ewa beach late 60's

General Discussion
981

Aloha to Issac, Shark Country and Oneula,

Sorry for the ong delay in response to you additions. Swaylocks used to send me the latest additions to the site, but hasn’t for some time, so I thought that no one been writing. Alama brothers, thanks, I was wondering who some of the regular writers were. For sure we can meet up a the reunion. I remeber the names, but cannot remember any faces. Maybe John Abilla talked about you guys, were you part of that group of guys? Dean Ornellas and others? At the reunion, can renew freindships and make some new ones also as we all have so much in common.

Isaac,

I’m so stoked you got to meet my son. I saw him but he didn’t say anything about meeting one of my old friends. Gotta ask him about it. I’m hoping he’ll come to the reunion with me, so he can meet my gang and all the guys that I looked up to in the surf. Pretty amazing with Natalie staying at your daughters house also. I married her and Cord and am best freinds with her dad and mom.

I can read the old stories all day long and remember most of what people write, though some was different generation that mine. I will talk to Craig to see if he wants to come over… what about Mel Conception? is he coming? Hopefully all the boys from the mainland, and outer islands are coming over for this, sounds like it will be a big deal. For sure not to miss. Not going to get room on the beach for any one else. Plus, what about in the water? All those EB guys, every one else going in.

                                         ButchP

982

Aloha Cleigh, just keeping in touch.  Yes, this reunion is growing everyday.  I need to mention a start time just for administration purposes.  I recommend on or about 1100 am for lunch however, I do recommend that people show up early as it gets very crowded as the morning wears on especially if theres a south swell in (I hope). There are a few picnic tables I think about four or five in the cabana that we have.  I have nailed down a couple of my friends to play Hawaiian music during the lunch period perhaps 2 hours or so.  Anyone else who would like to play music is welcomed.  By the way, no glass containers are allowed in the area, gotta be cans for beer.  More to say but gotta get back to work.  Talk later, Mike

983

Mike! Thanks for the update. Between Mel, Mike B.and myself I believe we have the shirts down. Mike also wondered abouit numbers for shirts too! Mel and I will MC and really brah, we will allow anyone who wants to address the people to do so (jus no take up all da time ). Any hows gotta gfo too!

984

Eh Butch, Oneula grad in '74 and I grad in '76. We went to da school for Hawaiian kids where Cleigh and Cal went after EB elem. Cal was a senior when I was a freshman. George Ku was Cal’s classmate and is a friend of ours too. Sometimes we see him at Officer’s Beach. I used to see him in town, but haven’t seen him for a while.

Oneula is Bernie Alama, and was classmates with Gooney, Tony Bacalso, Kimo Kauihou, HF, Mikey V. and other kids at EB elem school. I am Harry and was classmates with Scott Kauihou, David Arioli, Joey Gaynor and others at EB elem.

We weren’t too familiar with the Campbell HS guys or the Pohakea Elem kids unless they played little league baseball when we were younger or surfed SC a lot. We know Jon, Myron and the Mitsiasu family from little league days and the beach. Jon Abilla and Dean Ornellas was our generation, but I don’t think Bernie knows them as well as I did. I think he was already going to college in Seattle.

Names of people our age I remember… Randy and Glenn Santiago, the O’Reilly kids, Gaynor boys, Arioli, Bacalso, Kauihou, Kelly Ikehara, Hanagami/Inoshita/Wong, Nied, Langley, Akiona, Rust, Tournquist, Hanaoka, Ando, the Dias family, Ontai, Thompson, Oyama. Jon and Jonathan Crouch are a few years older. Ricky and Randy Keir, Skip ?. Roland and Daniel Silva, Ayala boys, There were other guys I hung with when were young but they didn’t surf. I stayed closer to the ones that did surf.

We also have an extended family that would stay at one of the 4 beach houses for the weekend, but didn’t live in EB. There’s several familes we grew up with down at SC who would consider that a very big part of their lives.

Check this video out. I shot when I was a Channel 2 news cameraman.

