Pearl City High School Alumni Association News Updated Wednesday, April 09, 2008

06-Sep-2007

From Kyle Miyashiro:

Aloha Mighty Chargers!!

This years Homecoming will be against Roosevelt on October 19, 2007 at our school stadium. Come out and support our football team and reunite with old friends.

On October 21, 2007 we will be having a fundraiser for Robin Ancog, an English teacher teaching at PCHS. She has been diagnosed with cancer and she will be going to the Cancer Institute on the mainland to hopefully rid her of the disease.  Our fundraiser will take place in the school cafeteria from 5:30-8:30.  Ige's Catering will be serving us Hawaiian food for $20.00.  Although she is not an alumni, everyone who steps through the halls of Pearl City is considered family so please spread the word about our fundraiser.  If you would like to help out or purchase tickets call Kyle Miyashiro at 453-6500 and leave a message at our front office.

Mahalo for your support!!!

Kyle Miyashiro

Class of 1990

14-Aug-2007

The Class of 1983 25th reunion info has been updated on our Reunions page.

06-Jun-2007

From Colette Andrade-Fujii:

09-Apr-2007

From Colette Andrade-Fujii and the Class of 1987 Reunion Committee:

Aloha Class of '87 - Just a quick note to let you know the dates for our class reunion as well as to let you know the class has an email address: pchigh87@yahoo.com.

SAVE THESE DATES!!

September 1 and 2, 2007
Family day on September 1
Reunion Night on September 2

We are still updating our class information.  If I don't have your current information, please send me an email with the following:

Name
Email address
Mailing address
Phone Number (optional)

ALL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE GIVEN OUT!!!

If you run into any of our classmates asking for information, have them call me at 386-9481 or Bronson Padilla at 690-5456 or e-mail to pchigh87@yahoo.com.

The committee looks forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

23-Apr-2006

Dear Fellow PCHS Alumni:

First of all, on behalf of the PCHS Alumni Association, I would like to thank those of you who have already committed to the PCHSAA School-Wide Reunion Event in Las Vegas, whether it be via here at the website, or at The Vacations Hawaii Reservations Department. For these people, you have gone above and beyond what could have been expected, and for that, I would like to add my personal thanks and express my sincerest gratitude. You are “Charging” forward!

Unfortunately, because of circumstances that required a minimum number of commitments for an occasion on a holiday weekend, I have had to release the rooms that were designated for the event. We have had a number of people commit here at the website, but because the designated number of rooms were limited, processing of the reservation packages was essential. We were put into a timeline that needed a minimum commitment by a certain date, and unfortunately, we as an organization have not made that minimum commitment.

Therefore it is with my deepest regrets that the rooms have now been released, and are not designated for the reunion event.

The following information is very important for those that have already made your reservations:

If you are one of those that have already made your reservations with the special package that was set up for the event, you can still keep the reservation and of course, get the special pricing on the package. That will not change unless YOU want it to. I have gotten a personal approval from the hotel management that your package stays as was reserved.

If you already have the reservations and would like to cancel them, please do so IMMEDIATELY, otherwise you will be charged a cancellation fee. They have been very accommodating, but if you wait too long, it will be too late!

Finally, I would like to let you know that just because of unexpected “obstacles”, this doesn’t just end here!

There will still be a “casual event”/get-together that will be coordinated by fellow board members Gordon Arakaki (c/o ’76), and Cindy (Ching) Tamanaha (c/o ’77).

So watch here for future details, including location(s), events, etc.! Again, Mahalo Nui Loa and keep on checking it out here at the website!

Sincerely,

Milton S. Kubo
2005-2006 PCHSAA Fund Raising
PCHS Class of 1978

3rd annual PCHSA PTSA Golf Tournament

The 3rd annual PCHS PTSA Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at the Pearl Country Club. The committee is still looking for volunteers, golfers or any generous donation. Proceeds from this tournament provide student scholarships and teacher grants. The grand prize for this tournament is a trip for two to Las Vegas. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Janice Miwa at 456-1404.

