REUNION COMMENTS FROM CLASSMATES:

The following comments have been culled from the post reunion email and Mahalo notes going around.   

"I am still coming down from the weekend. I want to get the details sorted out and reports finished and the file closed ASAP. My head is still swimming with flashes of people and events. It was all so wonderful. Some of us were/are on overload with Kauai and Oahu. I think of all that was accomplished. It was truly a remarkable weekend. Topped with Kauai it was doubly remarkable. Today, I went through some stacks of photos we have here at home in prep. of redoing albums and came across the 35th class picture at Pauahi Hall-> about 67 classmates vs. our 143 this year! And 210 attended the Luau (including family and friends). Looked like such a "manini" group and then we thought it was great to have that many. The "scramble" still goes on. It's like a never ending ripple of energy in the heart,,, heart light, isn't it? The beat goes on, doesn't it? So many faces in the picture who we didn't touch with; I said hi and gave everyone a hug , I do know that, but visit I did not do. We had such a big group it was a little more> challenging this time. What a problem to have, eh? Next time we'll face the samething but this time we will all be ready. So let's do it all again! Mahalo and Aloha nui." Diane (Kianalani) Devereux Ackerson

"It was a wonderful reunion. I reconnected with old friends, made new acquaintances and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'm glad I went. Met up with a member of the class of '64 on the bus ride from the Hertz rent a car to the United terminal who felt we had a terrific class that had done an excellent job of organizing some unique events. He felt the Kauai gathering was something to emulate for their 40th reunion. Perhaps we have started a tradition. Are we planning something like this for the 45th? Again, it was lovely seeing everyone and being a part of this 40th reunion. Thanks to everyone for all you did to make it such a success. It's fun to see the photos start to accumulate (on the web site). I realize there were so many I never even so much as said hello to, not realizing they were in attendance. I'd like to do this all over again and do a better job of it. Again, need I say, it was a reunion that surpassed all my expectations. Many thanks for the efforts to get so many of us from the mainland to attend this gathering. Fond aloha and mahalo nui." Mary Wood Houdek

 "I wish I could have been there in person. I thought of you guys all week. I feel sure that the event was a wonderful reconnection...even for us who didn't experience it in person. Thank the committee for its leadership in this huge undertaking. Keep me informed of any future happenings. Aloha nui." Michele Quaintance Lutz

 "Our time in Hawaii is now just a wonderful memory, but the re-union of life-long friends, and the connection or union with spouses, partners, significant others, has reinforced my desire to keep in touch and get together more often! My first instinctive response to everyone who asks about the trip is, "Wonderful---much much more than we could have dreamed!" Only one glitch--we never did get the 13-year folks all together for a group photo. Next time! Count me in on whatever we need to do and anything that Fred and I might reasonably take part in the interim between 40th and 45th reunions. Once Fred gets his act together, we will download all the photographs and send them to you. Well--lunch hour is over. Back to reality! We cannot thank you all (the Committee) enough. You were and continue to be a major force in the whole reunion. For Fred and me.... Mahalo. More soon." Janet Hughes Turner

 "The Committee's thoroughness and persistence in shepherding all the activities and vendors for the reunion experience certainly was in evidence. Everything went smoothly, everyone got bedded, fed, and entertained in so many ways. May the one above shine happiness down upon the Committee members for their sacrifices made for the sake of our class." Steve Foster

" Dave and I brought back wonderful memories - the true Aloha spirit. The committee did an outstanding job . Things went so smoothly. Andre's lovely party Thursday evening where I saw classmates for the first time in 40 years - You all looked terrific - the hugs and laughter of delight at seeing old friends and making new ones, the delicious food and Vicky's beautiful Hawaiian music. Friday at the Pacific Club - a special thanks to Harlan, the beautiful buff and blue leis. I understand each took 8 hours to make. Wow! That is more than love, that is utter devotion to classmates. You are all amazing. Saturday's luau and delicious pre-luau feast. The actual luau with Clayton Jim gently prodding my husband Dave to just take a taste - "try it you'll like it". He did try everything but the poi and raw fish. Not bad for a mainland haole, but his favorite was the pineapple! Sunday at Eve Glover's beautiful home in Waimanalo was the perfect setting for our farewell. The ceremony was so touching and moving. We do need to slow down and not dance so fast and I hope we will. Dave is hooked and is already planning to come to the 45th. He hopes a pre-reunion event will be available. I feel so guilty that I just came and enjoyed so fully while the committee must have worked so hard for over a year. Thank you seems so inadequate. Never have so few done so much for so many. Even though I live "far away", I would like to be involved in some way in the 45th." Aloha, Susan (Johnson) and Dave Matuszak

"I'm still bubbling over with the memories of our wonderful reunion. I can't stop thinking about it. I tell anyone that will listen about all the glorious details of our times together. I came away feeling a special closeness to my classmates and their partners and full of love for them and feeling their love for me." Judi Kleene Klein

"We are home safe and sound, glad to be here with the strains of Hawaiian music filling our ears, and such warm memories of our 40th (I still can't believe it) reunion. If we never get back, this will have been enough. I suspect, however, that this has just whetted our appetite and you can count on seeing us in five year increments. It was a pleasure to meet everyone after so many years. Thanks for everything! " Love, Katy Cabot Shoemaker (and Harry)

