Na Leo O Na Koa. (Voices of Warriors) 2007 Chapter Rating

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1 Na Leo O Na Koa (Voices of Warriors) 2007 Chapter Rating Newsletter of the Aloha Chapter, An Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America Chartered January 27, 2000 Volume No. 13, Issue No. 10 Web Site: October 2012 Pacific Aviation Museum Tour Saturday morning, September 22 nd, seventeen Aloha Chapter members and guests assembled at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, for a special guided tour ably conducted by docent Kalani Baker. Wesley Fong had arranged this discounted, private tour for Aloha Chapter with Admiral Ronald J. Hays, USN, Retired, formerly Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Forces (CINCPAC), and currently the Chairman of the Board of the Pacific Aviation Museum. Wes had met and became acquainted with the admiral when he, Wes, was escorting another of his Hawaii Veterans Goodwill Delegations to China, organized for retired, senior American military officers by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and hosted and coordinated by the China Association for International Contact. The tour group was ushered into the Museum s main exhibit area of Hangar 37 where visitors strolled among authentic World War II-era planes, including an actual Japanese Zero and a Stearman N2S-3 once piloted by former American President George H. W. Bush. Kalani is an excellent story teller. He brought to life the dogfights and major battles of WWII the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Doolittle Raid, Kalani Baker expounding on the Japanese Zero about to launch in the first wave in the attack on Pearl Harbor as depicted in the diorama behind him. the Battle of Midway, etc. and told many anecdotes, such as how a light civilian plane that was airborne and See PAM Tour Page 4 Back to School Chapter Life Member LTC Bob Takao, USA, Ret., who heads the JROTC program at Punahou School, is hosting our October 17 meeting at Punahou School. Put your walking shoes on and get ready for a whirlwind tour of the school. Check out the proposed agenda: 1030 Park on Piper s Pali and meet at the President's Home on the Punahou campus (see map on page 3) Walk by Case Middle School to the Academy (High School) founded in Tour the archive dis play of the US Army oc- See Page 3 and Punahou Page 5 Inside October Issue Birthdays 7 Bridge Report 5 Calendar 2 Chapter Leaders 8 Golf Report 6 Membership Application 7 President s Message 2 Reservation Form 7

2 Page 2 Nā Leo O Nā Koa No. 13, October 2012 President s Message By Curtis Lee On Saturday September 22, 18 members of the Aloha Chapter met at 1030 AM at The Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island for a tour of the Museum. This was a special one-and-a-half -hour guided and narrated tour conducted by Kalani Baker a docent at the museum. He was very knowledgeable and provided many stories with insight into the role of aircraft in warfare from December 7, 1941, to the present time. Although several attendees had visited the museum previously, we all learned new and interesting information from this visit. Following the tour we enjoyed lunch and fellowship in a separate room with tables nicely decorated by our Program Chairperson, Jane Kekoa. Thank you, Jane! Also, our heartfelt thanks go out to Wes Fong who made the arrangements with museum management for our great tour! On Wednesday, October 17, our next program features the outstanding Punahou School JROTC program, followed by lunch at the Punahou President s historic home on the campus. I hope you will find time to join us. It is the time of the year for the announcement on the determination of our COLA for 2013 based a period ending September 30, Indications are the amount will be less than 2 percent. Seems to me, based on my experience, that inflation has been more than 2 percent, but this low amount is based on the government s method of computing. Please do your civic duty and vote! Normally, in Hawaii, only about 60 percent of registered voters actually vote. I m confident that those of us who have served our country as military officers have a much higher percentage of participation. So, regardless of your political party loyalties, let s get out and vote! Add these Websites to your Favorites Recruit A New Member! Your Aloha Chapter is always looking for new members active duty, retirees, and auxiliary members all are welcome and will enjoy the camaraderie of the Aloha Chapter. Make it your goal to recruit at least one new member in Cut out the Membership Application on Page 7 of this newsletter to give to a prospective member. Notice The annual Army Retiree Appreciation Day held at the Nehelani Banquet and Conference Center, Schofield Barracks, which was reported in the September newsletter as being cancelled this year, has been resurrected and is now scheduled for 0900, Saturday, October 6. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Oct. 6, :00 AM, Army Retiree Appreciation (Saturday) Day, Nehelani, Schofield Barracks Oct.11, :00 AM, Board of Directors Meeting, (Thursday) NEX Pearl Harbor, Food Court Lanai Oct. 17, 2012 Punahou School JROTC cadet program (Wednesday) presented by member LTC Bob Takao, Senior Military Instructor, followed by lunch at Punahou President s historic home Oct. 18, :00 AM, EXCOM Meeting, Kalihi Union (Thursday) Church, 2214 N. King Street, Honolulu Oct. 19, :00 AM, Golf Outing, Klipper Golf Course, (Friday) Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii Oct. 21, :00 PM, Bridge Party, Fahrni Realty Class- (Sunday) room, Aiea. Hostess: Helen Fahrni Nov. 15, :00 AM, Patriotic Songfest at Center for (Thursday) Aging, TAMC, followed by annual General Membership Meeting at Hale Ikena Dec. 20, :00 PM, Christmas Party, Sunset Lanai, (Thursday) Camp Smith. Donations to Food Bank Notice This newsletter, my 82 nd issue of Nā Leo O Nā Koa, is published monthly by Professional Image, Mapunapuna, as an official publication of Aloha Chapter, MOAA, P.O. Box , Honolulu, Hawaii, Views expressed herein are not necessarily chapter policy.

