Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeFirst Chaminade graduates reunite

First Chaminade graduates reunite

By Kristine Uyeno - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - It's a banner year for Chaminade University. The school is celebrating the golden anniversary of its first, graduating class.

The year was 1959. Hawaii was about to celebrate statehood and Steven Vidinha, Leonard Rosa and Bernard Lum Hoy were about to celebrate graduation.

They're the first graduates of what was then called, Chaminade College. They've reunited for the school's alumni celebration. Leonard has passed away. But with them, is Chaminade's only living founder, Father Stephen Tutas.

"But these were the pioneers, and that's a remarkable feat. So I'm happy to be a part of this celebration of 50 years," said Tutas.

"We were a small group of guys, we were always hungry," said Lum Hoy.

Their class started with more than 30 students, but only these three graduated.

"Here we were, new graduates with freshly minted diplomas, what do we do with this? We're just biting at the bit, waiting to make our contribution to society," said Vidinha.

Vidinha contributed by working in the attorney general's office, while Lum Hoy spent 25 years with the Honolulu Police Department. All during a time, when the islands were evolving.

"Hawaii changed significantly, economically, socially, educationally," said Vidinha.

They say they're happy to be a part of that important time for the state and the university.

"Because it's just a great privilege to be alive and a part of this growing institution," said Tutas.

There are several events this week for all alumni and their family and friends.

That includes the reunion luau and 5K fun run on Saturday.