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Our Buff ’n Blue ʻOhana Under One Tent: A Century of Alumni Lū‘au
In honor of Punahou’s centennial celebration, the Alumni Lū‘au welcomes 3,000 guests. For generations, the event has blended fellowship, entertainment – and delicious food that is prepared with aloha. This vintage photo from 1956 captures Mun Kwai Lau (1926) (left) helping to cook a menu item for the celebrations.
To accommodate development of the Winne Units, the Alumni Lū‘au relocates to Alexander Field, which served as its home until 1982. Through the decades, the event has migrated across campus to locations that also include Rice Field and Chamberlain Field, where it resides today. This photo from June 18, 1955 captures a group of lū‘au hostesses welcoming guests to Alexander Field.
Charles “Fat” Guard (1937), who worked for McCabe, Hamilton & Renny, coordinates a group of stevedores to prepare kālua pig for the Alumni Lū‘au on campus. For many years, the crew slow-cooked upwards of seven full-sized pigs for Lū‘au guests. After Guard’s retirement, the hands-on tradition paused as the School explored other approaches, including using outside vendors.
PAA Board member Mary Helen Gay ’45 Styan proposes that the 24th Reunion Class provide the labor power for Lū‘au, launching a new tradition of volunteerism and bonding for alumni, which has endured for decades. Seen here, the 24th Reunion Class of 1980 helps arrange plumeria for table decorations for the 2004 Alumni Lū‘au.
The School’s original imu was rediscovered, paving the way for Scott May ’56 and the volunteers of the “Imu Gang Emeritus” to bring the tradition of preparing kālua pig back to campus. Each year, the imu pit crew supports the 24th Host Class with cooking thousands of pounds of pork. In 1987, the Class of 1963 gifted a new imu to the School – a contribution that has fueled decades of fellowship and feasts.
Punahou Alumni Glee Club is founded under direction of Donald Yap ’49, launching the cherished ritual of singing 50th Reunion Class songs. This snapshot from the Alumni Lū‘au in 1995 captures the Punahou Glee Club harmonizing in their signature blue and white palaka attire.
The O‘ahu College Band establishes a custom of leading the 50th Class on their march to the lū‘au grounds.
Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Punahou reimagines the Alumni Lū‘au, adapting to meet the evolving public health protocols at the time.
As Pandemic restrictions ease, Punahou warmly welcomes Reunion Classes back for in-person lū‘au celebrations. Henry Kapono Ka‘aihue ’67 takes the stage that evening – more than a performance, it was a joyful homecoming for nearly 2,000 alumni, reuniting through music and buff ’n blue bonds.
Alumni Lū‘au turns 100. Punahou Alumni Association hosts nine celebratory events in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Boston, New York City, Tokyo and Honolulu.