McKinley's Traditions

McKinley High School was officially established in 1865, as the Fort Street English Day School by Maurice B. Beckwith. In November 1869, the English Day School moved from the basement of the old Fort Street Church to a new stone building on the corner of Fort and School Streets. The Fort Street School later moved to the Princess Ruth’s Palace in 1895 and was renamed the Honolulu High School. In 1907, Honolulu High School moved to the corner of Beretania and Victoria Streets. The school’s name was then changed to President William McKinley High School, after President William McKinley, whose influence helped to bring about the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. A statue of President McKinley was commissioned for $8,000. Completed in New York, the bronze eight-ton statue was shipped to Honolulu and dedicated on February 23, 1911. With growing enrollment, a new and bigger school was necessary. In 1921, the present site on King Street was acquired through territorial condemnation. In 1923, the school was moved from the Beretania Victoria site to its present location. McKinley High School is proud to be listed on both State and National Register of Historical Places. At this time, McKinley had no auditorium, and through the efforts of the McKinley Parent and Teachers Association, a building drive was formulated. In 1927, the Marion McCarrell Scott Auditorium was dedicated. This new auditorium was then the largest theater in Hawai’i. In 1920, McKinley began the publication of the Daily Pinion. Fluency in written communication was developed in the publications classes that the Daily Pinion, a school newspaper published daily and made possible with the assistance of the McKinley print shop. The school’s swimming pool was the students’ pride of the 1920’s because they played an active part in its construction. Armed with picks, shovels, and determination, the students began the excavation for a pool in 1923. Construction was halted due to a lack of funds. Students solicited the funds from the Honolulu business community and collected the necessary $12,000 to complete the pool. The pool was completed in 1926 and named in honor of the late Honolulu Mayor Fred Wright. The appointment of Dr. Miles E. Carey in 1924 as principal opened a new era of leadership. In 1931, Dr. Carey introduced the “core” program, integrating English and social studies classes, to McKinley’s academic program. It was an immediate success and by 1933 the 3,000 students of McKinley were actively enrolled in the core program. The school cafeteria and road encircling the front mall are named after Dr. Miles E. Carey. The Second World War proved to be a challenge for the students of McKinley. They wanted to do their part in the nation’s war effort. A savings bond drive was conducted, and the students responded by buying over $200,000 in bonds and stamps. The overwhelming success of the bond drive, instigated a new project, purchasing a fighter bomber for the U.S. Air Force! Students again raised over $333,000 in war bonds to cover the cost of a Liberator bomber. In February 1944, the plane, christened “Madame Pele,” was presented to the U.S. Air Force. August 14, 1945--the war was won! Veterans’ School was begun on campus to help the McKinley young men who had left school for the war. One hundred and five veterans came back to McKinley and finished their education. The Korean War, begun in 1950, interrupted the peace. Again, McKinley boys volunteered their lives for their country. The 1950’s was also a period of readjustment. The core program ended and another chapter of the school’s history was brought to a close. In 1960’s, McKinley met the demands of a progressive society. Educators instituted new methods in teaching science, mathematics, and the foreign languages. With the addition of new and revitalized curriculum, the students had an opportunity to choose from a wider range of subjects in preparation for their post-high school education. McKinley continued to be a comprehensive public high school in Hawai’i. Just as McKinley’s curriculum expanded, the facilities also increased from the original four buildings. In 1959, the Social Studies building was added and named after Chief Justice Wilfred Tsukiyama. And, in 1961, the award winning design of the Miles E. Carey cafeteria was completed. With growing interest in the music program, the music building was added in 1962. In 1964, the students of McKinley petitioned and lobbied the State legislature for a gymnasium. Their efforts paid off as a gymnasium was built in 1964 and is aptly named the Student Council Gymnasium. In 1965, the football field was named the William Wise Field. William Wise coached the football team to the Interscholastic championship title of 1947. McKinley High School is proud of her long standing traditions. Over the years, they have been proudly and steadfastly maintained by students, teachers, administrators, and alumni of McKinley. The school colors, black and gold, were selected when McKinley High School was very young. Gold was chosen for McKinley’s close association with Hawaiian royalty. Not only was the school started during the reign of Kamehameha V, but also Honolulu High School, the predecessor of McKinley High School, used the palace of Princess Ruth for a school house. In searching for a color to compliment the gold, black was agreed upon. Part of the reason for the selection was that many McKinley graduates continued their education at Princeton University, whose colors are also black and gold. The nickname, “Tigers”, was possibly derived from the close association with Princeton. Other cherished aspects of McKinley’s history is the Code of Honor written in 1927 by student Mun Chee Chun. The code expressed the high standard of behavior which McKinley students tried to maintain. The original plaque of the code is proudly displayed in the main foyer of the Administration building. Commencement Exercises are traditionally held on campus. Beginning in the 1930’s, the growing enrollment in the student body made it increasingly difficult to hold an indoor graduation. For this reason, it was suggested by a faculty member that the ceremony be moved outdoors on the front of the Administration Building on the first Sunday in June. This tradition is still honored today. A tradition firmly upheld by all McKinley students is the respect given to the oval area surrounding President McKinley’s statue. No one is allowed to walk on the grassy oval. Only a graduating senior is allowed this privilege of crossing the oval on his or her Commencement Day. In 1923, a contest was held to choose a school song. Of the many excellent entries, the song written by Edward Himrod, then adviser of the Daily Pinion, was chosen. “Hail, McKinley, Hail” was chosen as the school alma mater and was set to music by Walter Maygrove, McKinley band director. Singing “Black and Gold” during the last three minutes of each football game began in the late 1950’s. Dr. Richard Lum, the band director of McKinley, used it to boost the pride in the team. Though the song had been sung since the 1920’s, establishing this tradition was especially loved by the students. This tradition continues and the “Black and Gold” is traditionally sung at all spirit rallies, athletic games, class reunions, and Commencement. “Black and Gold” is so well known that it is often mistaken as the school alma mater. Since its beginning, McKinley has always produced leaders and forerunners for Hawai’i. But she has also produced men and women who are not famous, yet who are a vital part of the life of these Islands. Prior to 1986, photographs of distinguished alumni were hung in the hallway of the Administration building in no formal or organized manner. In 1986, the faculty and alumni formalized and implemented the Hall of Honor recognition program. The Hall of Honor recognizes McKinley’s outstanding alumni who have brought honor to the school and community through their achievements and contributions. Today, this program continues as distinguished alumni are recognized with a formal induction assembly before faculty and students.

