Po e ho‛omana‛o ai*
The night of May 20, 1973 was delightfully warm and dry on the island of Oahu. Arcing above those of us out on the veranda was a glorious starlit sky. Far below, outside the windows, the silver sands of Waikiki Beach and the lights of Honolulu were putting on a show of their own. From our penthouse perch we could hear the surf, but just barely over the din of the joyful voices and laughter inside mixing with tunes rocking a boombox brought for the occasion. As with any solid party, along with the music, there was food, a more than ample bar, and an amazing group of hosts gathering with great friends.
Were you celebrating there? Perhaps courtesy of, or as one of, The Ten Cruisin’ Cronies?
We had many reasons to be celebrating that night. It was the last night we would spend in port together as one of our series of 17 ports of call, which began in Port Everglades, Florida and would be ending all too soon in Los Angeles. We also knew in the coming days most of our time would be spent on cramming for final exams, so there was the contagious collegiate need to cut loose beforehand. Additionally, we were celebrating the unique community we’d created and the unbelievably intense friendships we’d forged with fellow students, professors, staff, and crew. All of whom were represented there. Plus, the Cronies, themselves, were celebrating that we’d managed to actually pull off our dream party and it was unfolding flawlessly according to our plan!
And what an audacious plan it was! Especially when considering we did it in the days before email, internet, and cell phones. Heck, to run copies of our invitations we only had the use of a mimeograph machine!
In early May, a day or two after leaving Japan and with our ship making a mere 6 knots atop the Pacific due to a significantly impaired boiler, ten friends gathered in a stateroom amidships. In the midst of the usual BS and chatter, while watching our cans of beer sway with the swells of the ocean, someone pronounced “We all know nobody wants our voyage to end, but it’s going to anyway. So we need to throw a hellacious farewell party in Hawaii!” Soon a pledge was sworn to hold said party the sole night we were scheduled to spend in Hawaii. The Ten Cruisin’ Cronies were also born that night as part and parcel of that pledge.
As you can see from our invitation our audacity extended to our commitment of securing a Waikiki penthouse as our venue! Hours of planning were wedged between studying, classes, sleeping, and the occasional beer.
The price of admission was set at $5.00 a couple to cover the cost of our as yet unknown Waikiki Beach hotel’s penthouse suite, food, and an open bar. We limited each of the Ten to their date and one guest couple. We then expanded that invitation list to include a few favored professors, Deans Alderson and Harrison, and crew members including Captain Koo and First Mate David as our guests
The minute we docked in Honolulu Harbor the Cronies took off in various directions, each with their separate dictates to accomplish to make our party a reality. Still to this day it seems amazing the Cronies assigned to finding a location were successful! Somehow they not only secured us a spot, but as promised it was a penthouse suite! We’d be partying atop the famed Ilikai Hotel smack-dab on Waikiki Beach!
That evening, dressed in our finest party attire, personally in my recently custom-made all white tuxedo, a small group of us first dined at La Ronde restaurant. La Ronde was the first revolving restaurant built in the US and sat perched atop what at the time was the largest shopping mall in the States. Then it was off to the Ilikai where we were met by their brass encrusted callboard proclaiming ‘Ten Cruisin’ Cronies: Penthouse’.
Thanks to everyone’s hard work the party was an incredible success! Garnering high kudos from all, including both our Deans and our Captain as added proof.
In the wee hours of the morning, after finding the suite’s bedrooms being put to appropriate use, a group of us walked back to our ship. Approaching our quay, but not ready to end such a magical night, we stopped for an impromptu swim in the fountain at the foot of Aloha Tower. While my tux didn’t live past that swim we all believe our example that night was later stolen and used by the producers of Friends!
We all have those days, dates, and times in our lives that live on and on in us. For The Ten Cruisin’ Cronies today is one of those and it’s enthusiastically seared within our memories!
Special salutes today to Cruisin’ Cronies Bill, Bob, Buz, Dale, Dave, Grant, Jeff, Mike, and Tom – plus to all those who joined us this night – from your fellow Cronie, Scott.
May we all keep on safely cruisin’!
*A night to remember