3 No 13, October 2012 Nā Leo O Nā Koa Page 3 Chapter Outing October 17 The Punahou School President s lovely, almost 105-year-old home, above, is now occupied by Dr. James K. Scott, right. To get there, drive mauka up Punahou Street and turn right to go down Piper s Pali past the tennis courts.

4 Page 4 Nā Leo O Nā Koa PAM Tour from front page shot during the Japanese attack on Oahu, together with a P-40 fighter of the type airborne from Wheeler Field, both successfully landed riddled with bullets on that fateful day. He enthralled the group at an exhibit of the actual wreckage of the Japanese Zero that crash landed on the island of Niʻihau by relating the story of the Battle of Niʻihau and how the pilot was eventually killed by the Hawaiians. The guided tour offered a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Hangar 79, the Restoration Joe Kuroda, who wisely brought Hangar, the his own chair, listening to Kalani newest addition Baker in front of a B-25B Mitchell to the Museum similar to one used in the Doolittle and home to a Raid on Tokyo in April, 1942 working, WWIIera restoration shop. Also housed in Hangar 79 are the most recent additions to the Museum's growing collection of vintage aircraft, including a Cobra attack helicopter, a Sovietdesigned MiG-15 and the MiG Alley Exhibit, an F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, P-40 Warhawk, and the Flying Tigers Exhibit. Our group at the Flying Tigers Exhibit with our docent, Kalani Baker, at the far right No. 13, October 2012 Showcasing the Museum s recently acquired MiG-15 and newly restored F-86 Sabre aircraft which flew during the Korean War, the exhibit features a life-sized diorama that depicts MiG Alley, the name given by U.S. Air Force pilots to the northwestern portion of North Korea. During the Korean War, it was the site of numerous dogfights between U.S. fighter jets and those of the Communist forces, particularly the Soviet Union. The Museum s F-86 Sabre which has been restored for the exhibit, and the Museum s Soviet-designed MiG-15 were the aircraft used throughout most of the Korean conflict. The Aloha Chapter tour group in Hanger 79 in front of a restored F-86 Sabre and below a prized MiG-15 in a depiction of a Korean War dogfight in MiG Alley. Sitting in the center is 95-year-old Dick Girocce, who was a Flight Engineer on PBY Catalina seaplanes and was outside Hanger 54 on December 7, Following our very interesting and informative tour, we assembled in a large room with six round tables for ten that were decorated with lovely flowers from Jane Kekoa s yard. We used only two tables to talk story and eat our luncheon of sandwiches, chips, a cookie and lemonade and ice tea. Prior to partaking, we praised and applauded Kalani s presentation and gratefully extended our appreciation to Wes and Jane for arranging and organizing a wonderful outing.

