Punahou’s Alumni Portal to Dreaming and Discovery
The passion for exploration is at the heart of a Punahou education – so much so that it made its way into the School’s new mission statement: Our home to dream and discover our purpose and kuleana to Hawai‘i and the world.
From an early age, students are encouraged to be curious about the vast world they inhabit through a variety of hallmark experiences, including the trip to Hawai‘i Island in the fifth grade, immersive foreign language courses and curricular opportunities through the Wo International Center. Some students even get to participate in exchange programs with counterparts from countries as far-flung and diverse as France and Japan. In the process, they gain rich insight into other cultures – while deepening a sense of personal understanding and growth.
The outcome of this powerful academic journey is an insatiable love for learning, which lasts a life- time.The School was able to tap into this spirit of wonder through the Punahou Alumni Travel program, which was launched in 2017.Through the years, alumni have traveled the world, expanding their knowledge of foreign cultures while forging enduring bonds with one another.
The program’s maiden voyage was an exquisite 10-day trip to Italy – visiting Renaissance treasures such Florence,Venice and the Eternal City.The next year, alumni traveled to Peru, following in the fabled footsteps of explorer Hiram Bingham III (Class of 1892). In 2019, alumni touredTurkey, delving into the country’s ancient culture and history.
COVID-19 put alumni travel on pause for several years – until this February, when a group of enthusiastic explorers embarked on a 21-day tour of Southeast Asia. Punahou Director of Advancement Services Leela Bilmes ’85 Goldstein and Director of Alumni Relations Doug Rigg ’84 accompanied the group and chronicled their adventures for the Bulletin.
Goldstein and Rigg reminisced about their itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia, respectively. Like all Punahou Alumni Travel voyages, this trip was meticulously curated by expert guides, resulting in the perfect blend of memorable experiences such as marveling at ancient temples, navigating grand waterways and participating in fun cultural activities. One of the salient sentiments in their colorful accounts can be distilled into one word: bonding.This once-in-a-lifetime trip brought traveling alumni even closer.
Details of where the next Punahou Alumni Travel adventure will unfold are being ironed out, but one thing is certain: the riveting experience will honor the School’s beloved tradition of exploration and the pursuit of lifelong inquiry. Who says learning is only for students?
VIETNAM
Leela Bilmes ’85 Goldstein, Vietnam
United by our common bond as alumni, we set out to explore the rich history, culture and natural beauty of this enchanting country, under the fearless guidance of our tour operator, Mei-mei Zane ’84 Engel and our local guide, Nam. Our adventure would take us from the ancient streets of Hanoi to the serene waters of Ha Long Bay; the hazy, lazy mountain town of Sapa up in the clouds; the historic town of Hoi An, to Hue in the middle of the country; then the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam held us in a divine grip from the get-go – from the intricate maze of moped-clogged Old Quarter streets, the velvety richness of egg coffee and the haunting memories and terrifying guillotine of the Hanoi Hilton. In the beauty of its landscapes, the warmth of its people and the delights of its cuisine, we were captivated. We savored each experience together as we discovered anew the bonds that unite us as Punahou Alumni and the connection that comes from shared experiences.
The alumni adventures continued, traveling on the Ama Waterways riverboat. The Amadara would be home to our group for the next eight days, as the intimate luxury vessel made its way up the Mekong River to the small and sleepy village destinations of Cai Be, Sa Dec and Tan Chau. The cruise would delight all and reveal the life of the Vietnamese who live, work and play along this waterway. Daily shore excursions to local candy, silk and weaving workshops, rikshaw rides, family farms and home visits with multigenerational families, shed light on the everyday lives of these remarkable people.
The alumni enjoyed a variety of activities such as meandering around Ha Long Bay, scenic bike rides and visits to colorful markets in search of local treasures. After working up an appetite, the group indulged in diverse dining delights. There was even a cooking class to decode the art of Vietnamese cuisine. Of course, there was also time for contemplation, relaxing – and bonding with the fellow alumni travelers – against the backdrop of dreamy landscapes.
CAMBODIA
Doug Rigg ’84, Cambodia
Crossing the border into Cambodia and into the capitol of Phnom Penh was a dramatic difference from the quaint villages in Vietnam. Visits to the Royal Palace, National Museum and Central Market celebrated the color of the politics and people of Cambodia; however, the afternoon visits to the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum were sobering. The days that followed included visits to the villages of Oudong, Kampong-Tralach, Angkor Ban and Kampong Cham, which were full of monk citings – some as young as 5 and 6 years old – visiting students in an elementary school and shopping for artisanal goods and wares.
The trip culminated with a dazzling four-day visit to Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat. Witnessing the magic of the largest religious structure in the world was a bucket list item for many of our alumni. We visited before sunrise to take in the beauty and grandeur of the temples in the golden morning light. We also were able to skip the large crowds and take some striking photos of the group and Hindu-Buddhist temple.
As our exciting adventure came to an end, we had our final dinner and exchanged thoughts about the divine time we spent in this wonderous place. Most of all, we were also grateful for the strong bonds that we made along the way, which were encapsulated in the name we adopted for our group chat: “Sticky Rice Family.”
The pre-dawn visit to Angkor Wat, a vast complex of temples from the 12th century and UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a showstopper. Travelers also enjoyed light-hearted adventures, including a visit to the night market, where they got to see tarantulas on skewers – grasshopper hors d’oeuvres, anyone? Not interested in eating bugs – no problem. The trip included a fair share of sumptuous culinary experiences, including a private gourmet dinner prepared by a chef.