Dec 12, 2017 Email from Baron

Aloha, All:

I hope this finds you and your loved ones well.

Here is an update on this Friday, December 15th Reunion at the Koolani Condominium Party Room, from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m., with Guests of Honor Cal Maeda and Jan Hirakawa.  Based on my scouting trip to take pictures, and guidance from host Bryan Yamashita, I have attached DROP OFF, PARKING INFORMATION & DIRECTIONS TO PARTY ROOM (removed details for this blog).

LIST OF 25 ATTENDEES:  Cal & Donna Maeda; Jan Hirakawa & guest Leighton Hatanaka; Condo Host Bryan Yamashita, Guest Performers Gail (Mack) Nowicki and Gordon Kim; Ron & Sherri (Uchida) Aoyama; Chicky (Loo) & Bernard Yuen; Peter & Steph Okumura; Debbie (Hamamoto) Shimizu; Gerry (Lee) & Glenn Nakamura; Lloyd Nakamura; Sharon Shimabukuro; Miles Ogawa; Baron Gushiken; Debbie “Dids” Ogata-Arakaki; Renee (Woo) Tomita; Mike & Sissy (Hirose) Harano

In addition, other friends will be joining us by messages.

POTLUCK ITEMS:  A number of you said you would help fill in where needed on items, so here is the list (so far):  Kalbi from "The Alley", BBQ Pork Sliders & Coleslaw, Fried Chicken, Alaskan Salmon Dish, Chili, Duck, Portuguese Bean Soup, Mango-Apple Bread Pudding, Garlic & Oyster Sauce Edamame, Assorted Soda, Limited Beer, Chilled Water, Ensure (kidding)
ITEMS HOSTED:  Plates (dinner and appetizer sizes), Bowls, Utensils, Cups, Napkins, Chopsticks, Serving Tongs, Serving Spoons, Ladles, Wine Bottle Opener, Bottle Opener

GENERAL PROGRAM:
  • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Check in, pick up Name Tags, Happy Hour (you may bring your own favorite beverage if not indicated), Light Refreshments, Music byGail and Gordon
  • 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Brief Introductions and Updates Around the Table
  • 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Blessing of the Food, Dinner interspersed by music and messages
  • 8:00  p.m.           - About Our Honorees....Cal Maeda and Jan Hirakawa
  • 8:30-9:00-ish     - Closing Thoughts, Acknowledgements, Prayer
  • 10:00 p.m.         - Clean Up, Clear Out:  Thanks, Bryan!

QUESTIONS:  Please call or text me on my cell at 551-1664 if you have any questions.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

A WORD ABOUT OUR TALENTED ENTERTAINERS, GAIL (MACK) NOWICKI AND GORDON KIM:   Because they are too modest to say anything even as they volunteered to perform, here are somethings you should know about our talented friends, who also met through the YMCA.
  • Website: GailandGordon.com
  • Latest CD:  "To a Gentler Time" is available on CDBABY (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/gailmackgordonkim), iTunes, and Amazon.  We twisted their arms and have asked them to bring CDs for those who need "stocking stuffers" or just want to add to their collection,
Gail Mack & Gordon Kim | To a Gentler Time | CD Baby Music ...
store.cdbaby.com
Our passion is creating simple but sweet music that is grounded in vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, and words that reflect our lives. We started singing in train ...
  • December Performance Dates:  If you would like to hear some music of our time, check out these performance dates:
    • GAIL and GORDON
    • Thursday, December 14, GrowlerUSA - 449 Kapahulu Avenue, $2 Parking in building; Phone:  600-5869
    • Thursday, December 21, The MIXX Bar and Grill - 434 Piikoi Street, Phone: 591-6499




Baron John Gushiken
Cell: (808) 551-1664
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Nov 11, 2017 Email from Baron

Aloha Friends,

I hope this finds you and your loved ones well on this Veteran's Day weekend.

40 years ago on November 9, 1977, we, the Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA Summer Fun Leaders of the mid-70's gathered for our first unofficial "reunion" at the services of our beloved friend, Linda Harano.  Subsequently, we would gather in small groups at flight departures to mainland colleges, college graduations, weddings, baby first birthdays, and other funerals for Lance Kagehiro and James Martin in 2005, Earlene Wong in 2006, and Helen Ushijima in 2013. 

Over the years, through the common experiences of club and summer programs by Cal Maeda when he was the Program Director at Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA, three couples married:  Ron Aoyama and Sherri Uchida, Michael Harano and Sistan "Sissy" Hirose, and Fumi Arakaki and Debbie "Dids" Ogata.  Two other friends of the Y, Gail Mack and Gordon Kim, got together first as friends then began a musical association starting with George Street in the 1980's, then evolving into Gail and Gordon in more recent years.

It is now time to celebrate and honor a 40 year association, initially forged by the tragic loss of a friend, that has transcended marriages, children, jobs, and other events.
Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA Summer Fun Leaders Reunion - Special Guests of Honor Calvin Maeda and Jan Hirakawa, Entertainment by Gail and Gordon
Date:  Friday, December 15, 2017
Times:  5:00 (Happy Hour), POTLUCK Dinner, and Reminiscing and Catching Up on Current Medication and Health Care till 10:00 p.m.
Place:  Koolani Condominium Party Room, 1177 Queen Street (parking details to follow) - Room hosted by Bryan Yamashita
RSVP by Reply to Email with number and name of guests and potluck dish or dessert by Friday, December 1, 2017.  Paper goods, utensils, and cups will be hosted in addition to containers for leftovers because we are old and practical.  Please be responsible for your own medication.
A revised Directory is attached. (Not included on this blog for confidentiality reasons.)  Please review your listing and send me any corrections, even if you want to indicate a Facebook or social media page or link.  Please send in your revisions by the RSVP date of Friday, December 1, 2017.

After the RSVP weekend, we will post a follow up email with the list of attendees, an updated Directory, and information on parking and Security check-in. 

If you are unable to attend, please send a current picture or holiday card with an update on you and your loved ones.  You may also include messages to Cal and/or Jan.

Mahalo for your friendship, support and patience as we set up the event, and we hope you can join us.  Take care and be well.  Aloha!



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