PBS Hawaiʻi Classics is sponsored by The Olson Trust.

(natural sound) Charlotte Simmons: Hi, I'm Charlotte Simmons.

From nearly  any place in Lahaina, you see the big L on the hillside of Mount Ball.

What's it stand  for?

Lahainaluna.

In 1831, Lahainaluna, the oldest school west of the Rockies, opened its doors of  higher education to 25 male students.

In 1981, the alumni of Lahaina luna, bursting at the seams  with pride of their rich and colorful history, are gathering in Lahaina to celebrate  the school's 150th anniversary.

Like many others, Pau Hana Years salutes  Lahainaluna as we bring you the first day celebration of festivities and excitement  in honoring Lahainaluna's sesquicentennial.

(Singing) ʻO ka Malu ʻulu o Lele (Nō e ka ʻoi) Nā kualono nani ē (kū kilakila) Me ka ua kilikilihune (A ʻo Hālona) Hoʻopulu i ke oho o ka palai ʻO Lahaina, Lahainaluna nani Ka hōkū ū hele hoʻi o ka Pakipika Ipu kukuiʻa ā mau (Pio ʻole) I ka makani Kaua ʻula Hu ʻi anu ka wai ma uka (Wai piula) Ka ʻoē nenehe ike aumoe (ʻOlu ē) ʻAu ʻau nā manu o ka uka (ʻOka uka weli) Ho ʻolono i ka lei pelekani ʻO Lahaina, Lahainaluna nani Ka hōkū hele hoʻi o ka Pakipika Ipu kukui ʻa ā mau (Pio ʻole) I ka makani Kaua ʻula I ka makani Kaua ʻula For the many graduates who returned to Lahaina  luna for its 150th anniversary festivities, registration was at the top of their agenda.

After checking in at the Royal Lahaina Hotel, which was headquarters for many of the festive  events, including class reunion celebrations and the hospitality room get-togethers, there  was a continuous influx of graduates and their families arriving on the campus grounds, each  awing at the marvel of memories of yesterday that were so vivid and alive by just being  there today.

And of course, there wasn't anyone who didn't want a red or white T-shirt, or  school annual depicting the big celebration.

One exciting statement that was constantly overheard  was, "Oh, just like when we were in school."

What is Lahainaluna?

It's a high school out  of the ordinary.

It's a public high school with a boarding department, the only  one of its kind in the United States.

The tradition dates back to 1836, and  until 1980, only boys were boarders there.

In 1980, they opened the boarding  department to include girls.

Where do the students come from?

Throughout the  state of Hawaiʻi, from all of our major islands.

The most unique thing about Lahainaluna is that it  is the oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains, and since its beginning, many  milestones have come and gone.

One of the major changes was when Lahainaluna  went from the Hawaiian to the English language as the major medium of instruction in  1877 and by 1923 the school no longer was considered a special school, but became  a public high school for boys and girls.

In June of 1926, the first senior class  graduated after becoming a four-year high school, and by its 100th birthday, Lahainaluna had  successfully become part of the 20th century.

(multiple conversations) Jerry.

Oh Jerry.

(laughing) You might as well sign mine even if you – Yeah.

Yeah.

Here you can sign.

Oh, I wish I had brought mine.

That one is yours?

Did you sign my book?

I did.

I did.

I did.

Okay great.

Jerry, did you sign my book?

No, I didn’t sign yours yet.

Here.

We just meant the 1959 class.

Here 50s.

Whose one is  this?

That’s mine.

Oh, okay.

The 40s, you sign the 40s.

(laughing) ’44 right here.

Oh, you class  of ’53?

Who you?

Who you?

And remember class ’53 the best.

(laughing) Class of ’44.

Eh you know what they said, they going challenge.

Anybody want to challenge the ’53 class?

Nobody.

There’s nobody living in ’53.

Yeah.

Here, sign the book.

He’s at meeting.

Class ’53 the best  so they got to sign.

(laughing) Especially when you came back from the  airborne, you went directly to Honolulu?

No, I stayed over here one month, then I went LA.

All transported Lahainas.

All California.

Yeah.

You really took off right away then?

Yeah.

Because Pocho came back and he  worked the plantation one month.