5 No 13, October 2012 Nā Leo O Nā Koa Page 5 Aloha Chapter Party Bridge Hosting September s party bridge session held at the Fahrni Realty Classroom on Sunday the 16 th were Bill & Trudi Ernst. Twelve regular players showed up by 1 PM, so play began on schedule with 3 tables. Gary Jensen ended this session with the highest score, edging out last month s top scorer, John Kim, by 20 points, 4,110 to 4,090. They was followed by Dayle Carlson, Mitzi Austin and Lois Luehring. Other participants were: Bobbi Carlson, Bill & Trudi Ernst, Sam Heard, Les & Shirley Ihara, and Bev Jensen. Only one slam was bid and made by partners Les Ihara & Dayle Carlson. Seated, left to right: Lois Luehring, Trudi Ernst, and Mitzi Austin. Standing are Bill Ernst, Grand Champion Gary Jensen, John Kim, Dayle Carlson, & Les Ihara. The next bridge session will be held on Sunday, October 21 st in the Fahrni Realty Classroom, hosted by its owner, Helen Fahrni. Those who have not signed up but would like to play on that date must contact Helen by telephone at , or contact the Program Coordinator, Shirley Ihara, not later than Wednesday, October 17 th.. Reminder to bridge players: plan now to participate in the December session which will be a luncheon affair hosted by the Iharas, on Sunday the 16 th. Details will be announced at a later date. Shirley Punahou Continued from Front Page cupation of Punahou during WW II. This display will be set up in the library and moderated by Kylee Mar, school archivist Tour the Athletic Department Hall of Fame, moderated by Jeanie Garcia, Athletic Director and Army "Brat". Afterwards, walk by the Memorial Wall of Honor that contains the names of Punahou graduates that died in service from WW I to the present Return to the President's Pavilion (home) for lunch, complete with entertainment and a brief overview of the JROTC program given by Vern Von s grandson, Jesse Orimoto, who is in Punahou s magnet JROTC program. (Jesse s schedule permitting). Also, Casey Agena (Mert Agena s nephew), who is a Punahou Summer School Director, will briefly speak about Punahou Summer School and the PUEO program. Please See Punahou and Reservation Form on Page 7

6 Page 6 Nā Leo O Nā Koa No. 13, October 2012 September Golf Report I was elated with the weather report on Tuesday, September 18. Guy Hagi of Hawaii News Now stated that there'll be rain on Wednesday and Thursday but our golf outing on Friday, September 21 st, will Norm Fujiwara be clear with no rain. On Thursday, Alice and I went to the Schofield Commissary and when we exited, it was pouring cats and dogs and an occasional mongoose. I thought I would have some faith in Guy's expertise prediction, that is until I woke up on Friday to overcast skies and sprinkling droplets. I thought of some pretty nasty words for Guy, but as we drove to Pearl Harbor, the weather seemed to improve as we got closer Note: PenFed has replaced the old Tripler Federal Credit Union and PenFed is now located at both Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. to the Navy/Marine Golf Course. When we arrived, I sort of bit my tongue for my earlier thoughts of Guy. Thankfully, he was right again. Last week when I prepared the grouping for tee times, there were twenty-three players signed-up. However, by Monday, I had two cancellations and a request for sponsoring a guest by a member. Then, I received a phone call from a snow bird from Marin County desiring to join our group. Thus, we were back to twenty-three players. However, I was informed by the starter that they received a call from one of our group that was unable to make it, so now we were down to twenty-two players. All twenty-two players were at the golf course on time and ready to begin, so our first group of Mert Agena, John Ma, Mel Soong and Ken Munechika teed off at our scheduled time; they were followed by the trio of Gordon Cho, his guest Don Corkright, and John Holmes; followed closely by Vernon Von, his guest Kyle Undem, and Len and Honey Jean Katsarsky; the fourth group consisted of Myron Brumaghin, Bob Nagao and their guests D. Hasegawa and Carl Watanabe. They were followed by Joe Kuroda, Curtis Lee, John Kim and Stan Yasumoto and then the sixth and final group, the threesome of Ken Yamada, Alice Fujiwara and yours truly. When our "blind partner" total net scores were calculated, we had in third place the partners of Joe Kuroda and John Kim; in second place, losing by a mere one stroke, were the partners of Myron Brumaghin and Curtis Lee; and the winners at the top of the megajackpot, in first place, were the partners of Gordon Cho and Ken Yamada. Congratulations to all the winners and mahalo to the rest of us players/contributors. I almost forgot, we lost one golfer in the middle of our round, Mel Soong; I hope you are feeling better! Now for our thought of the day: Good judgment comes from experience usually which was the result of poor judgment. Our next golf outing is on Friday (the third one), October 19 th, at Klipper Golf Course.