985

Shark Country,

Grad 1971 same with Frank Aragon… my wife Winter graduated Campbell class of 74 so same grad year as you. In between my two sisters Lori and Lela who still live on EBRoad. Some of the old timers still there. I checked out you Shark Country video, classic. I see Debbie Bowers regularly, her and her family live in Waialua, got some shots of her, she’ll be stoked to show her husband and 2 boys. I know most of the names from your time and see some, Kimo K. and Tony B. pretty regular and also Mikey V. when he comes to visit, David and also Leonard Ontai sometimes. Lots of surfers from that generation. See Joey Gaynor sometimes if I go to Shark Country. That great swell last summer saw one of the ORiley boys, cannot remember who and one of the Okumura’s ,John.

Always good to see Ewa Beach gang. I see Rahph Palmeira pretty often up here. One time this year saw Marshal Crum, been a long time.

ButchP

986

Butch, I haven’t seen Debbie since she switched over to the Fire dept. I saw her often when she was a lifeguard on the south shore.

Joey said that swell last year had some of the best surf he’s seen out there in all our years. He rated it as the top 3 swells he seen out there. I should have gone home, but I stayed in town. Waikiki was all time too. Castles and outside publics were really good. 

I just saw Ralph at Courts the day after the 4th of July. We scored really good waves and glassy conditions. Surfed 4 hours that day. He should be coming to the reunion.

When I was in elem school we’d go down the beach house to see my dad’s aunt on weekdays and I’d go walking down the beach in front of SC while my mom was talking to her. Marshall would often be body surfing the shore break or playing on a skim board. His sister and I were classmates and she’d be there too. She was friends with Eliza, the daughter of the Ewa Plantation park keeper Reno Aleviado. Sometimes Marshall’s sister and I would walk down to sandtracks. I think her name was Sabrina. I was probably 4th grade or 5th grade then.

There was another family that took care of the CPC park next to the Ewa plantation park. I can’t remember their name but the oldest daughter was my brother’s classmate. The Park family who owned the chicken farm was a part of our extended family too. Joe Park’s brother is the man I was named after. He was my dad’s close friend. Robin Park was a part of the surf crew. She married Beauford Helm. I haven’t seen her for 20 years.

987

“There was another family that took care of the CPC park next to the Ewa plantation park. I can’t remember their name but the oldest daughter was my brother’s classmate.”

 

Her name is Lenore (nora) Oasay


back then along with Donetta Dias were two of the cutest tomboys of our ewa beach elementary class.

i saw Lenore beat up a couple of wise mouthing teasing classmates back then by her house fronting the Del Monte beach club by chicken creek.

in 4th grade i ran into Donetta’s elbow playing hide and seek and ended up meeting the dentist by tanaka store.

And Bobby Wong’s daughter was Ruth Wong whom I haven’t seen since 6th grade.

Donetta went to KS with us and I ran into Lenore(Nora) at FHB when I was there I think she’s still at FHB.


i may be wrong but it looks like mr nakashima our 6th grade teacher just passed away. I don’t think he ever forgave himself for karate punching a cracked open closet door into my face that Myron M set up. Myron was the syndicate leader of our class back then. How ironic that Myron Mits works for KSBE these days.

In 64-65 there was a real pretty Japanese fourth grade teacher that was a part of a big local girl pop group(not Liz Damon) back then. I think we were all in love with her…

it was sad getting shipped off to Kam School to board in intermedite school after Ewa Beach Elementary. I often wonder where I would be if I had continued on to Campbell HS with the rest of my classmates back then. We were sad that Kimo Kauihou couldn’t join us (Michael Rawlins, Kaylia Kahele, Greg Chee, Donetta Dias, Mark Kahalekulu and Kevin Palmerton) at KS. Him and his family especially his father were really nice to us that summer after 6th grade. Kimo was also the guy that tried to teach me how to surf back then at Haubush before we got chased out by a big manta ray we thought was a shark. Back then the only surfboards we could afford were those woolworths white foam boards with the two wooden stringers that would give you hell rash and eventually break in half, And we’ d ride them as paipos. That was before we got swim fins and those flame bent varathaned plywood paipos we’d make in wright bowman’s woodshop class.

