Hawai'i Ways, Hawai'i Days
Sitting in on a Moloka'i reunion
By Barbara Pidot-Guffey
Special to The Advertiser
I was 5 years old when my aunt, Blossom Baybayan DeSilva, graduated from Moloka'i High School in 1951, when she was voted the most popular girl in her senior class. Fifty years later, and minutes after Aunty's arrival at the Moloka'i airport on May 24, 2001, security people kindly directed traffic around her illegally parked rental car while she and classmates Lillian Watanabe and Katherine DeVictoria ran toward each other.
On Moloka'i, no one dares to interrupt kupuna when they're talking story, especially when they haven't seen each other for a long time. Other Molokaians smiled and nodded knowingly. All were aware of the upcoming events of the Memorial Day weekend, including the annual Moloka'i High School reunion.
I always enjoyed hanging around Aunty. ... As a child, I'd often sit in Apo Lady's (grandmother's) kitchen while Aunty and her friends gathered in the parlor to blend their musical talents in song and dance. Who needed a TV or VCR when one could experience live entertainment Moloka'i style — spontaneous, heartfelt, and good fun?
The Class of 1951 gathered at the high school to celebrate their 50th reunion with other alumni and the Class of 2001. I watched with amusement as the lively "seniors" — some with hearing deficits, visual impairment, benign forgetfulness and many with arthritic joints — assisted each other over the hurdle-like benches to sit at their assigned table to wala'au and kaukau.
Aunty wore a stunning purple muumuu, with flecks of maroon in her hair. Lillian sported a sassy blonde hairdo while others opted for natural gray. Violet Kakaio complained of a "bad hair" day. No one noticed because her lovely smile dazzled everyone. Mercedes Espaniola adorned her hair with a fresh gardenia, the class flower.
It was difficult to ascertain who was really listening because of simultaneous conversations, laughter and voice projections to accommodate the hearing-impaired. I, too, found myself shouting, having trouble hearing and forgetting what was said.
A nagging awareness reminded me that my own 50th reunion with the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1963 is only 12 years away. I thought: Will I remember then what I know today? Are forgetfulness and hearing loss age-related AND contagious, too? Will I frost my hair or wear a baseball cap to my reunion?
Dan Aquino, a 1951 alumnus, eloquently introduced his classmates onstage. They had earlier verbalized concerns of not having rehearsed satisfactorily. Last-minute changes were discussed while walking to the stage.
Many in the audience were unaware that improvisation defined the pre-1950's musical era. An inner knowing prompted Aunty and her classmates to reach beyond their perceived limitations and once again blend their voices in harmony, accompanied by William Aki on guitar and Fred Bicoy on trumpet. It was a "woo-woo, wow-wee, chicken-skin" performance.
I stood beside Fred's wife (my third-grade teacher), Evelyn Rose Bicoy, and Dan's wife, Charlene, as their eyes beamed loving approval while watching the "Mighty Seniors" sing and dance with polished style.
Few knew that Aunty had suffered multiple injuries from a traumatic accident years ago. Surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, fortitude and many prayers restored her to near normal mobility. Besides singing, dancing was a vital part of Aunty's life.
It was refreshing to see my niece Shyla Takemura (MHS Class of '91) and her husband Alex enthusiastically applaud Aunty and her classmates. Our applause was a humble acknowledgment of our freshmen status amongst the masters of life experiences.
Mahalo nui to the Moloka'i High School Class of 1951 for inspiring and teaching us that "friends are those who know the song in your heart and can sing it for you when you've forgotten the words." Hana hou!
Barbara Pidot-Guffey lives in Kane'ohe.
