The Punahou Alumni Association presented Hastings Judd Kauwela “Pal” Eldredge with its highest honor, the “O” in Life Award, on May 16, 2013, at a luncheon on the Punahou School campus. PAA President Bonnie Pang presented Eldredge with the award, which has been given annually since 1954 to an alumnus or alumnae who exemplifies the ideals of service to Punahou School and the Hawai‘i community. Recent awardees include Bob Akinaka, Judy Sheehan Dawson and Warren K.K. Luke.

Co-nominator and close friend Michael Moss highlighted Eldredge’s lifelong commitment to others. “Pal’s been blessed with a very giving heart. For his family, his friends, his students, his players, his music, his Hawaiian culture, his community, Pal is all in,” Moss said. “He’s dedicated his adult life in service to Punahou and the community … and improved the lives of so many others.”

Tears flowed as Mid-Pacific Institute students and faculty in Honolulu bid farewell to their beloved President Joe Rice in a surprise assembly in his honor on Friday, May 17. Rice, who became president when the class of 2013 was being born, could not contain his emotions as students paid tribute to him, sang and danced for him, and gave him many warm hugs and handshakes.

“I love you all and I will NEVER  forget you,” Rice told the assembly.

Among his achievements as head of the Manoa school, Rice:

• Launched a program that put iPads in the hands of every student and teacher this year.
• Created a new elementary school
• Opened new tech, math and science facilities.
• Added real estate to expand the campus
• Installed campus-wide air conditioning.

Most recently, he cheered the Mid-Pacific baseball team to its fifth state Division I baseball title.

John R. Wooden Course Basketball Camp Builds Fundamentals for Life

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i (May 6, 2013) –Boys and girls ages 6 – 18 will have the opportunity to learn the techniques and philosophy of a legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach at the John R. Wooden Course Basketball Camp, held June 3 – 6, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Punahou School’s Hemmeter Fieldhouse. Led by Craig Impelman, former assistant basketball coach at UCLA, the camp covers all aspects of the “Wooden Way,” including in-depth training in skills, team fundamentals and values. Punahou varsity basketball coaches will assist with instruction. Cost to attend is $200 per student, with online registration open until May 31, 2013, at www.punahou.edu/clinics. For more information, please contact the Punahou Athletics Office at 808.944.5816.