BACK IN BLACK
As the AC/DC song goes, we’re “Back in Black”! After a three year hiatus — result of the COVID pandemic — the Wolfhounds & Peace Bridge were able to honor the tradition begun in 1957 by bringing four orphans from the Holy Family Home to Hawaii for the traditional, trip-of-a-lifetime!
THE ARRIVAL:
July 20, 12:00pm two boys (Riku & Motohisa) and two girls (Riona & Himeno) arrived to a welcome hosted by the Wolfhounds. Over 100 leis were presented to the guests of honor, dignitaries included 1-27 Battalion Commanders Ryan Case, and Peter Leszczynski (2-27), various local politicians, community leaders, Deputy consul general of Japan, and the mayor’s representative. Over 200 people turned out to welcome our honored guests! The Wolfhounds received two proclamations – one from the mayor and another from the governor – declaring July 20, 2023 “Wolfhound Day” in Hawaii!
As its always been, the children were hosted by Wolfhound families, enjoying the opportunity to not only experience Hawaii, but a taste of family life. There was plenty of time in the schedule for the children to enjoy day-to-day life with their host families, but we’d also organized a number of unforgettable events that were fun for all.
KUALOA RANCH
Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre nature preserve where many Hollywood features have been filmed: Jurassic Park, King Kong, Jumanji, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, Lost, to name a few. This provided a beautiful backdrop to a day where the kids and host families were able to learn about Hawaiian culture and farming. Everyone participated in planting and harvesting taro (a local tuber which is the source of poi), and afterwards participated in making lunch while they were entertained by Hawaiian music and hula dancers!
WOLFHOUNDS DAY
A special treat for the kids. They got to experience first-hand what it means to be a Wolfhound!
The children began their day at the Engagement Skills Theater at Schofield. There they were able to use Army equipment in a simulator (rifles and machine guns – all replicas of actual weapons). While at the engagement skills theater, they also got to sit in several Army vehicles – HMMWVs and LMTV Trucks.
After lunch former 2-27 commander Col. Barrett Bernard (ret.), gave them a history of the Wolfhounds using archival photos. They toured D quad – the “home of the Wolfhounds” – and spoke with the soldiers.
The children were taught how to make traditional Hawaiian flower leis which they took with them to the Schofield cemetery where they visited the graves of MSgt Hugh O’Reilly and his wife Yuko. Children at the Holy Family Home are raised learning the history of the Wolfhounds, so this was an important moment for them.
KOALOHA UKULELE
KoAloha has been a longtime supporter of this Legacy and the Wolfhounds. In fact they often donate a custom ukulele as an auction item at reunions.
The kids and host families were treated to a barbecue, followed by a personal tour of the ukulele factory. Afterwards they enjoyed a personal concert by one of Hawaii’s premier ukulele entertainers (Jonah Davis) who gave each of them individual lessons on the basics of ukulele playing!
When they left each of the children from the home were presented with their own, personalized KoAloha ukulele as a keepsake. Of course the host families also received gifts!
WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
Another special day for the kids. The visit started with a greeting from the aquarium director – Dr. Andrew Rossiter – who gifted them with special leis. Since there is so much beach time for the kids, they enjoyed seeing what’s under the sea. They truly enjoyed themselves and it was hard to get them moving onto the next activity!
OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB
The Outrigger Canoe Club (OCC) is a private, beachfront club on Waikiki Beach. OCC is a “Legacy” supporter of sorts, having hosted the very first children from the home to visit Hawaii in 1957. They were pleased to once again put on a beachside lunch and a day of fun in the sun!
REGIMENTAL PICNIC
What a great turnout! Hundreds of soldiers from both battalions joined together for a day of camaraderie, fun & games at Weyand Field. Our guests from Osaka had certainly never seen anything like this as Wolfhounds and their families joined together to celebrate what it means to be a Wolfhound. Nothing like an outdoor barbecue!. The kids from the home showed their appreciation by performing a traditional Japanese dance for the crowd!
BISHOP MUSEUM
On to a bit of culture for our guests from Japan. The kids and host families were given a special, behind-the-scenes tour of the oldest museum in Hawaii – the Bishop Museum. Built in 1889, the museum houses artifacts from Hawaii’s history. In addition everyone was invited to a private showing at the Bishop planetarium.
HILTON LAGOON
Waikiki Beach Services came through once again with a fantastic day at the beach for the kids and host families. Located in the picturesque Hilton Waikiki lagoon, the kids were given free reign of all the water toys. Since this was their last outing of the trip, they left with Hawaiian sun tans and smiling faces!
FAREWELL CEREMONY
The Wolfhounds said goodbye to their honored guests at D Quad, historic home of the Wolfhounds. Soldiers from both battalions, family members and honored guests turned out to bid a fond “aloha” to the children. The kids were given presents from the families, and the Wolfhounds closed with a tradition begun in 1947, “passing the hat”! There wasn’t a dry eye in the place…
This was by any reckoning a “Trip of a Lifetime” for the kids and all of us who were honored to be a part of this incredible experience. The most important point to remember is that this is a Wolfhound Legacy – one that has endured for 66 years. Your spirit and loyalty to the Wolfhound cause is what gives this legacy life. None of us will let this tradition die.
There are many, many more photos and stories to tell. If any of you are interested, please reach out to us at Peace Bridge and we’ll be happy to share. www.peace-bridge.org