Class of 1981 Reunion Info

04-Mar-2006

Carolyn (Ko) Narmore has sent in an update for the Class of 1981 25-year reunion.

Vegas reunion deadline extended

21-Feb-2006

If you would like to attend the Las Vegas reunion this September, it's not too late! The deadline has been extended to March 25. If you would like to join us in making school history, let us know here.

PCHSAA VEGAS REUNION 2006

24-Jan-2006

TO ALL "PEARL CITY CHARGERS" The reunion you've always talked about is here - so don't miss it! The Pearl City High School Alumni Association is bringing together 31 years of classmates - together in VEGAS! The dates are September 2-3, 2006, and the host hotel and events will be announced later.

Our goal of the PCHSAA is to continue to promote "SCHOOL SPIRIT" by bringing together alumni and supporting the school with our annual scholarships and selected school projects. We support these efforts primarily through alumni membership dues and donations and are trying to grow our membership base. We also welcome the participation of alumni at our monthly meeting and also invite any alumni that can help on our Board of Directors. We currently have 1 or 2 alumni from these classes: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, but would love to have 1 from all 31 classes! If you can spare 2 hours a month, come and join us at IGE'S RESTAURANT (in Pearl City - Across from Buzz's) on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 pm.

Being this is the 1st Annual VEGAS REUNION event - we need to know by Mar. 25 how many alumni are more than 75% interested in attending. We'll be posting your names as they come in, so your friends can make plans to see you in Vegas. We'll be having a Grand Prize (Air & Hotel pkg for 2 to Vegas) for the Class with the most alumni attending - PLUS your class will be the 1st Winner on our PCHSAA Class Competition Perpetual Trophy! The years get busy with work, kids and many responsibilities - but the "CLASS SPIRIT" never dies! Pass the word and don't miss this opportunity to see your high school friends, whether from Hawaii or the mainland – "CHARGERS" are everywhere! Visit our feedback page, or stop by at the meeting on Feb. 7 to let us know you're coming! See you there!

Update: The current list of attendees is here.

Class of 1996 Reunion Info

14-Jan-2006

Lea Parveen Arce has sent in an update for the Class of 1996 10-year reunion.

President's Message

Dear PCHSAA Members, family, and friends:

Unbelievable! It is now nearing the end of June, and along with that, comes another end to a fiscal year for YOUR PCHS Alumni Association. This year has seen by much turbulence, with many special highlights, but along with that, some unfortunate situations. As always, this core group of people (aka your "BOD") have kept an "even keel" and kept this boat afloat! For this, I have been truly blessed to have such dedicated, supportive, and loyal people surround me! It has made my job MUCH easier and I want to publicly thank each of my Board Members this year for their undying support! Please thank each of the following people that again, gave so much of themselves. Realize that this is only a small part of EVERYTHING these people do! They do things all week, all month, all year! Please accompany me in thanking these people as follows:

Anyway, here is an IMPORTANT notice for all members and those that would like to join:

We will be having our Annual General Membership Meeting/Get-Together As follows:

Also: VERY IMPORTANT! Special BOD Ballots for this General Membership Meeting will be emailed to you if you have given us your current email, or we can email one to you on request. (Again, you must be a paid member to receive a ballot.) Please email the Webmaster (Ryan Sasaki) to confirm your email address! This way we will be current with you, as we will start doing electronic notices soon! Whether you are a current member or not, send in your email address so we can keep in touch with you and let you know the NEWEST happenings on the website (as in a "Member's Only" section for paid members!) and anything regarding the school or students! We are GROWING and CHANGING!