Where?

Where?

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah, Pocho came back.

Oh you guys what, ’44?

It’s embarrassing, boy I tell you.

China.

(laughing) She’s not at Kahului.

She’s at the one in  Wailuku.

Right by St.

Anthony.

Oh, yeah.

Charlotte Simmons: The campus was like a tree in bloom with blossoms  of Lahainaluna's youngest and oldest graduates, and one of them was 92-year-old John  Ferreira, who came from California.

He was the first Caucasian to attend  Lahainaluna and is the oldest living graduate, Mr.

Ferreira, when you were in school  here, what did you enjoy doing the most?

John Ferreira: Throw the poi.

Throw the poi.

Yeah, poi.

You threw it away?

No, in the bowl.

Oh.

What just to play?

No, you eating, your bowl goes almost empty.

I threw the, fill em up again.

You mean you serve poi that way?

Yeah.

You roll it in a ball like?

Right in, over here down,  go inside the bowl.

Roll.

You pitched it right in the – In the bowl.

Yeah, fill them up.

You fill it up?

Yeah.

So, if I were sitting there eating  and say, “John, I want some poi.” I’d throw the poi.

You’d throw the poi.

(laughing) Did you meet the principal today?

Yeah.

Is he remind you of the principal  that when you were in school here?

No.

This boy is common.

Common.

Common.

Everyday,  down to earth.

Every day, down to Earth.

The other one was big shot.

Big shot.

In my time.

McDonald.

Very strict.

Oh, boy.

But this fella is common.

It’s so that you can grow up to be.. Yeah, this fella is just like you and  I. Oh.

He act like you and I.

(laughing) Is that good?

That’s good.

That’s very good.

So, what are you going to do today?

You going to be the grand marshal?

Grand Marshal.

You’re going to ride in the parade?

On the automobile.

Automobile.

And I’m going to wave.

You’re going  to wave hello to everybody.

(laughing) Mr.

Ferreira, are you a garoot?

Sometime, they say I am.

I wonder if the people know what garoot is?

They don’t know.

We better tell them.

A rascal, huh?

(laughing) Oh boy.

Who brought you to... You  don’t live in Hawaiʻi do you?

No, San Jose.

San Jose.

This grandson brought me.

Your grandson brought you?

Yeah.

Oh, that’s nice.

Wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here.

And so this is the first time  you came up here since 1907?

Yeah.

Yes.

And what do you think?

Oh, fine.

Very good.

People  are nice and everthing.

You proud to graduate?

Proud.

I’m proud by some... You proud you graduated from here?

Yeah, from this school.

It’s a wonderful school, eh.

Right.

Yeah?

You were the first Caucasian to come here.

Yeah, first.

They had only Hawaiian boys.

Yeah, more Hawaiian.

Two Japanese.

What other things did you do  here when you were in school?

Study.

Classes.

Same, I was a  Caruso of a... tenor.

Caruso.

Until I sing in the shower and I lost it.

You sang in the shower and lost it?

Yeah.

I shouldn’t have sang in the shower.

Mr.

Ferreira, did it go down the drain or what?

Ahh, lost.

Lost the voice?

See my voice is higher.

Uh-huh.

Yeah, that’s how it is?

So how did you go to school and  did you work anything over here?

Yeah.

Blacksmith shop.

Blacksmith shop.

Carpenter shop.

Carpenter shop.

Yeah.

Oh, so you’re going to have a good time now?

Oh, boy yeah.

Thank you so much for stopping and talking to me.

You’re very welcome.

Yeah, thank you.

What a garoot.

(laughing) Charlotte Simmons: When Lahainaluna Seminary was established in 1831,  David Malo, at the age of 38, was one of its first students.

After his graduation, four years later,  he became a teaching assistant at the seminary, and also aided King Kamehameha III in drafting  Hawaiʻi's first declaration of rights.

In 1841, Malo was appointed school  inspector and superintendent, becoming Hawaiʻi's first  superintendent of schools.

In 1961, the construction of one of Lahainaluna's  dormitories was completed, and was named the David Malo Dormitory for the renowned scholar,  teacher, preacher, historian, and poet.