Perhaps the most outstanding McKinley tradition is the school spirit and pride which has sparked campus life. We have a proud tradition...fund raising by students and teachers for a swimming pool, forming a human chain to pass rocks from the campus to Punchbowl to help build the lookout, collecting coconuts for trees to be planted at Ala Moana Park, and baking cookies for American soldiers during World War II. These traditions have made McKinley students and alumni proud to be Tigers. Though our school has been modified with the times, our spirit and pride remain constant.

McKinley High School has contributed to the growth of our state and our nation. Our alumni have poured into the mainstream of American life in times of peace and stress. It was best put by Teichiro Hirata, principal of McKinley High School during its Centennial Celebration in 1965: “Yet, by far the greatest contribution McKinley has made and will continue to make is in her graduates, nameless in many instances, who served their respective communities in honest human endeavor. The day-to-day average citizen who provides goods and services, provides the best for their families with the sweat of their brow, who respects law and order, and who furnishes their sinew of war in times of international conflict. This is McKinley’s claim to greatness. Like Cornelia, mother of Roman Gracchi, McKinley echoes: “These are my jewels. I give them to my country.” McKinley continues to respect her past and build towards the future.

40th Reunion - Carnival

McKinley High School Class of 1977

40th Reunion - Carnival Theme

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Pomaika'i Ballrooms - Dole Cannery

Rebecca (Russell) Alakai, Francis Keoni Alip, Donna (Akaji) & Glenn Annoura, Bart Asato, Louise (Fujihara) Asato, Alvin Asuncion, Valerie (Badua) Au, Lynn (Taketa) & Pankag Bhanot, Gail (Morikawa) & Jeff Camara, Kathleen Campbell, Lai Mee Chan, Dayton Ching, Claudette Chun, Stephanie Clemente, Lyla Dayrit, Sergio, Sarah, Samantha Dupio, Barbara (Uyeno) & Gary Dworshak, Clara (Oshima) Foo, Scott & Chandelle (Hirao) Fuchigami, Jay Fujii, Patrick & Doris Ganeku, Richard Goto, George Goya, Jennifer Hartl-Davis, Kenneth & Susan (Kono) Hashimoto, Jane (Yanai) & Hal Henderson, Clayton Higa, Barbara Ige, Scott & Jocelyn Iwaki, Davilynne Jandoc, David Kaliki, Asa Kaulia, Milton Kawasaki, Mary (Furuto) Kim, Keith & Donna Kojima, Lori (Cheng) Kurokawa, Lily Lam, Lilia Lee & Marc Molitor, Eric Louie, Barbara (Sato) Low, Sanae Marabellas, Bobbie & Tiara Martin, Gayle (Koike) Marumoto, Mark & Pam Matsumoto, Tod & Donna Matsumoto, Ernesto Earl & Tamiko Mostoles, Mauri (Peterman) Nakasone, Clifton & Linda Nakatani, Paul & Sue Naki, Catherine (Chang) Nelson, Dannard & Shevon Nichols, Greg Nishioka, Lyndon Okata, Kayle (Kitamori) & Albert Perez, Laraine (Koyama) & Robert Peterson, John Piilani, Claire (Shimamoto) Richardson, Reynaldo Rilveria, Natalie Silva, Marian Siu, Susan Sugitani, Corinne (Nagamine) & Randall Suzuka, Jon Takushi, Joy (Kurihara) Tanouye & Ernest Ota, Gerald Tom, Shanon Uda, Audrey Uratani, Sharon (Nakata) & Eric Viveiros, Lloyd Wong, Darryl Wong, Brian Yamamoto, George Yamamoto, Calvin Yonamine, Ronald Yoshida, Barbara (Ige) Yoshikawa, Edward Young, Joel Yuen