Lastly, we are growing in membership, so we will be striving to get more people to come out and participate with us for events and such! Not necessarily for the Board (Although that would be great!) but when we have things we are trying to do and need the additional manpower. We also want to see our fellow alumni more often, so we are trying to come up with ideas on how to make this happen. We figured that if we want to see others, so do you, and maybe you just don't want to wait up to 5 years or even more!

The first is the idea this board has thought about: Instead of a General Membership "Meeting", we would have a School-wide (as in ALL Alumni graduated classes!) "Reunion/Get Together". We are considering having this at a few places (unfortunately with limited capacity), so we need your input! What do you think? It would be a dual get-together/fund raising event, so there would be multiple reasons for coming! Let us know! We are looking at June or July! Contact us for details or suggestions!

Aloha, and thank you again this year to all those who sent in your memberships and generous donations! Check into the "Scholarships" area for the latest scholarship recipients! There were THREE again this year, and ALL of the submitting students are WINNERS and we should be PROUD!

The 2005 50th State Fair presale wristbands are now availble from the PCHSAA (in cooperation with the Honolulu Jaycees) for $18 each. Please view our flyer (Word document or PDF) for more information.

Contact us via the Feedback Form on this site, or get in touch with any of the board members if you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity. We only have 1000 wristbands available, so act fast!

President's Message for December

Dear Fellow PCHS Alumni, family, and friends:

Aloha!

This comes to you hoping that the holiday season brings you much joy and many wonderful surprises! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones from myself and all of us here on the PCHSAA Board of Directors! Mele Kalikimaka and a Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

As we come to the calendar year end, we find that half of the fiscal year has basically "blitzed" by, and our day to day lives are moving at such a pace that we seem to just not have enough time to do all the things we would like to. Personally, I know that I have not had enough time, and even if the days were 48 hours long, I probably would still not have the chance to get all the things done that I need to…

Anyway, as an informational update as to what we have been doing:

Your Board of Directors has been quite busy with their own business and personal lives, and we have had difficulties executing a few things we wanted to get accomplished. We have NOT been forgoing in our responsibilities for the PCHSAA, but I do want you to please realize that we do have our regular day to day responsibilities, and being here is voluntary. Everyone that helps serve on the board has their personal duties, whether it is family or business, and everyone tries their best to be "all that they can be" for PCHSAA. This is where having others join our core group would be helpful and much more productive. Are these just excuses? No. Is this a part of the volunteer "reality of life"? Yes. We do as much as we can, with the resources that are available. Therefore, this is an appeal to you, to recognize what we can do with your help, not only financially, but in the way of being here WITH us, to do the things we volunteered to do. Unfortunately, we have had a few people that cannot understand why things do not get done as they wish: Constant updates of the website, new articles and news, information about reunions, are some of the things. I feel this is a time that I need to address these issues publicly and freely, as we are all an "ohana", and I can be straightforward and honest about these issues.

First, as to the updating of information on the website: We will GLADLY accept submissions from PC alumni regarding themselves, things about the PC community, PCHS, the students, any of the faculty, etc. Naturally, we have to evaluate and accept the article before publishing on the website, but we WANT submissions! To get our information, we need YOU to help us! Get us an update about these things, email it to the webmaster, he will send it out to the current BOD, check it over for typos, etc., and once accepted, it will be posted! But we cannot be the eyes, ears, and sources for everything. We are a BOD of seven, and after a while, you will get pretty tired of the submissions we give. You will want different perspectives, right?

Secondly, for the reunion issue, we currently have "representation"/contact from the following classes: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, and 1986. All the others: We need a "representative" from each of your classes to "keep us in the loop" as to what your class is doing, so we can be the "transporter" of information to your classmates. If we do not have any contacts, we cannot help you keep your classmates informed! Just have ONE person be in contact with us on even a QUARTERLY basis as to when, where, and any updates. Get to us what info you do have, and we will post it here! It is so simple, and it gets the word out for you in MASSIVE numbers, ESPECIALLY those that are away on the mainland or just out of touch!

