Pictured with Principal Tonata Lolesio, State Representative and Sacred Hearts School graduate Angus McKelvey made a guest appearance to present a certificate from the Hawaii Legislature to commemorate the school’s 160th Anniversary. The certificate recognized the school’s ability to persevere through intense obstacles. Sacred Hearts School survived severe storm damage in 1948 and an arson fire in 1971, but it continues to provide outstanding faith-based education to the children of West Maui.

LAHAINA — On Oct. 14, 2022, Sacred Hearts School held an event to celebrate its 160th anniversary.

Principal Tonata Lolesio shared with excitement: “There were so many highlights of the evening — one of them was the presence of Benny Uyetake.”

Uyetake was a former teacher at Sacred Hearts and composed the school’s alma mater back in 1988.

Staff and alumni alike were overwhelmed that he was able to attend the event and sing the song he wrote for the school on its new, big stage! Uyetake asked students and alumni in the audience to join him onstage to sing with him.

The song captivates the essence of Sacred Hearts School. The Alma Mater is still sung weekly by students and teachers and can be read in its entirety on the school website, under Legacy. To share the opening lines: “… O wherever we will go, and whatever we will do. Our loyalty and our love for our God will always be true. And no matter where our paths may lead, our spirits will never part. The joyful times and the friends we have made at good ole Sacred Hearts.” Uyetake was excited to be on his old stomping grounds and visit with other alumni.

Alumni in attendance included current school Board President Alton DeGama. Alton was in eighth grade when Uyetake wrote the song. His daughter, Whitney, graduated this past May and is now a student at Lahainaluna High School. The oldest alumni class present at the event was the Class of 1954. Puanani Felicilda and Butch Soares were the proud members who represented the Class of 1954.

The celebration came together with the help of Jo-Lynn Smyth, who helped to organize the food donations. She also created banners, flyers and spread the word through social media.

The DeGama family worked hard to sell tickets and gather the alumni to attend, researching and going through archives to find as many members as they could.

The lineup of events for the evening included dances choreographed by Kumu Kehau Ka’auwai, whose hula club girls performed “Kanaka.”

Kumu Char Ako’s dancers, which included alumni, performed to “No Luna I Ka Halekai No Kama’alew.”

Fourth-grader Mina Paje graced the audience with a song, and eighth-graders Justice Gonsalves and Jeremaiah Layugan shared their experiences as students at Sacred Hearts School. Justice is the council president, and Jeremiah is the vice president.

Fuzz Box, located in Emerald Plaza, ran sound and projection, and provided the screen for the evening.

The band La Hui entertained the crowd with live music, and Alakai Paleka was the emcee and host for the 160th celebration.

The food of the night was delicious, including dishes of fish, chicken, rice, salad, butter mochi and more!

So many thanks go out to the sponsors: Kalei’s Lunchbox, The Sheraton Maui, Down the Hatch, Duke’s Beach House, The Plantation House Restaurant, Leilani’s on the Beach, the Hyatt Regency and Penne Pasta Cafe.

The evening was filled with amazing entertainment, a speech by Principal Lolesio, ono grinds and alumni hanging out talking story!

The performances concluded with everyone holding hands and singing “Hawaii Aloha.”