Alumni
The Needle (yearbook) is available at the Wally H. Fujii Library. The yearbooks cannot be checked out of the library, but you are welcome to bring your camera or make photocopies of our yearbooks (use our self-service copy machine, 10 cents per copy). During the school day, all visitors are required to check in at the office to receive a visitor's pass, then proceed to the library. It is preferred that you call ahead to let us know you'll be visiting (727-3231). See you soon!
Do you know these people? They are H.P. Baldwin High School Alumni!
Major League Baseball player Kurt Suzuki, sumo champion Jesse Kuhaulua and the late state Rep. Bob Nakasone were among those honored as members of the inaugural H.P. Baldwin High School Hall of Fame.
The other honorees are Glenn Oura, Sue Ann Loudon and the late Jeanette Lorraine Leiohu Alo Barrows. Hall members were honored at the school’s 75th Anniversary Banquet held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club October 2013.
Brief biographies of the honorees follow:
* Barrows, Class of 1942 – the first graduating class from Baldwin. She was a member of the Aloha Club, one of the oldest clubs on campus, and wrote the lyrics for the Baldwin fight song “Come Rally,” as part of a class assignment.
She died March 3, 2003.
* Oura, Class of 1960. He led the Bears to the state baseball championship in 1959 and 1960, being named the most outstanding and most valuable player both years. After college, he returned to his alma mater to teach physical education and special education and to coach the varsity football and baseball teams. He started the Maui’s Special Olympics program in 1971.
* Loudon, drama teacher. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in education in 1963 from Central Missouri State College, Loudon moved to Maui and started teaching at Baldwin in 1964. She would teach at the school for more than 40 years. She directed Baldwin’s Learning Center for Performing Arts, helped 5th-graders experience theater through the program “Broadway Babes,” and oversaw many successful productions, including her last, “Big River.” Loudon was Maui District’s Teacher of the Year three times. She currently lives in Kansas City, Mo., and Maui.
* Jesse Kuhaulua, Class of 1963. He became a sumo wrestler in Japan and was the first foreigner to win the Emperor’s Cup in 1972. Wrestling under the name Takamiyama Daigoro, he still holds the Japanese sport’s record for most tournaments completed, 97, with 1,231 consecutive matches and 1,430 total matches in the top makuuchi division. He also is the first and only foreigner to open his own sumo stable, Azumazeki-Beya. He rose to the rank of sekiwake, the third-highest rank in sumo. At 6 feet 4 inches and 280 pounds, he was the football captain for Baldwin.
* Bob Nakasone, Class of 1958. He established Ameritone Maui and served on the Maui County Council and in the state House of Representatives.The Kahului Democrat worked tirelessly behind the scenes for needed capital improvement projects and other programs to benefit the 9th District (Kahului-Pa'ia) and the state.
Nakasone served on the Maui County Council from 1977 to 1982. Nakasone returned to the council in 1985, serving two more terms. A member of the Maui County Charter Commission from 1991 to 1992, Nakasone began his career in the state House in 1993. He held the position of vice chairman of the Labor & Public Employment Committee since 2003.
Throughout his time in the Legislature, Nakasone served on the influential Finance Committee, where he effectively fought for capital improvement projects. He died Dec. 7, 2008.
*Kurt Suzuki, Class of 2001. He attended California State University, Fullerton, and helped the baseball team win the College World Series in 2004. The Oakland Athletics drafted Suzuki in 2004; he’s also played for the Washington Nationals & the Minnesota Twins. He currently plays for the Atlanta Braves. Hosted the inaugural Kurt Suzuki Baseball Clinic in Maui in 2012 to raise awareness for the All PONO Sports Organization. Started the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation in 2011 to support the scientific research of chronic illnesses-specifically kidney disease research-and encourage and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Is an ambassador for the NephCure Foundation.