| Boosters Gordon Lee ’63
and Harris Nakamoto ’75 welcomed invited
guests to this year’s awards luncheon
by sharing their personal experiences and the
meaning and import of ONE TEAM to them, both
while attending Iolani and in life after Iolani
(read
more).
Following a moment of silence in memory of
long-time Iolani coach Clement Hew, Nelson Moku
’91 then gave the invocation, noting that
while Sports Illustrated had recently recognized
an Hawaii high school’s athletic program
as the nation’s best, those present at
the luncheon knew which Hawaii school was truly
the best (read
invocation).
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Gordon Lee '63 |
Harris Nakamoto '75 |
Nelson Moku '91 |
Following lunch, this year’s ceremony
recognized 33 student-athletes selected by their
coaches as most exemplifying ONE TEAM. Each
was called to the stage where Coach Hamada and
Headmaster Iwashita presented them a plaque
commemorating their selection. More importantly,
the parents and coach of each awardee accompanied
them to the stage and, in recognition of the
parental support enabling them to attend Iolani
and to play sports, each awardee presented lei
to his or her parents. The Boosters Club also
presented each student-athlete with a copy of
the book The Ol’ Man.
Ben Almadova ’51 next took the podium
to surprise Douglas “Chucky” Nakoa
’70 with the Boosters Club’s ONE
TEAM Special Award. This award, not given every
year, recognizes an individual other than a
current student who demonstrates that ONE TEAM
values are truly lifetime principles.
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Douglas 'Chucky' Nakoa
'70 |
Among others we were fortunate to have attend
this year’s luncheon was the author of
The Ol’ Man book, Mr. Ronald Oba. Several
of the awardees were akamai enough to have him
autograph their copy of the book.
Headmaster Iwashita closed the event by congratulating
the awardees.
Then, as has become tradition, all the awardees
were asked to gather on stage to sing the Alma
Mater. This year they showed they could sing
both verses…impressive!
Many of those in attendance then pitched in
to help the Boosters clean up and restore the
Student Center to lunch and study hall configuration.
Some of the Boosters still present after that
were: Standing (L-R) – Gordon Lee ’63,
Carter Siu ’92, Leslie Loo ’75,
Harris Nakamoto ’75, Alvin Kishimoto ’75,
Peter Tawarahara ’75, Jim Yamashita ’59,
Randy Miyamoto ’74. Seated (L-R) –
Brian Sunada ’66, Lester Leu ’74,
Courtland Pang ’65, Ben Almadova ’51,
Ken Mukaigawa ’49, Harry Takane ’50.
Just some of the other Boosters spotted at
the event, but not pictured above, included
Coach Hamada ’46, Clancy Taoka ’49,
his brother George Taoka ’53, Wally Ho
’50, Richard Sakimoto ’46, Milton
Oshiro ’61, Jimmy Miyashiro ’61,
Wendell Hoshino ’58, Pat Tom ’62,
Dixon Mugiishi, and Nelson Moku ’91.
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