My memory might be wrong but I think later Calvin Eaton along with George Ku used to catch the bus that came down from wahiawa to KS for high school back then. Nothing more up lifting on those long bus rides than Calvin’s and George’s smile.

We had a pretty tight group of surfers back then with Gooney, Harry Gaynor, Kimo, Tony,  Ron, Mikey and all the guys ahead of and following us like Butch said. Robbie seemed to be on another level well beyond us back then. Those were wild and crazy times coming off the 60’s with getting drafted for Vietnam always on your mind. So many characters and personalities. chickenman, caveman, bolo, jungleboy, bushtree stump.

The only thing I really remember about those Shark Country days was paddling out past everyone at first break waiting for the bombs and watching everyone scrambling for the shoulder as I was dropping in straight at the pack.

Playing the old style waterpolo at KS under Bill Smith with Keone Downing and the guys ahead of us really put us in tip top surfing shape.

days and memories long gone…


 

 

988

Harry! I was checking some older blogs and came across one of yours where you were describing both Cal and I when we met at KS Class reunion in 08. You were suprised that Cal was bigger than me! Between 68-72 I was coming home summers from playing college ball and started taking Cal with me to hang out with my friends (Rick, George, Mel, Ike, Nate, MG, MK, etc.) At that time I was pumped and huge even at todays standards. At 5’11" I sported a 20" neck, 52" chest 19"3/4" biceps and a 35" waist. Cal was between 13-17. Still had his teenage body while I was a mature man already. In the 7-8 grade Cal was already 5’11". So you didn’t imagine any of it. Your memory was correct. Add my Kanaka Hair and I was probably 6’ 1". All at 235lbs. I starting running and not lifting so I could ride those short boards in 3 mos. time I lost 30lbs. and styed at 200-205 til I got married in 1980. Note: in the 1st grade Cal was already 120lbs. We all knew that he was going to be bigger than all of us. My dad and mom come from big stock. Mom is 5’8" while Dad stood at 6’1". His Dad was 6’6". My mothers greatgrandfather purportedly was so huge he had to be buried in a grand piano crate. He supposedly stood over 9’ tall. By the way I really enjoy your blogs. Especially, your latest SC additions.

Kahu Cleigh

989

Aloha Cleigh, there’s a shot of you in this blog taken at Campbells from the back and it shows your wide shoulders and hair. That’s the Cleighton Eaton I remembered. No mess with this guy is the best way to put it. The other thing I remember is you had these narrow or what seemed narrow boards. I think it was because your chest was extra wide. When you and Cal paddled out to SC we all took notice. But I never ever seen you or Cal get pissed, so I guess I was lucky. I am lucky and happy to say that Cal is a friend, and has been good to me as long as I have known him.

I wish I knew you guys were related to John Brown. I used to see him at the beach and that would have been fun to bring up. He was another intimidating guy, I always mistook him for Kevin P. I’d ask him “is your name Kevin?” and he’d say “no, but I get one friend named Kevin.” Then I’d know he was John Brown and I’d say that and everything would be good. Otherwise he always looked like he was pissed. Then I found out he married my wife’s friend Vernie, so I always had that to bring up when I saw him. It’s been quite a while since we saw them, but the last time I was with my wife and he was with Vernie, and that was good for a few laughs. 

George Kaholokua was another big Hawaiian. He came down SC a lot cause he was friends with Isaac. I would see him out at SC more than I saw you and Cal. He was another mellow guy too. One summer I hung around Isaac’s quonset hut a lot and George would be there all the time. That was probably about 1971-2. 

There was another big Hawaiian boy in EB that went to KS named Bell. I can’t remember his first name, but he was older. Probably around your age.

Cleigh, I come from da menehune side. You guys must be from the Tahitian warrior side. 