Though he will be remembered for these many  outstanding traits, he will always be most remembered for the feelings he portrayed for  Lahainaluna when he wrote, O keia ke kukui pio ole I ka makani o Kauaʻula.

This is the torch  that the winds of Kauaʻula cannot extinguish.

(natural sound & conversation) Charlotte Simmons: Among the ceremonies during the 150th Lahainaluna  Anniversary Celebration Weekend was the dedication of the Modern Business and Science Building,  now being utilized by its present students.

Gregory Tacon: On behalf of the  students of Lahainaluna High School, I wish to extend our deepest mahalo to  Governor Ariyoshi and to all the members of the state legislature for making this  building possible.

And I'd also like to extend the appreciation of all our students that  use this classroom daily .

Once again, mahalo.

Governor George Ariyoshi: I'm really very pleased  today to have the opportunity to take part in many many dedications.

I think  that this is a very significant day because today we dedicated across the  street here a structure rededication, rather, a structure that is to be restored, one  that will be kept in its very old condition.

I was very interested in Mr.

Ariyoshi talking  about the other structure that is standing here, from which these students are moving out of into  more convenient modern facilities.

What it really means is that there are some things that we really  need to preserve in our community.

But we also know that modern conveniences are very important,  and that just as important as the opportunity for us to create some things that makes it possible  for us to meet the needs of today's community.

I'm very pleased to therefore to have had  a part in working with the legislature and providing the funds to make  possible a structure such as this.

Meyer Ueoka: Lahainaluna as you know, has a  history and tradition.

Just a short while ago, Hale Paʻi was rededicated.

You  know, I wonder if those people who had constructed that building and those people  who had utilized the building were here today, what they would be thinking of Hawaiʻi in 1981?

I  hope that the students can look back with pride, the traditions and history of Lahainaluna, so that  it can push them over and become better citizens in the state.

Thank you very  much for having invited us.

(applause) (marching band music at parade) May I welcome all of you to this opening ceremony.

Tonight's activity and the rest of the  weekend's activity culminates 19, 19 months of planning and hard work by the members of  the committee and our staff and students.

I'm truly proud to be a part of  this school and its proud history.

And I'm also proud to make this  presentation to Mr.

John Ferreira, who is 92 years old and who came all  the way from California to participate in our festivities as a grand marshal for the  parade.

Mr.

Ferreira attended Lahainaluna in 1907, and he was just a. He left school a week before  graduation to start work as a clerk in the old Paia Store.

And to this day, he has not  received a diploma.

And at this time, I would like to present a special certificate  signed by Mr.

Oishi to Mr.

Ferreira.

(applause) It gives me great pleasure, and I  take great pride introducing you to Kauʻi Zuttermeister and Emma  Kapiʻolani Farden Sharpe.

(applause) Pua Lindsey is at the helm of most  of the activities here tonight.

(applause) To her two special sisters, her friends in  the art, for Emma Kapiʻolani Sharpe of Maui and Kauʻi Zuttermeister of Oʻahu, for their  dedicated and unselfish sharing over the years, the significance, according to the ancients  of these islands, were basically religious, signifying light, knowledge given, knowledge  received, the light source, the beginning.

These torches were placed on ancient hula  altars to give added impetus to the neophyte students in the learning process.

May the art  of the dance of the people of these islands grow and grow and grow with them and  all of you for today and for tomorrow.

(applause) Hoʻo makaukau Pa (ipu playing) I ku mau mau I ku wa I ku mau mau Eō I ku mau mau I ku wa I ku mau mau Eō I hoʻokahi ka umauma Hoe (chanting in Hawaiian) (applause) Charlotte Simmons: The first day of a weekend of celebrating  and festivities of the 150th anniversary of Lahainaluna, the oldest school west of the  Rockies.

Please join us next week on Pau Hana Years as the celebration of festivities continues  at the Big L, Lahainaluna, on the island of Maui.

(singing) Where I live, there are rainbows.

With flowers full of color  and birds filled with song.

I can smile when it's raining  and touch the warmth of the sun.

I hear children laughing in this place that I love.

Where I live, there are rainbows.

With flowers full of color  and birds filled with song.

I can smile when it's raining  and touch the warmth of the sun.

I hear children laughing,  in this place that I love.