Class Mascot - Woodstock

Welcome to the McKinley Carnival 2017!

Tiger Photo Booth

Game - Stand Up Bottle

Game - MASH Da Swamp Dime Toss

Game - Honey Pot

Game - Yama's Fish Market Bean Bag Toss

Game - Star Wars, Return of the TIGER

Game - Guess how much is in the container

Hmmm, 200? 205? 77.

Winner - Centerpiece

Winner - Woodstock Centerpiece

MASH Dime Toss

Winner - Stand Up Bottle

More prizes to give away

Ono Food and Drinks

 

I'm soooo glad to see you!
#BFF

 

Videos of the Carnival

45th Reunion - Summer 2022

35th Reunion

35th Reunion

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Pagoda Hotel LaSalle Room

Hail McKinley Hail!

When the McKinley High School Class of 1977 Reunion Committee was asked to consider a 35th reunion in 2012, we wondered what kind of response we would get. As usual our classmates came through.

We would like to thank the 111 people who attended our gathering at the Pagoda Restaurant’s LaSalle Room on July 14 for what turned out to be a memorable evening of fellowship, fun, good eats, music and dancing and a lot of winners!

The committee was still putting the finishing touch on getting the room ready when the guests started to arrive at 5 p.m. sharp. Mike Carroll was the first to arrive and we rewarded him with a prize!

Classmates who flew to join us included: Fred Lorenzo (Lahaina, Maui), Eric Louie (San Diego, Calif.), Audrey Uratani (San Diego, Calif.), Lynne Uyehara (Bellevue, Wash.), Joanne (Liu) Young (Virginia), Cindy (Ma) Chong (Costa Rica) and Santiago Baron (San Jose, Calif.).

Joy (Kurihara) Tanouye of 808 Travel, who provided many of the donated prizes, spent many hours putting together the candy favors and the centerpieces for each table. Joy, along with friend Cindy Nonaka, organized the table décor, which also featured black and gold napkins (nice touch by Pagoda). Lyla Dayrit put together the décor, which included balloons and several poster boards featuring Daily Pinions, which fit perfectly in the windows of the circular LaSalle Room.

Sheri (Sonoda) Kim and Sharon (Nakata) and her husband Eric Viveiros ran the reception table where people could look at old yearbooks and Pinions and classmates could pick up their name tags featuring their high school senior photos. As people arrived, they greeted and hugged each other and it was like time hardly passed. Old friendships were renewed and classmates who didn’t know each other from high school got acquainted. Senior Class President Greg Nishioka was there to welcome everyone. Pupus (boiled peanuts and soy beans) from Yama’s Fish Market (Brian Yamamoto) and chips satisfied the early munchies.

As daylight and views of the Pagoda Garden faded into night, ample time was given for people to chat and catch up before the buffet dinner began. The menu featured Mixed Greens with Assorted Vegetables and Dressings, Warm Potato Salad, Prime Rib Carving Station with Au Jus & Creamy Horseradish, Grilled Mahi with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce, Stuffed Chicken Breast with Truffle Kabayaki Sauce, Cakes and Pies and beverages.