Aloha… Harry

990

Aloha  - Brada  Oneula - Shark Country - Alama Bros.   All  U  gotta  do  is  ask  old  T.P.  I  reckamemba  more  things  back  then  than  i  do  now. The  C.P.C. caretakers  were  the  Kanamu  family. The  oldest  girl  was  my  bros. Rick’s & Kahu Cleigh’s  age . I  4get  if  her  name  was  Blossom  or  the  name  Blossom  was  Baricuatro  down by  Glenn  Mitsuyasu  place.  anyway  she  was  the  oldest  girl  then  was  Abraham, my  bros. Mike’s  classmate  then  my  classmate  Lorna  then  the  one  that  Stephan  Oasay  married,  4-get  the  name . U  know  who  would  know  her  name,  cause  i  think  she  used  to  like  him  was  Issac  Tanaka, no  let  Ike  fool  U,  he  was  1  sly  bugga!!!  nah  Ike. only  joke, but  i  know  U  know  her  name  she  was  U-guys  class.  Aloha  T.P.

991

I    was  talking   about   the  oldest  Kanamu  girl  that  was  Ike’s  Kumu .   T.P.

992

Harry! GK & I use live together @ his aunties beach hale by the Bulosans on one side & methodit church on the other side. In 71-72 I started to prepare the move to Maui Cal was a boarder @KS. By late 72 I was on Maui FT. Hence,my absence from SC. Would come often visit GK, Kani, & Joe Siliado when they were FLIGHT. Cal, GK,& I would visit Kevin P. & Mike Bell @ their hale in Honouliuli, what was know as Honouliuli Hilton. What a gas!!
Cleigh

993

Cleigh-  Bolos  not  Bolosan,  anyway  quick  story. me Edwin & Edmin  Bolos  just  pau  surf  S.C.  had  Bolos  car  parked  @  the  shack. flat  tire  no  more  spare. so  me  Edwin, &  Mel C or 1  of  the  Wong boys  wen  run  back  to  Bolos house. we  ran  past  Kear’s  house  &  next  or  2  house  down  was  the  lady  who  had  the  Ballet  studio  EBShop Center. this  was  around  7:30 or  so.  pulehu  1  piece  steak. we  wen  put  on  our  brakes. we  smell em.  just  by  luck, she  had  1  call  can  hear  the  phone  from  the  road. wen  she  went  for  get  the  call,  i  wen  run  in  the  garage  grab  the  meat  and  we  wen  whack  em  like  cannibals. that  thing  was  ono.  going  back  to  the  shack  to  get  the  car.  we  pass  by  her  house.  she  called  police.  we  laugh  up.  Aloha  T.P.

994

eh Tom,  to funny scupping up the steak of the the grill,  aswhy Manongs wife wen plan one trip far away for her and Mel to be in Cali at the time of the E B Reunion… she no like have to bail her ole man out, she know what happens when you and Mel get together…it’s too bad M,C. not going to make it…   with you and him,  would’nt need Auggie T and Frank Delima for entertinment…

Puanani Kanamu was Rick and my classmate… she was my body guard…if she was growing up today, she probabaly have a scholarship to play sports…elementry school time, whenever we played PE, the first ones to get pick on the teams were your bradda Rick and Puanani…she was a nice person and had good grades too,  just don’t piss her off…

as far as the reunion, Mike N. thanks for stepping up to take the lead in the oganization of this event to happen…i have recently planted 60 ulu trees so i am sure they will not be ready for kaukau but i will be able to get some from trees that are producing…i make somesome…i wonder whatever happened to Puletase Migeo(?)… he use to surf sharkcountry…

as it for now, ike

995

Yeah!  Ike  as  the  1.  if  U  see  Mel B  tell  him  to  bring  back  my  Little  Leaque  Baseball  Book  i  think  it  was  1963/64  had  Chris  Gardner & Marc  too.  He  wanted  to  show  Marc’s  son.  I  think  about  8  months -  1 yr  ago  he  wen  borrow. nough  time  i  think .  i  no  like  lose  that  book, had  that  almost  50  yrs.  Aloha  T.P.

996

TP! Sorry Bulosans are from Maui. Got them confused. It happens when you try to remember things 40+ years ago. Good thing get ada guys to remember too. I use to hit their speed bag all the time. They use to work out Martial Arts. Beside surfing was something else we had in common. One twin was street style and the other more classic style. Good Fun!!