Lastly, anything that you can do to help us is TRULY appreciated! What is sad and truly frustrating, are those few that "complain" about these things, and when we ASK for their HELP and input, they somehow manage to "disappear" and never contact us again…. And in the meantime, never realize that everything that goes on with us is VOLUNTARY.

I want to make it a point that no one ever gets paid for being on the board and being at the BOD meetings month after month, or for helping with the fund raising sales and coordination, or anything and everything else that goes on with the organization. This is why we always ask for help. We can NEVER have too many people, and with now 30 years of graduates….

Anyway, your BOD has been busy representing PCHS in such a proud and grand way! Here are some examples:

Cindy Tamanaha and her husband Ty, became the owners of Awardline in Waipahu, that incredible award's shop near Tanioka's! This shop has been successful for many years, and will continue on great successes now with PCHS alumni at the helm! Check them out!

Cara Tanimura is a attorney with the state, and recently moved to an even better position as one of the very important legal council for the DOE, and a "guardian" for us taxpayers! She travels extensively now to help our outer island "ohana", and shows her commitment and conviction to her job! What representation for PCHS, helping SCHOOLS!

Gordon Arakaki has recently taken a new position with the law firm of Ashford & Wriston, and continues to exude his abilities as an attorney specializing in Real Property law. Congratulations on the new job!

Eric Suzuki is one of the partners for the marketing company "VIP Marketing" / aka "VIP USA". This company makes those trademark "Fun Pack" coupon books that save you money, and are a great fundraising tool for your organization. He also was recently chosen "AYSO Kailua Coach of the Year"! Now how's THAT for working with kids and producing WINNERS!

Well, that's it for now! As you can see, the BOD is made up of people that strive to be the best, and PCHSAA is a apart of that! They know that their time is precious, yet they give unselfishly of themselves to help keep this organization going!

Again, Best Wishes for a Safe and Happy Holiday Season, from all of us here at PCHS Alumni Association!

Milton Kubo

President, PCHSAA 2004-2005

President's Message for November

Dear PCHSAA Alumni and friends:

Every day seems to move so quickly. Time goes by and makes it as if we are standing still, doesn't it? Well, I assure you that things are not as it seems. Things are continuing, and I write this to fill you in on a number of things.

First, because of scheduling conflicts, we were unable to have a PCHSAA BOD meeting right away after the General Membership Meeting in July. A follow up article covering the meeting will follow this note shortly, with input and reports coming from a few of the board members. Wait until you see what you missed!

Secondly, the PCHSAA Board of Directors elected the officers for this fiscal year at the first BOD meeting that was held. I have been "retained" as President, and will do my best to serve our PCHSAA in the best of my capabilities. I humbly ask for your patience, understanding, and naturally, as much input as we can receive. I am open to suggestions, ideas, and whatever else is on your mind regarding PCHSAA, PCHS, the students, or the community. Also retaining their positions were: Vice President Cara Tanimura and Treasurer Ryan Hamadon. Gordon Arakaki now takes on the responsibility as Secretary, and will continue to assist in Membership Database and Scholarship. In additional capacities besides being the Board of Directors, are the following: Eric Suzuki: Membership/Promotions; Ryan Sasaki: Webmaster and Web Site Administrator; Cindy Tamanaha: Distribution and Awards. Unfortunately at this time, Lynn Tanaka has "retired" from her position on the PCHSAA BOD, but continues as Scholarship Chairperson.

This year, we will continue on our "quest" to help the school and the students in whatever capacity we can. We will even have a project in May (as in a May Day" type of event called "May Fair" that the school holds each year. This is to let you know about it in advance so you can "book it now!") We participated last year for the first time, and for some of us, it was quite eye-opening as to the changes as to what goes on during a school day! For one (who shall remain unnamed), just being there on the school campus for the first time since GRADUATING was eye-opening! Let me tell you, THAT was DEFINITELY worth being there for!

