design for more than 22 years, helping it evolve from a mostly black-and-white publication into the glossy magazine it is today. Award-winning photographer Kathleen Connelly has defined its visual storytelling for more than two decades, capturing campus life with clarity and warmth. And Alumni Notes Editor Waileia Davis ’86 Roster continues to anchor one of the community’s most beloved features, ensuring that alumni voices remain at the heart of every issue.
These collective efforts have inspired our readers and earned national recognition, including distinctions from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
As today’s Punahou Bulletin editor, I am honored to help carry this legacy forward and to steward the publication into new frontiers. I am grateful for those who came before me and for the sturdy foundation they built.
Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of covering stories that reflect both the continuity and evolution of our School. A few moments stand out: the joyful return to campus after the COVID-19 pandemic; the creation of Punahou’s mission statement through broad community engagement; and the forward-looking work of educators who are helping students navigate a landscape increasingly transformed by artificial intelligence. I am humbled knowing that future generations will look to these stories to gain insight and perspective into our history.
As I reflect on a century of storytelling, I am also struck by how global and local events have touched our community – and by how the Bulletin has faithfully chronicled the full spectrum. From the Great Depression and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ commandeering of campus during World War II to more recent revolutions in science, technology and education, the Bulletin has remained a steady witness to our shared history.
As today’s Punahou Bulletin editor, I am honored to help carry this legacy forward and to steward the publication into new frontiers. I am grateful for those who came before me and for the sturdy foundation they built.
– Gina Gelber, Editor
There have been many bright spots as well, including the joy of 100 years of Punahou Alumni Lū‘au celebrations, the opening of new facilities, and the Commencement ceremonies for thousands of Punahou students who have gone on to make positive contributions in Hawai‘i and beyond.
Yet the Bulletin is more than a record of events. It is a living bridge across time and generations, grounding us and helping us deepen our appreciation for one another. As we look ahead to the next hundred years, we remain committed to continuing to inform, engage and uplift the more than 35,000 readers who call this publication their own.
The remarkable story of Punahou is still being written – and we are grateful to share this journey with you. Mahalo.