7 No. 13, October 2012 Nā Leo O Nā Koa Page 7 Partial List of October Babies George Vickers Lawrence Zane Norman Pang William Yamada Larry Collignon Nari Hamlin (Reported in error as 8-22 in August newsletter) Frederick Holck Henrietta Moss Herb Nakagawa, Best Wishes for many, many more Birthdays! Punahou Continued from Page After lunch, optional tour of the President's historic home and the nearby Omidyar K-1 Complex Visit complete. Feel free to join us for any portion of the tours or just lunch. Please show your support for these relatives of our members. For those who may need assistance for the walking portions of the tours, Bob can arrange golf cart transportation; please indicate so on your Reservation Form.

8 Aloha Chapter Military Officers Association Of America P.O. Box Honolulu HI Aloha Chapter Awards * Star Chapter * Star Chapter * 2004 Winner Best Website * nd Runner-Up Electronic Newsletter * Star Chapter * 2005 Winner-Cat VII "Give Me 10" Recruitment Campaign * Star Chapter * Star Chapter * nd Runner-Up Print Newsletter * Star Chapter * nd Runner-Up Print Newsletter Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Honolulu HI Permit No Aloha Chapter Leadership Directors Effective 1 January 2012 (Term in years indicated in parenthesis) (1) Mark Webster, USN Chairman markster96816@gmail.com (1) Lawrence Enomoto, USAF Secretary and Parliamentarian lawrence.enomoto@gmail.com (2) Gordon Cho, USA gcho440443@aol.com (2) Norman Fujiwara, USA nfujiwara@hawaiiantel.net (1) Robert Kozuki, USA kozukir@hawaii.rr.com (2) Vernon Von, USAF vvon777@gmail.com Executive Committee & Committee Chairs President: Curtis D. Lee, USA leecd001@hawaii.rr.com Vice President: Vernon Von, USAF vvon777@gmail.com Secretary: Lawrence Enomoto, USAF lawrence.enomoto@gmail.com Treasurer: Arthur Yamamoto, USA aty@hawaiiantel.net Community Affairs: Membership: Gordon Cho, USA gcho440443@aol.com Personal Affairs: Harold Okita (Windward), ; & John Jefferis (Leeward) Programs: Jane Kekoa, Jack Bohman, Melvin Soong & Ira Tagawa Publications/PR: Mark Webster, USN markster96816@gmail.com ROTC/Veteran Affairs: Wesley Fong, USA wesleyf.fong@hawaiiantel.net Bridge: Shirley Ihara lsi@hawaii.rr.com Fundraising: Herb Nakagawa, USAF shibikoherb@yahoo.com Golf: Norman Fujiwara, USA nfujiwara@hawaiiantel.net Scholarships: Allen Ono, USA onoa002@hawaii.rr.com