There you have it! We want to continue on our "direction", so if there is anyone that wants to become an active part of helping YOUR PCHS Alumni Association, the school, the students, or community, please feel free to contact us.

Milton Kubo
PCHSAA President
Class of 1978

Dear PCHS Alumni:

Well, the Board of Directors have had our final meeting for this fiscal, and we are now definitely set for the PCHS Alumni Association Annual General Membership Meeting! Here are the details:

Dear Fellow PCHS Alumni:

This fiscal year is coming to a quick close, and finds us now in June having to work on the new BOD for next fiscal. This past year has brought a number of new changes and additions, and puts us in a direction of continued growth and opportunity! For example as you have probably noticed, changes in this website are now quite a happening thing, and many other things are coming, including a "members only" area for you to relay or find out information on other alumni from your class and others! Information that would be exclusive to those of us that are truly part of our PCHS family! Once executed, this would be an area obviously not available to the general public! Now wouldn't THAT be great? Of course this would be an area that would be a part of the benefits of being a paid member of PCHSAA! We are able to make these changes because of some very special people that have joined us in the quest to "Be the BEST that we can be!" I have been fortunate enough in my term here to welcome the newest board directors, Ryan Sasaki and Eric Suzuki! Along with the incredible long-time board directors, Cara Tanimura, Ryan Hamadon, Lynn Tanaka, Cindy Tamanaha, Gordon Arakaki, and Dean Sensui, this year has proven to be a great experience! I would definitely like to continue on this growth and YOU can be a part of this! Come out and participate in one or two projects and see the rewards: "Priceless!" I would like to extend an invitation that if there were any of you interested in joining the Board of Directors to participate in any capacity, it would be more than welcome! In a few days, there will be a mailer sent out to each member with the nomination/election slate. Why not add your name and the names of a few of your friends that can join with you? As a "committee" by yourselves, you could have the joys, the "priceless" rewards, and of course along with that, the memories, of successfully running a committee that helps the students, teachers, and community of PCHS!

In closing, I want to first thank the Board of Directors for your generous giving of your time and resources to "further our cause!" You are an inspiration to everyone in every way!

I would also like to thank those of you that have taken your valuable time to help out, either in participating with us, or in helping us out financially with your contributions! Thank you for all the support that you have given! It is truly remarkable, and greatly appreciated! You are the BEST!

I feel, (and I think the rest of the BOD will agree!) that this year has seen some great improvements, and that MANY more are to come! Please look over the mailer/notice when you get it, and make sure to mark your calendars so that you can attend the Annual General Membership Meeting next month! There will be refreshments, a bunch of reminiscing, and a whole lot of FUN!

A message from the president

Dear Fellow PCHS Alumni:

Aloha!

Well, here we are in the month of May, and it seems that the 2004 fiscal year is quickly coming to a close. Many exciting things are now in the works and/or coming! I am pretty sure that if you "surf around," you can already see some updates and changes to this web site! This is the first of MANY more things to come!

As you may have been aware of, I have been aggressively attempting to administer ways of raising money to have in the PCHSAA account. The reason is to have bigger and better capacities for solutions, including a "small" (but ALWAYS costly!) construction project at the school that the students feel is needed! In addition, there is the direction of increasing our scholarships and/or the amounts. Last year, we raised enough money to increase the total amount we were able to give, so we gave not one, but THREE scholarships! How about we look towards an even higher goal with the school project that could benefit all the students? Admittedly, it has been a tough progression with a lot of hard work, but overall, it is coming about in a very positive manner! I do want to thank all those that contribute in every way for these events! You are what make the "Spirit of PCHS" something to be proud of! Let's keep "Getting high on PCP!" (*Talk to a board member as to WHAT this "PCP" stands for! Stay tuned and keep checking back here on the web site for more details on this "Strive for Excellence!") YOU are the reason WHY we can keep on the road to success!