"We hope the Committee members are all resting on your laurels. It was an unforgettable time, just fabulous. Hopefully I can be of help in some way in planning for the 45th (multi-Island sounds great). When in June is the Spiritual 2000 Event in SF? I would love to come. Sign us up for the Beach House again on Kauai five years hence. How can we ever thank you all for all your hard work - making this an absolutely unforgettable experience. We can't. But our thanks and love will live in our hearts forever. Take good care of yourselves." Love and Mahalo, Ellen and Margot

"Wanted to let you know that I put 65 of some of my better, more relevant photos in the mail to you. Please feel free to use whichever ones you like on the internet. Hope you all like them. The web site is just fantastic. I keep telling people about it and they look and cannot believe it. It's a wonderful break at work to just go online---and remember! I follow all of the changes--regularly. One of my friends talks about her 40th High School Reunion which is a cocktail party at a local country club! Take care. Aloha!" Lynn Jacobs

"We are finally settled in after spending a wonderful 11 days pretending that we were retired. In case anybody didn't realize it, we had a most wonderful time. What with old friends, and many new friends and a lot of time to really get to know each other, Could it get any better? As we look over the pictures we are reminded what a great group of friends the Punahou '59ers are. Cheryl and I felt so warmly received that we would really like to participate again, but we would like to help a lot more than we did this time. I again want to thank you all for including us in the Punahou family. Mahalo Nui Loa." Keith and Cheryl Garrison

"What a trip. What a wonderful time, sharing and reflecting with new and old (note - not older) Punahou pals. Can hardly wait for the next reunion. It was special, memories are wonderful - won't ever forget - love you all - See you soon! Working so hard now for my next trip back to celebrate the millennium in Hawaii. Anyone interested? YEAH!!!" - Aloha, Pam Andrade Anderson

"Thanks to you all for all the hard work you put in on the class reunion. It was a blast, I have never enjoyed a trip as much as this one. I also appreciate the warmth shown towards my daughter. It made her trip wonderful. Again a great big THANK YOU, you did a great job." Aloha!" Bill Loehr

"Thank you all so very much for all you did to make our reunion such a success. I bet when Jon ran for class president senior year that he did not realize it was a job for life. Our week on Kauai was especially meaningful. It takes time to reconnect and that is what we had over there. I got to know people that I never ran around with in high school. What a joy! The Sunday picnic and In Memoriam service was very nice." Much Aloha! Dorothy Felton and Chuck and Brad

"It has taken me some time to process my experiences in Hawaii. It was a powerful one and I had some difficulty in adjusting to day to day life on my return. The Committees deserves a huge thank you for all the hard work that went into the preparations for our 40th reunion. I very much appreciated all of the small details that made us all feel special. I am feeling very grateful for having been raised in that time and in such a beautiful place. We have a very special class." Aloha, Sharon DuBois McCahon

"We honestly could not have enjoyed a trip or a week more than we just did with all of you. Neither of us wanted to leave. We have spent just about every evening since coming back thinking about the days with you guys. The Committees put together the trip of a lifetime, organized to the point that everything was taken care of in a way that did not get in the way of fun, and pulled it off magnificently. Thanks so much for including us. It was a blast and we can't wait until the next one." Doug and Anne Wilburn

"This reunion was fabulous in every respect. A real "celebration of life" and a marking post on our life paths for all of us. In reviewing the reunion photos and the class photo, I am struck by the realization that as hard as I tried, I did not "Touch" upon 100% of the classmates during the four days in Honolulu. A close Zen Buddhist friend reminds me that what is most significant is that we were all there, together, in one place, at the same time. We "touched" just by all being there together. I can accept this. Karen and I are really looking forward to planning and participating in our 45th. I have many more photo's folks have sent that I will be posting on the web site. I have put about 150 on the web site so far and have about 100 more to go. I remain "blasted" by the reunion experience. Another word might be "scrambled". Kauai was fantastic, a life's experience that will be difficult to re-achieve. The entire reunion experience exceeded everything I could have ever hoped for and then some. The adrenalin is still pumping. What a shot. I now know what it is to experience "unconditional love". This is truly the way we are all meant to live our lives, respectful, joyous in each other's presence, sharing, loving and helping each other. I am a changed person, forever. I have "seen the light". And I love it. Mahalo to ALL the folks who worked so hard on the Committees for your special love and attention to us and caring that showed through every aspect of the planning for and execution of the reunion. A special mahalo to Diane, Bob, Roy, Clayden and Harlan for their leadership of the entire affair. Our 45th can not come soon enough. We know how to do it now. The Norpu gang is ready to help out in any way possible to get even more folks back this next time. Word is spreading rapidly and we already have a good size nucleus of 40th classmates wanting to return in 2004. Aloha nui, Me Kealoha pumehana, Hui Hou." Bro Jon and Karen Larson

Special mahalo's to class photographers Helen Larson and Tek Yoon for supplying us with many of these wonderful reunion web site photos. Through these photos and those provided by other classmates, we will relive (forever) our 40th reunion weekend together along with those unable to attend (who will share in the reunion weekend vicariously) through our class web site. Others whose reunion photos we have used include Dee Dee, Doug, Pam, Frank, Lionel, Midgi, Doug, Keith, Steve, Lynn, Pauahi, Diane, Jan, Judi and Jon.

We have reproduced our 1959 Class record containing the music and words from our Graduation Ceremony in 1959. The original record has been digitally enhanced by classmate Martin Howard onto these new CD's which are beautifully packaged. You can have your own CD. To enjoy our music forever at home, please send a check for $15 to Jon Larson, PO Box 751, Tiburon, CA 94920 along with your return mailing address.

Price including shipping: "T" shirt - $15 each. Polo shirt - $22 each.