One last gratitude note: as if honoring them weren’t privilege enough, each of the honorees gave additional specific gifts. Aunty Mabel donated the Kauai Kookie box favors. Dr. Manago and his daughter Beverly donated Journey of Heroes, a manga telling the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Earlier this school year, Bill Kaneko shared his documentary Removed By Force: The Eviction of Hawai'i’s Japanese Americans During WWII with the student body. And Claude Onizuka pledged to drop by PBA with an astronaut the next time he brings one to Hawai'i. 

To all of you who were able to attend this year’s function, Pacific Buddhist Academy expresses our profound gratitude. For all the rest of our readers, may the next weeks bring you happiness, fulfillment, yummy food, and a time to reflect on the people that make your lives special, just as we were able to admire the honorees of this year’s Lighting Our Way Banquet. 

PBA student involvement is an integral part of the Lighting Our Way experience. For many of the seniors, it’s their first exposure to the professional world. The process begins at the start of the school year, when students are assigned an honoree or organization to interview in preparation of writing the biographies for the banquet program. For student Kai Chang-Schultz, the interview was the most inspiring part of the process.  

“I hope to go to college and major in architecture and political science, eventually working to make a positive difference in the community like Bill Kaneko does,” said Kai. “As a high schooler, I’ve been active with Spill the Tea Café and have found it important to engage in community activities that support the LGBTQ+ community. Bill shared with us about his passion for human rights and I had so many questions to ask him – too many for one afternoon.”  

Senior Alex Michibata was assigned to interview Dr. Takashi Manago. They also met a second time when Dr. Manago and his daughter Beverly were invited to the PBA campus to speak to the senior class and enjoy a taiko performance by student group Hyaku Sen Ki Kai. “I was excited to share that I had met Dr. Manago with my mom and dad. My grandpa was in the air force, and we have always had a lot of respect for people who serve our country. The interview process helped me learn even more about World War II and the sacrifices Dr. Manago made during a time when people were suspicious of Japanese Americans, an experience I can’t imagine, being a Japanese American myself. I learned so much and it was an honor to have met Dr. Manago.”  

While most of the students who attend the banquet each year are seniors, others are asked to perform during dinner, or to offer tribute pieces for the honorees. Junior Aulani Tudela sings in the PBA Rock Band along with Kai, performing songs from Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Sade, and The Bangles. “It was very nerve wracking to see so many people, but it was nice to be able to entertain the honorees who have done so much for the community,” said Aulani. “It’s the least we could do for them.” 

Having been assigned multiple roles that night was senior Rylan Villamor, who interviewed Aunty Mabel over Zoom, performed vocals and ipu to her tribute song “Hele on to Kaua'i,” and led all guests in “Hawai'i Aloha” to conclude the night. “Aunty Mabel has always used her talents to care for the community,” said Rylan. “We learned how much she loves the people of Kaua'i and how her company baked food for people in need during the pandemic. I hope to follow her example by using my passion for music to bring joy to others.” 

Riho Umitani introduced the inspirational organization for the night. “Growing up in a Buddhist household, I was interested to learn about how the Onizukas were members of the Kona Hongwanji. Listening to Claude Onizuka speak about his life and the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial gave me a new perspective on the world and a deeper appreciation for the idea that every day is a gift.” 

The Lighting Our Way Banquet is more than a celebration. It’s a learning opportunity for the students to engage with inspiring leaders and embody the values of gratitude, service, and community. From interviewing honorees to performing tributes, the students demonstrated a deep appreciation for the honorees’ contributions while discovering their own potential to benefit their communities. Through this experience, they honored the past and embraced their roles as future leaders, carrying forward the spirit of compassion and action that the evening represents.