Currently as you can see, we are again participating in cooperation with the Honolulu Jaycees in selling the E.K. Fernandes 50th State Fair's infamous "Wristband Presale Tickets." We are asking that as many of you help us by purchasing one, two, or a few, and also help us promote and sell some too! We would love to hear from you, and have you participate in raising money to do even more for the school and the students! We have a few very large projects financially that the students have asked for, and we need as much help as we can! We are building the funds, but truly need all the help! Don't forget, if you are a licensed contractor, engineer, or if you are in construction, or are an electrician, we can use your services as well! These projects naturally need people involved in these areas and much more! Bring us your ideas, your participation, and your enthusiasm and let's make it all happen!

As for this fund-raising sales event, here are a MULTIPLE number of BENEFITS to purchasing these tickets and other items in the future, from us:

You get a tax benefit of $4.00 for EACH ticket you purchase from PCHSAA! You cannot get the tax benefit AND you pay the SAME amount if you purchase it directly from the EK Fernandez web site! If you buy it from us, you can use it on any one of the designated 6-hour times... that's right, ANY one of them from the VERY FIRST DAY to the VERY LAST DAY! IT is not for a specific day, just a specific time limit of up to 6 hours! With the tax benefit, it's almost like getting an additional DISCOUNT on the already great value! FYI: The $4.00 per ticket tax benefit is what PCHSAA makes on each ticket. This goes DIRECTLY to our account for things such as the annual scholarship(s), and now the aforementioned construction project. Help us do this, ESPECIALLY if your family or your kids are planning on going to the fair anyway! Hey, why not make it an outing and a special FAMILY event?

This year, I have been told that the Farm Fair will NOT be at Aloha Stadium, but out in Kapolei (on the plains...) This will mean that the 50th State Fair will be THE PREMIER festival and RIDE event for the year at Aloha Stadium!

I have also been told that EK Fernandez has decided at this time that the wristbands will NOT be sold on the fairgrounds at all! There will only be this presale, as well as online at the EK Fernandez website. You can only get them for the $15.00 price PRIOR to May 27th, 2004, the first evening of the fair. After that, you will only be able to get them online, and you will then pay $20.00, yes, TWENTY DOLLARS per ticket through the dates of the fair and NOT get the tax benefit! Therefore, why don't you come and get them NOW from us and do many great things with one decision?

PCHS Students will be working at the fair the first and last weekends, to earn credit for two things: a) working towards their individual Project Graduation ("PG") cost; b) for Community Service hours with the Honolulu Jaycees! How about coming out and volunteering for a shift or two and earning additional funds for PCHSAA and the school or specific students? How about coming out and supporting our PCHS students by coming out to the fair these specific two weekends?

Be a participating and supporting PCHS Alumnus, and help make OUR school a more happening place! We have so many things going on from MANY alumni, and recognition is being brought to the school and the community every week! Let's do our part to help bring even more potential success to the current and future students!

We truly hope to hear from you! We have a chance to make HUGE additional differences in the lives of the students, the community, and the future of PCHS! Let's help those special teachers that made a difference in our lives continue to strive on for more! Thank you for being a part of the PCHSAA family!

Sincerely,

Milton S. Kubo ‘78
President 2003-2004
2003-2004 Fundraising Co-Chair

The Alumni Association is selling discount coupon books through a number of retail outlets. It contains more than $1000 in savings and some of PCHS's alumni members are among the participating retailers.



See this page for more details!

Gordon Arakaki shows up at the campus on Halloween as the Phantom of the Opera. Amy Watanabe assisted in handing out roses to teachers.

Mahalo
Your current board of directors did a fine job under difficult circumstances. I'd like to thank officers Ryan Hamadon (who doubled as School/Community Service committee chair), Sheri Marquina, and Linda Venenciano as well as committee chairs Mary Sensui (Database and Membership), Dean Sensui (Communications), Ken Ige/Bonnie Nakahara (Fundraising and Annual Dinner), and Lynn Tanaka (Scholarship) for all of their hard work. Special thanks to Mike Ishihara for being the glue that holds the PCHSAA together.

