By Patricia L. Dau | Special to the Herald

Sitting in Holy Trinity Church at the Mass on Sept. 4 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school, I reflected back on the last 50 years. It was 50 years ago today that I was one of those bright-eyed students filled with wonder at what the new school year would bring. It was a brand new school which meant brand new friends and teachers. The school had only first, second and third grades and I was a third grader. Every year I was in the grade that was added until I graduated in June of 1965.

There are many wonderful memories, and friends I still keep in touch with today. It was a much simpler time. Kalanianaole was two lanes, Hawaii Kai had not yet been built and the nearest shopping center was Aina Haina. Tether ball and four square were the favorite games at recess. The girls’ uniform required that you wore a full slip under your uniform and black and white saddle shoes with anklets, plus a little white lace cap for church. The boys had dress pants, shirt and dress shoes with socks. The only free dress days were Aloha Week Friday and May Day.

You brought your lunch in a tin lunch pail usually with your favorite character on it. It also had a thermos bottle for juice or soup. Dropping it meant the glass inside would break and have to be replaced. You had a book bag for books and homework and you were really “in” if you had a Pan Am bag for your book bag. It was a happy time except for the two years when we lost classmates to a degenerative disease.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange taught at the school. You were expected to listen, behave and do your schoolwork. You did not question it because those were the rules, usually the same ones your parents had. Religion was important. We attended Mass regularly and sang it in Latin. The values that were instilled here and encouraged at home have gotten me through life. The Faith that was taught at school and also lived at home has carried me through many of life’s rough spots.

History was being made at a rapid pace. Vatican II was convened, the space program started, we went from propeller planes to jet to get to and from the mainland, Hawaii Kai was starting to be built and President Kennedy died.

I hope those bright faces in church today will look back in 50 years and have the same warm memories of their years at Holy Trinity School. My hope is they will still find important the values they were taught and the Faith that was a part of their school day is still a part of their day then. Hopefully they will still be in contact with some of the friends they made. I hope that on Sept 4, 2059, one of the children at today’s Mass will be sitting in Mass here with the same warm memories I have today.