Hundreds of MHIS Alumni Gather

The 41^st Annual MHIS Alumni Association Senior Luau and Class Reunion was held at the high school gym Saturday night. About 100 graduates from the class of 2007 were present as well as classmates of the Class of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997. The Albert and Evan Inaba scholarship and other awards were awarded to graduating seniors. There was fun-filled entertainment presented by each reunion class, with singing, dancing, and even a little exercising.  Laughter and cheers filled the gym of approximately 450 students, parents, friends, and families, the largest attendance ever. 

Each year, the Albert and Evan Inaba Scholarship awards four graduates with scholarships; two $500 vocational and two $1000 academic scholarships. The Albert Inaba Scholarship began in 1967 in honor of the late Albert Inaba. Albert Inaba was the Principal of MHIS from 1941 to 1966. From 1967 to 2007, the Albert Inaba Scholarship has given approximately $75,000 to 80 recipients. The scholarship is funded by donations by MHIS alumni. The purpose of this scholarship is to give students the opportunity to further their education. The first recipient was Donna Tamanaha, who became a lawyer. Over the first 20 years, one $500 academic scholarship was awarded annually. Later, an additional $300 vocational scholarship was added. When MHIS celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 1989, the annual awards were increased to two $500 vocational scholarships and two $1000 academic scholarships. This year’s recipients were as follows: 

Justin Neuhart – $1000 academic

Zaneta Whitten – $1000 academic

Tiana Conley – $500 vocational

Deisha Pico – $500 vocational 

For three years, the Urban Patacsil Family Scholarship of $500 was awarded to a graduating senior. The 2007 recipient was Ariel Keanini. Jocelyn Patacsil was a 1983 recipient of the Albert Inaba Scholarship. This scholarship created by Jocelyn was to thank the school and give a graduate help towards a higher education. Congratulations to all the 2007 recipients! 

To give you a little history, this event first began in 1967 as a senior luau to honor the graduates. It is traditionally held every year on Memorial Day weekend. In 1978, as an added highlight to the luau, MHIS Alumni Association started class reunions corresponding to the last digit of the current year, and alternating 10 years. For this year, using the 7 in 2007, this year’s class reunion were Classes of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997. The weekend was packed with scheduled activities starting as early as Thursday. This was a time when classmates come together and catch up on things and reminisce.