Several of our board members are retiring after years of dedicated service. Our heartfelt thanks go out to David Ige, K. Mark Takai, Terry Visperas, and Amy Watanabe for all that they have done and continue to do to help our alma mater.

Whazzup? Our Mission and Our Reality
In accordance with our bylaws, the purposes of the PCHSAA are:

1 - To provide resources ­ human, monetary, and other ­ for the improvement of the educational experience at Pearl City High School. By so doing, the PCHSAA will help Pearl City High School achieve its vision of producing students who are well-rounded, self-motivated, knowledgeable individuals who are prepared to deal with the challenges of life as contributing members of the school, community, and larger society.

2 - To provide a vehicle for its members to continue old relationships and to build new relationships with Pearl City High School, its faculty, administration, staff, classmates, and friends. Through activities, special projects, and communications networks designed to attract as wide a representation as possible, the PCHSAA will foster fellowship, goodwill, and pride within the Pearl City High School community ­ past, present, and future.

What does this mean in practice? How do we use your dues and donations? The reality is that we primarily use dues money for scholarships that we give to PCHS seniors every year.

Until FY 1999-2000, we spent quite a bit on producing, printing, and mailing newsletters. (Note: Communicating by e-mail makes the most sense from a cost and efficiency standpoint. If you haven't done so already, please make sure that we have your e-mail addresses. Thank you!)

Some money is also used to maintain the website and pay for various administrative expenses (i.e., printing, postage, materials). We have also given small gifts to the school.
We have tried to carry over the money initially raised when we formed the alumni association. In other words, we have tried not to touch the money raised by the alumni association in its first year and use it sort of like you would an endowment. This means that we must make activities during the year financially self-sufficient and/or raise funds during the year.

Activities during this past year included a "Homecoming Tailgate Party" in the Administration building courtyard, giving chocolates and roses to PCHS teachers for Halloween (see, picture of Amy Watanabe and me on page 1), holding a "Cookie Corner Fundraiser," awarding our millennium scholarship to PCHS senior Leslie Au, and chaperoning PCHS seniors at Project Graduation 2000.

A side note for mainland members
Except for the PCHSAA website (www.pchsaa.org), created and maintained by webmaster Dean Sensui, we do not currently have benefits for our mainland members. We are certainly open to any suggestions you might have!

Speaking of our website, please help us keep it fresh by sharing news about yourself for us to post. Just go to the PCHSAA website and click on "Feedback to PCHSAA." We look forward to hearing from you.

Final Observation
As with all organizations, particularly volunteer organizations, we need to make sure that we offer something of value to each participant. We also need to make sure that we don't burn out the core volunteers. To that end, we must continue to bring in new, active, members. At all times, we must assess whether there is enough interest and energy in our organization to keep it going.

Charles Kuralt once observed that "[l]ives have tributaries, just as rivers do . . . [y]oung torrents join old streams, to strengthen, and refresh, and renew." We look forward to the future as new members join, uh, more seasoned PCHS alumni, faculty, and friends to strengthen, refresh, and renew the PCHSAA. Through its members, the PCHSAA will live on. Let's make it happen.

Go Chargers!

Sincerely,

Gordon M. Arakaki '76
Phantom President, 1999-2000

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Hamadon gets a chance at being a millionaire
Ryan Hamadon, Class of 1987, won an opportunity to win a million dollars on ABC Television's "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" in February. He managed to get through clogged phone lines and beat out more than 200,000 other hopefuls to become the first Hawaii resident to qualify for the possibility of sitting in the coveted "hot seat".


Hamadon sports a "shaka" sign on the air.

