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]

Senior Reid Furukawa ‘08 and sophomore Jenna Wong ‘10 captured gold medals at the 2008 ILH Track Championships this past weekend at Kamehameha Schools.

Furukawa won the long jump with a distance of 21 feet, 11 inches. A few weeks ago he captured the gold medal at the prestigious Punahou Invitational and has a personal best of 22 feet, 4 inches, just 2 inches shy of the the Iolani long jump record (22 feet, 6 inches) held by Eddie Kealoha ‘88.

Jenna Wong ‘10 won the 3000 meters with a time of 10:57.93, more than 9 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. She is currently ranked 2nd in the state and, along with Furukawa, will be looking to capture the gold at the 2008 Hawaii State Track & Field Championships on May 16 & 17 at Mililani High School.

At the 2007 State Championships, Furukawa and Wong finished 3rd and 2nd respectively.

[Source: Erin Furukawa '98, Photo: Rick Wo (via Furukawa)]

Three recording artists with Iolani ties will be honored later this month when Johnny Kai and his Music Foundation of Hawaii present the 11th Annual Hawaii Music Awards at the Winners’ Banquet on March 15.

Best Contemporary Hawaiian Music Album: Paul Shimomoto ‘86, “Sentimental Alibi”

Best Island Contemporary Album: Mighty J, “Calling Out” (featuring Tiki Suan ‘94)

Best Pop Music Album: SDIB (San Diego Island Boys), “SDIB” (featuring Jeff Iwashita ‘98)

A new champion was crowned on Wednesday night when Red Division Champion Team Tanaka defeated Black Division Champion Team Hirata 64-55 in the title game of the 2007 Iolani Alumni Basketball League. Kanoa Leahey ‘95 and John Stepien ‘95 led the way for Team Tanaka with 17 and 15 points respectively. Kyle Pape ‘05 and Ryan Hirata ‘04 pitched in 20 and 18 in a losing effort.

In the battle for third place, Team Pacheco defeated Team Kawahara 42-28.

2007 Iolani Alumni League Overall Champions (left to right): Josh Obrey ‘94, Doug Lange ‘94, Kanoa Leahey ‘95, John Stepien ‘95, Micah Banton ‘95, Mark Ambler ‘95, Jerry Tanaka ‘95

Continue Reading »

“Roll Call” is the latest addition to the Iolani Community to help promote the businesses owned, run or managed by Iolani Alumni. Each edition will focus on one particular industry with the hope of locating (with your help) every alumnus that earns their living within that industry. The “Roll Call” will begin with a few familiar names to get things started, but it’ll be up to you to help finish the list.

If you know of any alumni missing from the list… Please leave a comment with their name and class.

• Trevor Benn ‘92 - Principal Broker, Benn Pacific Real Estate
• Greg Andrasick ‘92 - Benn Pacific Real Estate
• Jason Nishikawa ‘89 - Vice-President, Marcus & Associates
• Kevin Nishikawa ‘88 - Vice-President, Marcus & Associates
• Chad Takesue ‘94 - Prudential Locations
• James Chan ‘98 - Prudential Locations
• Scott Fujiwara ‘88 - Principal Broker, Island Realtors
• Denise Miyahira ‘88 - Island Realtors
• Corey Kawai ‘88 - Island Realtors

(Note: Your first comment will need to be moderated, so it may not show up right away, but once one has been accepted, you’ll be able to post in real-time after that.)

Danny Kimura ‘97 hit 3 HOME RUNS IN ONE INNING back on May 13, 1997 in an ILH regular season game against the Damien Monarchs. Unbelievable?… Believe it.

Kimura, a pitcher and 3rd baseman for the Raiders, was named the 1996 Hawaii State Player-of-the-Year and a first team all-state selection in 1997 when he hit .534 with 9 home runs and 35 RBIs and was 4-0 with 2 saves.

The 1997 Iolani Baseball Team finished the season with a record of 23-1, winning their second consecutive state championship (of three) and earning a #6 ranking by Baseball America and a #17 ranking in the USA Today Top 25.

Other members of the 1997 team: Arizona All-American and minor-leaguer Keoni Derenne, freshman All-American and UH standout Gregg Omori, UH pitcher Ryan Yamamoto, BYU stars Kainoa Obrey and Doug Jackson as well as ILH standouts Corin Korenaga, Thad Estrada, Scott Tajima, Jeff Iwashita, Erik Yamamoto, Kanoa Fong & Mike Colosimo

Mr. Who?… Mr. U!

Current Student Activities Director, Kirk Uejio ‘98 was named the 1998 Hawaii State Player of the Year in basketball after helping the Raiders win the state championship in his senior season.

Though his numbers weren’t gaudy, “Mr. U” was the unquestionable leader of a talented Iolani squad which featured 6-4 twins Cord and Brad Anderson as well as 6-7 center Shawn Christensen. With the ball in his hands, Kirk commanded the court, organizing and directing teammates each time down the floor like a general in the armed forces… Whatever the mission, he made sure it was accomplished.

