Roosevelt Class of ’49 grads descend on Hale Koa party

By Ben Wood

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 26, 2011

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MEMBERS of Roosevelt High’s Class of ’49, who have turned or are turning 80 this year, decided to have an 80th birthday party instead of waiting for their 65th reunion. Some 120 people showed up, some from the mainland, for the Hale Koa party on Aug. 14 to reminisce and talk about the good old days on the Makiki campus. They also enjoyed fine food and good music. The organizers included retired Assistant Police Chief Orby Groves and his wife, the former Ruth Mesick, (both seen at right) a class beauty, and their children and grandchildren. After meeting Orby in the seventh-grade at Stevenson Intermediate, Ruth went home and told her late mom, Mary Mesick, “I just met the boy I’m going to marry.” Other key organizers were Laverne Fernandez Nimsger, Evelyn Loo Lee and Irwin “Yoka” Cockett. Music was provided by Island Splash, made up of Sam Puletasi and Bill Thompsen, Mihana Souza, former Miss Hawaii Delfin Poaha Luchinger, Wally Vincent and Estrella Luna Lariosa. The Groves’ daughters, Cindy Lopez, Jolyn Tenn and Kathy Nii, also sang, as did Kathy’s hubby, Derrick Nii, who also emceed. A good time was had by all. I can vouch for that as I am proud to be an RHS Class of ’49 member. …
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