Hamadon didn't manage to actually sit in the "hot seat" across from game show host Regis Philbin, but he said he found the whole experience exciting nevertheless. He said that despite not winning the big cash prize, he still enjoyed the all-expenses-paid trip to New York with friend Marcie Oshiro. They saw the Lion King on Broadway and even got a chance to do a bit of ice skating at Rockerfeller Center. He's back in Hawaii to resume his duties as the Alumni Association's Vice President.

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Puahala receives commendation from HPD

Robin Puahala, class of 1974, received a letter of appreciation from the Honolulu Police Department for his actions during a hostage standoff in Pearl City.

During a ceremony on February 22, Police Chief Lee Donohue presented the award to Puahala for remaining on the scene to help provide communications after other officers were fired upon when they attempted to serve a warrant to Wayman Kaua for parole and firearms violations. Donohue said Puahala and Officer Dennis Dupont provided valuable information to officers from the Specialized Services Division who later were able to bring an end to the crisis.

The Warrior Bronze Medal of Valor was awarded to Officer Daniel Aoki, Certificates of Merit were given to Officers Samuel Asui and David Brown, and a Letter of Appreciation also went to Officer Dennis Dupont.

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Car Wash fundraiser judged a success
Can there indeed be "too much of a good thing"? It almost was for the car wash crew at the Waipio MacDonalds on November 22, 1999.

Gordon Arakaki, PCHSAA vice president, estimated that wet and wild workers cleaned up about one car every 4.5 minutes. While it was busy from the start, things got even more interesting at the end of the day when volunteers had to leave for a variety of reasons, leaving six to finish up in the last hour. Still, they got the job done and there were no complaints from the small crowd of customers patiently waiting while munching on Big Macs and fries. Mahalo to those who worked so hard and to our valued "customers" who helped build our scholarship fund.

It is going to be a very exciting year for the PCHSAA. We have recently installed our new Executive Board, and with the assistance of our Board of Directors, plans are in place to make a positive presence in our school and community.

We have made a commitment to PCHS to contribute more of our time and energy to help "our" school to maintain the great reputation it carries and to continue to make PCHS the best school for students.

This year, we are working with Principal Gerald Suyama and Vice Principal Cohort Dale Castro on the Focus on Learning (FOL) project, an accreditation process PCHS is currently undergoing.

We have several fund-raisers planned to generate funds for PCHSAA's "Spirit of '99" Scholarship, and contributing to PCHS student activities, including Project Graduation '99.

We have this fantastic new website, with its own domain at pchsaa.org, created and maintained by our Webmaster Dean Sensui ('74) so alumni around the world can keep in touch with us via the internet.

If you would like to assist us in any of our efforts in the PCHSAA, please get in contact with us to join in the fun! Your continued support is sincerely appreci

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Principal's Report
by Gerald Suyama, PCHS Principal

The year before the new millenium is going to be a busy and exciting one. We are in the midst of working on the Focus On Learning process which is our school improvement and accreditation process. The accreditation visitation team will come to visit us in March of the year 2000. The four areas that our school improvement process will focus on will be:

Focus On Learning
This self study is a complicated system that requires the stake holders to give direct input to the school improvement process in the areas of Curriculum & Instruction, Organization for Student Learning, Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth, and Resource Management and Development. Your input is critical to our success.

Technology
We have completed the conduit installation and will be concentrating on finishing the wiring efforts we started. If you can help us, we certainly welcome your efforts.

SCBM
We will continue to improve communication and encourage participation into the FOL process on the part of the community and the parents.

System of Care
There will always be a strong attempt to generate a system of caring so that each student at PCHS will have the best opportunity to succeed. We have programs designed to handle problems in the social and emotional areas as well as the academic arena.

If you are a parent as well as an alumnus, be assured that we have a fine staff of caring individuals who put in many extra hours to build a better school for your child(ren). If you do not have a child at our school, rest assured that your alma mater is better than when you attended her hallowed grounds and we will continue to improve with your help.