Celebration
50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Event - December 9, 2022
What a night to remember! The evening was filled with a celebration of the people, memories, and appreciation of the past and present that has made Pearl Ridge Elementary the extraordinary school that it is today.
Preparation began in the morning until the event began. Flowers and greenery arrived in the morning that were donated by families and florists. In the afternoon, teachers and volunteers set up the courtyard with tents, tables, and rearranged the cafeteria to welcome guests in the evening and the food began arriving for preparation. Guests began arriving at 6:00 p.m. and entered a transformed courtyard and cafeteria decorated with beautiful flowers, greenery, lights and pictures to celebrate the night.
While guests arrived and entered the event, The Five Eighth Notes, a wind quintet who met under the UH Bands Chamber Groups scholarship, played Christmas music. The members were: Ellie Rose (Flute), Erin Matsushita (Oboe), Michael Han (Clarinet), Ethan Stanfield (Horn), and Jake Yoshimura (Bassoon).
The 50th Anniversary celebration officially started at 6:30 p.m and what better way to start off a celebration than with a dragon and lion dance! The Gee Yung International Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance blessed the event with their energetic performance.
Gensen Rabacal & Friends then continued with their upbeat Christmas music singing in harmony.
Time Capsule
During the evening, we unveiled the time capsule that was sealed on May 15, 1998 at PRE's 25th Anniversary and to be opened at the 50th Anniversary! For the adults in attendance that were elementary, intermediate, high school students, or young adults in 1998 it was a trip down memory lane! Do you want see what was in the time capsule?
Over 250 guests who attended the 50th Anniversary celebration! Former and current administrators, teachers and students came to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate with each other all of the great things that PRE had accomplished and continue to accomplish.
Special guests that were recognized were:
Senator Brandon Elefante
Former Senator Bennette Misalucha
Representative Sam Kong
Former Principal Ray Sugai
Former Principal Laureen Dunn
Former Principal Mark Arinaga
Former Principal Rory Vierra
Former Principal Carolyn Hamada
Former Vice-Principal Danelle Huddy
Former Vice-Principal Ronie Martinez
The celebration included great food that included:
Poke bowls
Kalua Pig
Char Siu Fried Rice
Steamed Bao w/ char siu
Charcuterie skewers
Meatball skewers
Pasta Salad
Chicken salad on cucumber
Hot Dog and Spam Musubi
Desserts: Parfaits & mini cheesecake bites
A big mahalo to Salt Lake Chinese Restaurant for donating the char siu fried rice and also to Aiea High School culinary department who helped to prepare and serve the food. There were 10 students that volunteered with Aiea’s Academy director, Piilani Chun, and culinary teacher, Emily Mendoza.
There were so many people that made the 50th Anniversary celebration a wonderful success. Many of whom do not want recognition and many who we don't know. If we didn't have a chance to say "Mahalo" to you, we want you to know how much we appreciated the support that you gave. Here are a few of those we do know that we want to recognize:
Flowers & Greenery donations:
Flowers by Carole
Honolulu Florists
Ewa Beach Florists
Waipahu Florists
Aiea Florist
J’Adore Couture Luxury Flowers
Reyes Family
First Baptist Church of Pearl City
Greenery donated by Darrell and Colleen Tamaru
Winnie Honda (Former long time faculty member) for making the leis for the special guests.
Food & Food Service
Salt Lake Chinese Restaurant for donating the charsiu fried rice
Aiea High School culinary department students. Academy director, Piilani Chun, and culinary teacher, Emily Mendoza.
Photography
Peterson Rosario - Taking photos of the event tonight
Sarah Jual Photography - Photo booth.
Music
The Five 8th Notes
Gensen Rabacal & Friends
Volunteers
Hope Chapel Pearlview Pastor Mel Isara and volunteers.
Hawaii Kai Jaycees and Chinese Jaycees volunteers
All of the PRE staff who helped with this event.