Iolani Alumni

Since opening on September 16th, the Honolulu production of Disney’s “The Lion King” has received rave reviews from Hawaii residents both young and old in its opening week and have many more eagerly awaiting their chance to see the elaborate production for themselves.

One Iolani graduate has already seen the show probably more times than she can remember, but not from the seats like everyone else… As the lone cheetah in the ensemble cast, Charlaine Katsuyoshi ‘94 is finally back home in the islands to perform for friends and family after being away for nearly 13 years touring with professional dance companies throughout the mainland.

KITV’s Pamela Young (and her “Mixed Plate” crew) caught up with the company on the road in St. Louis, Missouri and spoke with Charlaine about her time with the cast and explored the inner workings of her intricate costume. Watch the video »

Note: Charlaine is the younger sister of Iolani graduates Craig ‘85 and Clayton Katsuyoshi ‘92.

Iolani School has named Lance Watanabe the new head coach of the Varsity Softball Team. He succeeds former head coach Chris Shimabukuro ‘85 who stepped down in late March after nine seasons with the Raiders during which time he led the team to three ILH Championships and back-to-back state titles in 1999 and 2000.

Since 2004, Watanabe has been an assistant on the Iolani varsity staff, serving as the team’s batting instructor. Prior to his time with the Raiders, Watanabe served as the head coach at Wai’anae from 1995-2003. In 1996, he lead the Seariders to the OIA West title, but fell twice to perennial power Kailua in the OIA and State finals. For his efforts, Watanabe was named the OIA West and Hawaii State Coach of the Year in 1996.

With Watanabe at the helm, the Raiders will be looking to contend for an ILH title and improve on their 3rd place finish in the state tournament this past season. Iolani will return several starters in 2007-08 including outfielders Kryn Masutani, Raechele Takara and Jana Tokuhama, All-State second teamers Kylie Ahlo (2B) and Kai Masutani (C) as well as starting pitcher and early season ace Brittney Guro.

It was a season of “firsts” for the Iolani Girls Water Polo team this year as they picked up their first ILH championship, made their first state tournament appearance and won their first ever state championship defeating the Kahuku Red Raiders 11-4 in the finals of the 2007 Hawaii Girls Water Polo State Tournament. The win also marked the first state title for Iolani School in 2006-07. Not since 1985 has Iolani been shutout of winning at least one state championship during an entire school year.

The Raiders finished their season at 10-1 and will graduate seven seniors from their “short-handed” roster with two sophomores returning next season to defend their title.

Iolani is coached by by third-year head Linda Look and assistants Neil Kuioka ‘00 and Ian Kusao ‘02.

[Photo: Honolulu Advertiser]

Iolani Softball Coach Chris Shimabukuro ‘85 has stepped down after 9 seasons with the Raiders during which time he led the team to three ILH championships and back-to-back state titles in 1999 and 2000.

This season, the Raiders finished 2nd in the ILH and 3rd in the state, reaching the semifinals of the 2007 Hawaii State Softball Tournament before falling to the Mililani Trojans.

While there was no reason giving for the resignation, Chris said (in a press release by the school) “I am grateful for the opportunity that ‘Iolani School gave me and I have enjoyed the experience very much. It is time to give someone else this wonderful opportunity.”

A successor has yet to be named for next season when the Raiders return several starters including outfielders Kryn Masutani, Raechele Takara and Jana Tokuhama, All-State second teamers Kylie Ahlo (2B) and Kai Masutani (C) as well as starting pitcher and early season ace Brittney Guro.

[Photo: SportsHigh.com]

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the basketball team as of late, but don’t forget about the Iolani Softball Team who is currently tied atop the ILH standings with the St. Francis Troubadours at 6-1 (Iolani beat them earlier this month 5-2). The Raiders are led by ace pitcher Britney Guro and nearly the entire Masutani family (Kaz ‘07, Kai ‘08, Kryn ‘10). Make sure you keep track of them as they move into the second round…

Oh… and don’t forget about the spectacular alumni coaching staff led by head coach Chris Shimabukuro ‘85 and assisted by Al Inaba ‘84 and Clem Hew.

Dr. Grant Fusato ‘85 has been helping people improve their eyesight for the past several years now, opening his own optometry practice in Stadium Mall shopping center in Halawa.

He is currently married to wife Michelle and has two wonderful children, the oldest of which, Landis, attends Kindergarten at Iolani School.

Earlier this year, a small contingent of Iolani alumni went on a two week “business exploration” tour through China where they examined emerging markets in Hong Kong, attended the Canton Fair in Guangzhou and met up with fellow alumnus Sam Lawn ‘96 in Shanghai.

Shown in the photo: (left to right) Derek Ichiyama ‘88, Jimmy Wong ‘88, Greg Sekiya ‘88, Tom Park ‘96, Brad Anderson ‘99, Trevor Benn ‘92, John Hall ‘85, Dean Shimamoto ‘94, Cord Anderson ‘99 and Adam Wong ‘94