To say the class of 1972’s 50th Class Reunion was a long time in the making would be an understatement. They began laying the groundwork for the event back in January 2018, only six months after their 45th Class Reunion – and a lifetime before anyone had ever heard of COVID-19.

“Our classmate Lisa Morrett ’72 Cole initiated the original brainstorming meeting,” says Mele White ’72 Pochereva, who was on the steering committee for the event. “A group of six classmates met over coffee. Lisa floated the idea of ‘Voyagers’ and it stuck.” The theme was inspired by classmate Nainoa Thompson, who had recently received the “O” in Life Award for his role in reviving Polynesian wayfinding and Hōkūle‘a’s three-year worldwide voyage.

Reunion organizers had fun working on and developing the voyagers theme, Pochereva recalls. “Our five-member steering committee became the navigators, other committee members were captains and paddlers, all of us working together toward our 2022 50th Reunion destination.”

Then the pandemic struck – and the theme of voyagers became acutely poignant as the Punahou community was suddenly navigating in uncharted waters. Despite the unprecedented challenges, organizers were optimistic that the pandemic would be behind them by the time their 2022 Reunion rolled around, so they paddled ahead.

All of their planning meetings were held virtually. “The great thing was, online meetings enabled us to involve classmates from across the country,” says Pochereva. Then came a sobering moment: Punahou had to cancel the 2021 in-person Reunion.

“It was a bit of a reality check,” she notes. “But as the pandemic dragged on and variants surged, vaccines became available, so we kept moving forward and hoped that conditions would allow for an in-person event, even if that meant some activities might have to be scaled back.”

Fortunately, the tailwinds blew in favor of the buff ’n blue community, and the Reunion came to fruition this year.

The celebrations started with the pre-reunion on Maui and continued with various optional events during Reunion Week. “I appreciated easing into our Reunion. It was great to gather with classmates in smaller groups and really spend time catching up before our big Friday night party and lū‘au day, where we had around 175 classmates and spouses,” says Pochereva.

It wasn’t until the day of the lū‘au that the significance of their 50th Reunion – and the traditions that Punahou has nurtured – really hit Pochereva.

“We had a beautiful, inspirational, emotional memorial service led by classmates in the Chapel, followed by the President’s reception with the Lathams,” she recalls. “I choked up when our class walked together past the Lily Pond and into the big lū‘au tent, led by the O‘ahu College Band and cheered on by fellow alums along the way. There was so much energy and excitement throughout the evening. What a journey it had been, with an amazing and talented team, to reach this milestone – and to be lucky enough to be part of it.”

“It was fulfilling to see the event come to life,” says Alumni Relations Director Doug Rigg ’84. “We had spent the last two years growing weary of planning and canceling. So to see everyone gather for our events during the week, culminating with our Alumni Lu¯‘au under one tent, was truly amazing.”

Pochereva says the Reunion was truly a team effort with classmates and the School coalescing to make the event come alive. “The Punahou team, anchored by Jena Tanaka ’90 Kaneshiro and Marni Bienfang ’97 Sakumoto in the Alumni Relations office, lent so much support. We are grateful for their roles.” she notes. “These are the outcomes one can expect when everyone is moving in the same direction.”

– By Gina Gelber