Kahu

997

Tommy,

Who was your coach? I was on a team with Mr. Sugai, he was the coach and his son Alex was one of the pitchers. I don’t know if that was the same team. Charlie M. was on the team too. Played in Ewa, Fernandez Village and also Verona Village, plus the park by Ewa Gym. I think we used to practice in the feild at SharK Country…sound familiar? Also remember the house with the Bolos twins and George K. They had a surf shop in the garage, that’s after Issac’s quonset hut got shut down. 

butchp

998

One thing about the girls when we was growing up was they was just as tough as the boys. Maybe not as tough as TP and those guys, but for us little guys they wouldn’t take no crap. Could be as pretty as ever, but oh boy when they get mad, the pretty changes to nasty.

I remember one really pretty older girl named Sally. She was David Arioli’s aunty and lived with them. Around '66 or so she was one of the student helpers at Summer Fun. Her and Gayelynn Catchcart, Randy Kaiwi and some of the others who were about '70-'71 grads. We lived a couple houses away from the Cathcarts. Gayelynn lives next to my mom now. She married Larry Kaleinamoku about '70-'72 KS.

Does anyone remember a lady named Mary who lived at CPC park? I was out
at SC one day a few years ago and a guy kept saying his Aunty Mary lived
over there. I forgot what Reno’s wife’s name was, and I didn’t know the
people at CPC park. I’d say hi if we were swimming down that side. In
the 60’s and early 70’s Haubush would have nice waves on that end. We’d
also swim in the channels that go out between the rocks right in front
of CPC park. Also used to have little shrimp near shore. We’d eat them
right after we catch um and they were sweet.

999

Aloha Harry and Frank! I was already on Maui when I heard about “Fat Paul”, “Bernie Baker”, and “Fast Eddie”. I remember being offended that this was going on by what I would call outsiders back then. I heard and saw what started out to be a control thing because of the influx of foriegn surfers. Didn’t and couldn’t respect Eddie for using Hawaiians for his personal “Armour Bearers”. Imua was being primed for that too. Same thing was going on here on Maui when I came with outsiders trying to run surfing on Maui. Guess I helped to chang some of that. Anyway, I do hope all these people have learned and are coming out of that darkness. Lve by the sword die by the sword. Frank that for not giving up or giving in. I remember how pissed I was with NS “hippies” we called them back then. It was the drugs that caused and or escalated the violence. People, Eddie especially was making big bucks back then. Hawaiians, locals were willing to take their payments and do the dirty work. This usually came in theform of drugs, sex and surf location take overs. Its a new day!!. E hele Nalu Kakou! Lets Go Surfing! E Na Mamo o Puuloa, Mai Poina Na La 'Ae Oia! Desendants of Puuloa, rememder the days of your youth! Puuloa being the ancient name of EB. Both of these saying will be incorporated into the T-Shirts.

Lawe ko’u kaikaina! Enough my Brothers

Kahu Cleigh

1000

yup  - kahu, all  us  forget, but  funny  thing, i  seem  to  reckamemba  back  then. s.c. days. like  i  said  i  remember  guys  like  Tony Magalanes, Domi Delacruz, Reno’s brada  Herbert, in  fact, memba  around  2007-or 2008 the  ewa  little  leaque  B.B.team  that  won  the  world  series. the  manager  was Herbert’s son  and  his  son  Kaeo Aliviado  is  now  a  top  player  4  U.H.   By  the  way  Butch,  i  started  playing  L.L. BaseBall @  9 yrs  old  suppose  to  be  10-12 major  League. i  was  little  bit  advance.  Mr Sugai took  me  &  bro  mike, but  i  neva  like  play  for  him. the  league  put  me  minor  league,  played  3-4 gms right  back  major  league.  this  time  the  famous  Itamoto  family  took  me  under  their  wings. actually was  Dickie & Wayne plus  da  Bull  was  always  there. That’s  Y  we  was  alway’s  No. 1.  yes  we   toured  all  of  Ewa  plantation  from  Fernandez Village - Varona Village  Tenney village, then  back  to  E.B. park  or  Puuloa park  back  then and Hau Bush  park. we  really  did  some  touring  yeah  Butch ?  Aloha  T.P.