Iolani Alumni

The Iolani Boys Cross Country team claimed the 2008 ILH Championship this past weekend by placing five athletes in the top 10, led by freshman Troy Esaki (second, 17:31) and senior captain Tyler Mulloy (third, 17:38, shown).

Up next for the team will be the Honolulu Marathon Cross Country State Championships which will be held at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the Big Island next week.

The Iolani Intermediate Football team captured the 2008 ILH Championship on Saturday afternoon with a 23-6 win over Word of Life at Kozuki Stadium on the Iolani campus.

Iolani finished their season at 6-1 with their only loss coming against Kamehameha (14-13) in the opening game of the season. The Raiders are led by head coach Ivan Suzuki ‘89 and alumni assistants Kevin Manuel ‘95, Greg Young ‘91, Gary Young ‘91, Dean Young ‘89, Eric Perkins ‘96, Blaine Kiyuna ‘93, Nolan Nakamura ‘92, Clint Onigama ‘96, Reinaldo Pacheco ‘98, Kawika Nakoa ‘02, Keone Nakoa ‘04 and Chuckie Nakoa ‘70.

[Photo: Honolulu Advertiser]

The 2008 Napa Ultimate Sports Trivia Challenge got underway this past Monday and there’s quite a few alumni are participating in the event which runs every morning for the next two weeks on ESPN 1420am during The Bobby Curran Show.

The contest challenges the sports trivia knowledge of local residents in a head-to-head format live on the air. Tune in to 1420am at 7:15am every morning to cheer your classmates on… Click here for the full bracket »

Iolani Alumni expected to compete in the 64-player bracket are: Mark Sumikawa ‘88, Brandon Sumida ‘88, Todd Yonamine ‘88, Jim Camacho ‘88, Jimmy Wong ‘88, Rick Takeshita ‘88, Pat Samsonas ‘93 (Please let me know if I missed anyone)

Team Shimamoto captured the 2008 Iolani Alumni League “A” Division Championship with a final record of 4-2, one game ahead of second place finishers Team Tanaka (’94/’95) and Team Hirata (’03/’04).

Team Shimamoto: Corey Yamashita ‘93, Dean Shimamoto ‘94, Adam Wong ‘94, Cord Anderson ‘99, Joe Udell ‘02, Bricen McCartney ‘08, Berton Wong ‘08, Taylor Mounts ‘08 (Not Pictured: Dean Shin ‘93, Travis Grobe ‘00)

Final Four Schedule: Friday, July 25
• 7:00pm - Downie ‘97 vs. Shimizu ‘06
• 7:50pm - Chun ‘80 vs. Pacheco ‘98

Third place and championship games will be played on Saturday, July 26 at 5:00 and 5:50 pm.

Event Date: Saturday, August 18th, 2007

Hunt down those tickets that came in the mail a few weeks ago and head over to Aloha Stadium to watch the 44th Annual Father Bray Memorial Football Classic this Saturday, August 18th.

Not only will you get to see two of the state’s top contenders for the Division II title face off in their first games of the season, but you’ll also have the added bonus of watching head coach Wendell Look ‘78 take on his former player and current Kaiser head coach Pat Samsonas ‘93 in the feature game which kicks off at 7:30pm.

Samsonas, a former student, player and assistant coach at Iolani School, is now in his third season at Kaiser after taking over as the head coach prior to the 2005 season. His staff also includes two other former Iolani players, Akoni Ah Yat ‘97 and Jay Marcouiller ‘02.

NOTE: If you can make it down a little early, the school is hosting a Pre-Game Tailgate Reception from 5:30-7:15pm just inside of Gate 5.

Natalie (Leung) Rodrigues ‘93, a 5th grade teacher at Mililani Waena Elementary School, was presented with the National Milken Educators of Hawaii’s first “Teacher of Promise” award. The award is given to a new teacher that demonstrates the “highest qualities of a professional educator.”

Natalie is currently married to Byron Rodrigues ‘93 and the couple have two children, Bailey and Isaac.

Diagnosed with moyamoya disease, a rare disorder which primarily affects children, Jennifer Nguyen, wife of alumnus Chad Kawamura ‘93 will be featured on the nationally televised news series, “Primetime: Medical Mysteries” on Wednesday night at 9pm on ABC.

Read the article (Honolulu Advertiser) »

If you haven’t heard them or of them then WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!… Well, the phenomenon known as Thick Tubes has been rockin the Hawaiian scene for several years now having just released their second album “Thick 2” earlier this year. (Recognize the face on the CD cover?… Any guesses?)

Photo: (clockwise from left) Dave Gonzalez, Steve Brady, Sean “Ulu” Scanlan ‘87, Pat Samsonas ‘93, Denny Ono ‘92, Darin Au and Jane Aromin

Funny what you can find on the internet these days… old files stashed deep on Iolani’s servers. See more »

Stage Band 3 1992-93 (shown): Back - Dean Uehara ‘93, Derrick Ford ‘95, Mark Miyasaki ‘95, Stephan Ichiriu ‘95, Nathan Chinen ‘94; Middle (seated) - Chad Otoshi ‘95, Gabe Ishida ‘93, Jan Okumura ‘94; Front (floor) - Alan Matsuda ‘93, Megan Kawatachi ‘93, Joni Motoshige ‘93

Ryan Kusumoto ‘93 (shown w/ business partner Michelle Onomura Kakazu) opened up Planet Fun out in Kunia nearly a year ago to cater to “tweens”, the pre-teen, post-toddlers that seem to have been left out by the fun activity world. Planet Fun offers a wide range of activities to appeal to everyone in the family including Karaoke, Video Games, Food & Treats and much more…

Stop by the Kunia Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart) for a try… and bring the kids!

Read the MidWeek article »

Corey Yamashita ‘93 married Jennifer (Sesoko) yesterday at the Halekulani Hotel amongst friends and family.

Pictured: Kyle Kurasaki, Tristan Takamiya ‘93, Michael Chow, Corey ‘93, Dean Shin ‘93, Kendall Fukumoto & Kyle Matsuyama

Daren Kimura ‘93 along with longtime friend Jonathan Yee recently opened the Kapahulu Kafe on Kapahulu Ave in the former home of Hale Noa (well known ‘awa bar which recently closed).

Stop in for some grinds, live music and, of course, a nice bowl of ‘awa…

Read Star Bulletin article »

The music is SOLID, but if you need another reason to pick up the album, know that Brent Nishikawa ‘93 is the drummer for the Bay Area’s premier island reggae band. With their hit songs “Heartache” and “Big Ship” receiving high rotation radio play on local hawaiian music stations, One Groove has received a ton of attention from locals here and abroad. Please support the cause.

Brent has two brothers, Jason ‘89 and Kevin ‘88 who both work as realtors at their family real estate firm, Marcus & Associates.

Buy the album »