Art's 50th High School Reunion

Coincidentally Art's 50th Reunion was on the same night as my 45th.  He went off with his classmate, Morris who happens to live just up the street from us.  Art picked Morris up at 4:45 (without waking me up) and they caught the 6:00 AM flight out to Hilo.

Their first stop was the Hilo Farmers Market to pick up anthiriums.

They first visited Morris' relatives' grave sites in Hilo and then drove to Honokaa where Art placed his offering of the anthiriums at the cemetery where Art's relatives are buried and then at the temple columbarium where his parents' ashes are resting.

The next stop was Honokaa High School.  This is the athletic field where I'm sure Art and Morris spent a lot of time.

Art's class had made a generous presentation to the high school of a new public address system.




The school appreciated their gift so much that students took groups of alumni around the campus to show them the new buildings that had been constructed since they'd left half a century ago.

They were also treated to a school lunch.  The vice principal told them that it was the students' favorite.

Sure enough, there were long lines waiting to get their shoyu chicken lunch.

Art said he was surprised at how healthy (brown rice and edamame) the very delicious lunch was.  He said the chicken just melted in your mouth.

 

After the wonderful school visit, Morris and Art headed back to Hilo and checked in to their Naniloa Hotel room.  They had a great view of Hilo Bay.

Art said they'd heard some not so complimentary things about the Naniloa but it was pretty decent though run down.

Of course there was that obligatory trip to the Big Island Candy factory where they could see the famous cookies being made.

The interesting thing is this was Art's 50th class reunion and 2012 happens to be the Year of the Dragon.  The Dragon is also Honokaa High School's mascot.

Art and Morris were both very touched to be honored as veterans along with their other veteran classmates.

Like my reunion, they had a lot of fun games.  One of the hardest was matching up names to photos of all the graduates.  However, he had only 120 graduates in his class.  I had 424 in mine.

Art loved seeing all his classmates again and they relived their happy years at a more innocent time in Hawaii history before the Vietnam War broke out.

And yes, Art and Morris had to stop at the Two Ladies Kitchen for their pricey but delicious mochi covered strawberries.

They were absolutely scrumptious!!!  Art had also bought a mochi assortment which we savored for a couple of days.

Here are the souvenirs Art brought home from his fun reunion.

One of his classmates had made these leather coasters for everyone who came.  He made two extra special ones for Art that had the date of his becoming an Eagle Scout and another special one he made with Art's name on it.  Art was very touched.

The creme de la creme of souvenirs, however, had to be this t-shirt with the Dragon mascot and notation that 2012 was the Year of the Dragon.

I was amazed at how hard Art's Reunion committee had worked to pull off this memorable event.  Perhaps I'll be able to go with him when they celebrate their 70th birthday.... unless it's on the same day as my Medicare party.