From the Star Bulletin:

When the situation required him to hurl his body into the bleachers in pursuit of a loose ball, he did it… If it required a pickpocket steal, he got it done… If it meant hitting the 3-pointer when the whole season hinged on it - as it did in the last minute of regulation in the state championship against Kalaheo - he hit it…

After graduating from Santa Clara University in 2003, Cord and Brad Anderson ‘99 (shown, Star Bulletin) have since moved into the “family” business joining their father Brian as partners in Anekona LLC, a real estate development firm which has been featured in the press as of late for their purchase and planned renovation of the historic Ilikai Hotel.

Former 1998 Hawaii State Basketball Co-Players of the Year (along with Kirk Uejio ‘98), Cord (center) and Brad (left) are now part of the management team for Anekona and oversee several of the company’s current projects which includes The Ilikai as well as The Regency on BeachWalk, the Kauai Beach Resort and the W Hotel in Honolulu.

Read the Honolulu Star Bulletin article, “Andersons tackle Ilikai Renovation” »

Two Iolani alumni are featured on the new websites for Servco, Hawaii’s local Toyota/Lexus dealer.

Trevor Benn ‘92 and wife Rae (Ifuku) Benn ‘92 are featured with their two children, Tyler and Malia on the home page of the Servco Auto Centers website. Trevor is currently a REALTOR with Honolulu Realty and Rae is a Controller at Ohana Pacific Management.

James Chan ‘98, Realtor-Associate with Prudential Locations and co-founder of Walk Fantastic Surfboards, is shown on the home page for Servco Auto Honolulu (formerly Toyota City).

Ikaika ‘96 and Kamuela ‘98 Kahoano released their debut album on Wednesday under the name Green Light Go and according to Wayne Harada of the Honolulu Advertiser, the group “deserves breakout success.” For the album, Ikaika, of former “Making the Band” fame, handled the vocals while Kamuela took care of the production duties, making his debut on this release.

Check them out on the KHNL news:

Throughout this amazing journey they call life, James Chan ‘98 (shown left), a realtor-associate with Prudential Locations, and Erik Yamamoto ‘99 (shown right), a teacher at Iolani School, learned that “there is much more to the affable essence of a permanent smile in the ocean than forcing your favorite board in unfavorable conditions.” So, in order to maximize the “fun”, the pair along with a friend, Chad Sakumoto (Punahou), created their own company to shape boards that’ll keep you smiling and enjoying life.

Walk Fantastic, an idea, a dream, a reality; to create boards that maximize fun with an eye to soul, style, and function. Handling customers as their friends, there is a piece of each of their hearts in all of their original shapes because in the end it comes down to one truth: In surfing and in life, You Gotta Walk Fantastic!

A quick collection of gift ideas from Iolani-owned businesses (that I know of):

Great Harvest Bread Company - Kahala, Downtown, Kailua, Aiea - Pick up a gift basket or gift bag from one of their 4 locations throughout the state. They’re sure to please… View their 2006 Holiday Brochure »
Related Alumni: Adam Wong ‘94, Brian Ah Yat ‘94, Anson Shimabukuro ‘94, Justin Walthall ‘96

Crack Seed Center - Ala Moana Center - Pick it up at the store or make a purchase online. They have bunch of gift baskets to choose from including the option to create your own. Gift Certificates available as well. The Perfect procrastination pick… Express Mail Shipping available until the 20th!
Related Alumni: Bryan Li ‘96

Leather Soul - Downtown, Waikiki - Need a great gift for the business professional that seems to have it all?… Leather Soul is the perfect place to find high-end footwear that will never go out of style. Gift Certificates available.
Related Alumni: Tom Park ‘96

Hawaiian Hardball - Online - If you’re a baller in Hawaii, or you know one, then this maybe the perfect gift. Hawaiian Hardball has a complete line of baseball related apparel and accessories for men, women and keiki. Shipping is available, though I’m not sure if it’ll get there in time for Christmas, but I’m sure if you really need it, Jay will take care.
Related Alumni: Jason Arakaki ‘87

Iolani Store - Iolani School - Couldn’t find anything in red and black after spending hours at Ala Moana?… You’re in luck. The Iolani Store has got you covered. Shipping is available, but if you can’t afford to wait for them to ship it, drop by the Iolani Book Store for a pickup instead. (They are closed on Friday of this week for the holidays.)
Related Alumni: Kirk Uejio ‘98

That’s all I could come up with. Please post more in the comments…

Ryan Yamamoto ‘97 and Mandy Tomita ‘98 were married early this past summer during a small ceremony which included several of their closest family and friends.

Ryan is a licensed contractor and currently works with his father at their family-owned construction business, RMY Construction. He is also a partial owner of the popular restaurant/nightclub, Osake Sushi Bar & Lounge. His younger brother, Erik ‘99, is in his second year of teaching at Iolani and his youngest brother, Corey ‘01, is employed as an engineer.

Mandy is a financial advisor with American Express and in her spare time is an assistant coach for the very successful Iolani Swim Team.