From the start of the evening, Clayton Harada and the King Intermediate DJ Club provide the music of the 1970s, everything from disco to Elton John to the Eagles. Once the program began the nostalgic mood of the night had already been set.
Kathleen Campbell, who led the Reunion Committee, and Kalene (Shim) Sakamoto hosted the evening, while Susan Sugitani organized the games. Attendees were challenged to McKinley Trivia. The memory of some classmates, such as Jay Fujii, amazed even the committee, which tried to come up with some tough questions. The DJs and Susan came up with a ’70s “Name that Tune” game, asking the tables to collaborate on naming songs after listening to a few lines. Lynn (Taketa) Bhanot even ran up to the podium with a Winter Prom picture when a trivia question was asked about the event! Willington Leong won a prize for having the most grandchildren.

Prizes for the games and lucky drawings were abundant thanks to the generosity of donors. Winners got items such as travel certificates, pizza a month for a year, gift cards of cash, food, drinks, gas, bags and jewelry, McKinley baseball T-shirts (Patrick Ganeku is McKinley’s baseball coach) and much more.

We were honored to have four former advisers at the dinner, Alvin Nip, who still teaches at McKinley, Jean Matsuo, Meg Uehara and Raynette Takizawa. All looked great! Mr. Nip helped us pick the big prize winners, including Kenneth Hashimoto, who won the travel certificate from 808 Travel.

Once the program and games were over the dancing began. Just like at the old dances, it took a few to get things started before the floor was filled with classmates showing off the moves they never lost. Thanks to Jennifer Hartl-Davis, Richard DeCoite, Asa Kaulia and Sharon Viveiros for getting things started! A disco ball and lights provided the shine while a logo featuring a Tiger and “McKinley High School Class of 1977” projected and spinned on the dance floor.

Stacy Kaneshiro recorded the event with photos and video. Ed Young, who was unable to attend, and Bart Asato helped with the signups and budget. Kalene’s husband, Karl, also helped with the setup.

Chatter and loud laughter dominated throughout the night. “Do you remember?” was heard often. Even spouses and friends remarked how they were impressed with our class and how they bonded after all these years.

Spirited versions of “Black and Gold” and the school’s alma mater (Thanks for the reminder Jennifer!) filled the room as classmates held hands, a perfect ending to a night to remember.

Comments by classmates:
Via Facebook

Pat Ganeku
I want to thank and congratulate our reunion committee for putting in all their time and effort to make our 35th a memorable and fun one. It was really nice to see "old" friends and catching up each other. Again thanks for doing such a great job!

Lloyd Wong
It was a great time for those who missed it. Thank you for all that donated prizes and the committee that planned the event. Great job as our MCs kept us in line as the over 50 people that still have the moves or could move hit the dance floor. No EMTs or O2 was on stand by but a lot of fun and smiles, with those who still have there own teeth. All in all the love of the Class of 77 was more as we all wish Ed Young good health. Thanks Ed.

Donard Sonoda
Please keep my on the list for the 40th.... I am promising myself that I will make one of our reunions.

Joy Lehman
I know I said I was coming but I'm going to miss Saturday's reunion. I've been to every reunion except for the first...Looking forward to the pics.

GiGi Wong-Monaco
I'll be thinking of all of you this Sat as you celebrate our 35th Class Reunion. Pagoda, so close to my family home, I could've walked over (with Lorna Soong) if I were there. Looking forward to seeing some pics & vids. Aloha!

Willington Leong
Great Job Reunion Committee, Thank you for all your hard work!

George Tupua
Thank you Bart and the reunion committee. May God bless all of you.

Darryl Wong
THE CLASS OF 77' I really enjoyed myself and it was nice to see all friends present. I hope everything is fine with all and I also hope everyone had a nice time togethere. Well I hope to see you all again in 5 years or sooner. Love you all and take care of each other. Say hello on the streets cause sometimes I don't recognize people and also at times I no can see. Aloha, Darryl KS Wong

Kawika Kalili
Aloha Ed hope your doing ok and a speedy recovery, I missed the reunion too, looks like it was fun hope to see you at the next one Aloha get well.

Tim Bowman
I'm sorry I couldn't attend. Timing was bad w/ my trip the weeks before to the homeland. Looks like you guys had fun!! Great to see!!

Dustin Ebesu (C/O 1978)
Hey Bart, The reunion photos look like it was a total success. Congratulations to your class and the committee.

Via E-Mail

Jay Fujii
I would like to thank you & all the commitee again for the great party last night. Hope Eddie gets well.
Thanks again. Jay

Jennifer Hartl-Davis
Hi Bart-- Congratulations on such a successful reunion celebration. It was really fun. Thanks very much. See you in 5 years.
Aloha, Jennifer

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LaSalle Room

Black and Gold Day

Registration Table

McKinley High School Class of 1977

40th Reunion Summer 2017