In the year 1943, thirty-three shy children entered the halls of Kaunoa. Yes, that class is now the class of '51. The children were: BOYS - Fred Bush, Stephen Cram, Roy Mabe, Malcolm Medeiros, Gerald Machida, David Mounce, Howard Nakamura, James Nakata, Sanford Ogawa, Ronald Omuro, Charles Ota, Michael Takahama, Harvey Takata, Roy Takakura, Ransom Wong, and Stanley Woolaway. GIRLS - Lois Bonnell, Jane Char, Goldwyn Cordiero, Barbara Foster, Amy Kadosaki, Patricia Lane, Ipo Moikeha, Ruby Murayama, Diana Nakama, Constance Omoto, Jan Priest, Diane Rego, Mildred Serra, Shirley Walsh, Dorene Wong, Roberta Lawson, and Beverly Newston.
Mrs. Neva Meloncon taught us in the second grade. Frank Kagawa, Peter Baldwin, Edwin Venhuizen, Lesley Ann Bruce, Harriette Leong, and Doris Matsumoto joined our class of '51 in that year. Malcolm Medeiros, Lois Bonnell, Goldwyn Cardeiro, Roberta Lawson, Beverly Newston, and Ransom Wong left us.
Our third grade teacher was Mrs. Ruth Doty. Roger Bartlam, Walter Holt, Guy Kinnison, Ramsay Downie, Michele Hedding, Barbara Ruch, Samuel Lyons, and James Griffen were our newcomers. No one left us.
Miss Nina Kirk and Mrs. Mary Riggs were our fourth grade teachers. This was quite a year. There were two separate fourth grades. Winifred Matsui, June Sakata, and George Ward joined Miss Kirk's group. Ellen Oliver, who left us in that same year, joined Mrs. Riggs' group. Sammy Lyons left us.
Again the Class of '51 was separated in the fifth grade. Our two teachers were Bernard Meighn, who was also our principal, and Miss Lillian Rautio. The people who joined Miss Rautio's room were Sharon Ruth and Robert Takitani. The newcomers in Mr. Meighn's room were Leona Rocha, Yvonne Yamane, Shirley Ann Ueoka, and Geraldine Makaena. Barbara Ruch, Michele Hedding, and Stephen Cram left us.
Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Lola Anderson were our sixth grade teachers. Old timer Sammy Lyons, Bill Singlehurst, and Karlene Kunz entered the halls of Kaunoa to join our class.
Jane Char, June Sakata, and Diana Nakama left us.
Mr. Yoshioka, Mr. Belt, and Mrs. Priest were our seventh grade teachers. Again we were separated. Mr. Belt taught for one semester then Mrs. Priest came to teach us. The people to enter Mr. Yoshioka's class were Merle Seki, Myrna Sato, Gladys Tamasaka, and our old friend Jane Char. No one came to Mrs. Priest's room. Karlene Kunz and James Griffen left us.
In our present year at Kaunoa, our teacher is Mrs. Priest. Carl Bauman, Frank Alameda, and Ted Nunes have joined our happy throng. Guy Kinnison left us.
Carl Bauman- baumanj1@alltel.net
Fred Bush - efbush@aol.com
Ramsay Downie - ramsaymacd@aol.com
Gerald Machida - gkemm@juno.com
Dave Mounce - pauhana@nc.rr.com
Howard Nakamura - howard240@hawaii.rr.com
Charlie Ota - charles@cochawaii.org
Myrna Sato - Shimeik001@hawaii.rr.com
Merle (Seki) Ouye-Momita - bsmomita@aol.com
Stanley Woolaway - swoolaway@hawaii.rr.com