So Many Memories!

hello family

its been a very long time. reading all your posts have brought back so many memories.who remembers pratices in aunty pats garage and hopping the fence to the school across the street on saturday afternoons when we were done and didn't have a performance?uncle fonzie's red surburban, aunty moana's green van, can't forget uncle franks truck.what about our laps around Scobey Ave, squeezing into the bedrooms and bathrooms at aunty's house trying to get ready for a performance or squeezing in aunty's living room for practice before the addition was built.

Who can forget the partions falling down when the boys were bathing at awaiolimu ward on our trip to hawaii in 78 So many good times with all of you. Can't wait for the reunion, contact me if I can help in anyway.

Love you all,

Kealoha

This is kinda what the bus looked like that we drove to UT in... remember us little kids had to ride in the luggage rack area?

One of my fondest memories was when we went to St. George Utah. I remember we had to get a hitch because the bus could not accommodate all the luggage we had. We left late at night about 10:00 p.m. because we tried to find the hitch and nothing was opened. But we were able to find one. Then on our ride there we would sing - oh what memories! The song that stands out in my mind was "Kua iti te marama" taught to us my "Turepu Turepu" from Rarotonga. His group stayed at our house because they were stranded from money embezzlement. They were there for about a week and a half. I remember they performed for us at and we for them at the Japanese Community Center in Gardena.

We went to Utah to open the new Stake Center. I don't remember the name of the Stake Center? But I do remember waking-up early in the morning to eat breakfast at a restaurant called the "The Home Spun." Then we met a couple that served their mission in Hawaii. They came on the bus to say aloha and to ask if our "opu" was "nui nui" after eating a wonderful breakfast. Everything was home made and fresh from the farm. It was so "Ono!" Then we went to Zion National Park and sang at the "Arch." I remember the canyon echoed our song! It was "AWESOME!" I remember when we went through a tunnel carved out the side of the canyon. It was an awsome trip!

Another incident I remember was when we went to "Catalina Island." We all got sea-sick! It was an overcast morning when we boarded the ship. The trip was rough with choppy waters. Then we arrived at "Avalon" to refuel. After, we sailed along the coast line to "Two Harbors" were we performed and slept in bunkers! When we arrived we had to transfer to a small boat which took us to shore. It was a trip to transfer all our luggage and footlockers of costumes because the waters were so choppy. Then someone was chased by a "Buffalo!" There were buffalo chips all over the place. I remember the island to be parched and barren - brown grass everywhere. It was a trip to remember!

Squeeky

I remember days when we were younger

The Ipu farm in San Diego.

Grandpa Fu's friend owned an ipu farm.... we went down to San Diego and picked out ipu s and Grandpa Fu taught us how to cut it, clean it out, sand it and stain it.

Squeeky (half of his nose and mouth Ha!),Ulu, Kealoha & Kela

Keola...
Full of life, laughter, music & Fun....

I remember staying at the Muaina's house and listening to him play the piano and sing with his deep clear voice. I was about 7. His song would ring throughout the house. I would lay on the white furry rug and fall asleep to it...His favorite sayings back then? "bzzzz." "O How Rude", "Getcha?"

The Changs House...scobey Ave

Giddy boy
One day he was caught sitting in the middle of Aunty Moana's bed.

Sitting inside one of her muu muu's

"Giddy boy! What are you doing?".... Giddy boy said... "I stay camping"

Kalama & Uncle Frank....

Remember the shave ice? I still have Mom & Dads shave Ice machine!

come on over!

Chinese chicken salad, chicken wings, teriyaki, Chow mein, macaroni salad and carrot cake...Dont forget the RICE!!!

(Yes, Squeeky... I owe you the recipe to the Chicken Salad!!!)

I Loved having visitors at our home!

Uncle Al & Uncle Tommy at Kiki's house

My Parents would go all out with Food, Food, Food, ...

we ate till we were about to bust!!!

The Fuchigami house

The group at our home meant....

No practice, It was a free for all

and we could do whatever we wanted &

not get busted for messing around!

....no duck walks here!

Fuchigami house

Is there any other way to describe this, but...

F.O.B

Gardena Church Building

Aghhhhh PURPLE!!!

Lani & Kie (?)

O leilani leilani.....O Leilani Leilani..... Sweet Leilani....

Oh wow ... vintage yeah?

I Remember Days when we were younger......

What do you remember?

Send me some Kalani Islander pictures!

Photos courtesy of Aunty Aggie

Wow!!! What do you think guys??

Aunty Let, Uncle Tommy Aunty Moana & Uncle Frank

Remember the Purple Polyester??

Not the Ron Taguchi shirts!!!

Uncle Tommy, Uncle Frank, Kalanikai, Aunty Moana & Kimo

Tonga
Norma & Kela take over with Hopo E La'a while the little, little girls finished off Sii Matangi
Kilohana, Leilani & Konia
Fiji

Kelii, Malosi, Keoni & Bruce

Kukuna, Kalola, Ulu, Temina, Kapeka

Tahiti

Ulu, Meiling, Kealani

This is just a taste of whats out there? I had to dig in my moms photo boxes to get these and Im scanning more.... get your pictures out and send them my way & any fond memories or fun stories!

Who remembers the Green Footlockers, Uncle Franks Primered black truck, the Green Van, the Green house on Scobey Avenue? Song practice on Friday nights & Dance practice on Saturdays? Dusting the dolls in the doll room, the dogs Moki, huapala, & ele ele? Uncle Franks wire people? singing to the waves? Duck walk in the fields, massaging Aunty Moana's feet, fruit salad, E oluolu o kou e kala mai iau maka pa'aina? Alpha Beta juice? Pot lucks, Kentucky fried chicken, making plates for your partner, standing when a woman enters the room?
Makakilo Hill...I could go on for days?

Good times!

"Old School"

Kalani Islanders

Ho'olaulea 2008

"30 year Anniversary"

Kekela, Lori, Leilani, Squeeky, Lehua, Aunty Moana & Kela

Its been 20 years since we've been together!

Photo courtesy of Kilohana

Lehua, Kela Ulu, Kuulei

(The Little girls and the medium girls)

We sang & Danced... some of the dances we kinda forgot... Kapeka ...Where are you????

This time in my life was one that I will never forget. This was my Life for over 10 years. This, is what made me... what I am. I learned about my culture, music, dance, I can pick any part thats missing and sing it, play music by ear. I can read a persons mood and know when the slippers gonna fly at my head, I have learned that the best remedy to life is to Laugh.

I have made long lasting friendships and would love to pick up some old ones where we left off.....

I've heard there's a Reunion in the future!.... If your interested please leave your information or keep checking in for updates! It's being planned for next year..around this time.

Do you remember our Show opener? Ports of Paradise?? Anyone else get nervous when the song starts to play? Can't tell you what it makes Leilani think of?

After 20 years +, It seemedas though we walked away from Friday night practice the night before. Not too bad for a 20 year break?

This is just a work in progress... in time I'll get it looking good! If you have a blog leave your website and I'll put it on as a shortcut.

Anyone who has pictures of the group in the 70's & 80's send them to me along with current pictures! leave a comment with your email and I'll get in contact with you! Send this blogspot to other Kalani Islanders....and lets get this going!

Aloha