Brent Kunimoto (1982) was lost but now is found!
He returned to the home of Honolulu several years ago after working on the mainland following graduation.
Brent was one of several Hawaiian brothers during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including Peter Nakagawa, Paul Goto and Ru Shigozawa (I probably spelled that name wrong). They introduced the mainland brothers to traditional pig roasts in the backyard of Sigma Pi Manor for rush and other parties.
Brent taught the pledges how to dig a pit in the dirt (somewhere between the basketball hoops and fences), built an oven of cinderblocks, slather salt, pepper and butter on the pig, package with foil and chickenwire, and wait six hours or so to cook.
Brent’s friends were Dave Shiokari, Mark Helmick, Dave Pulaski and George Knisley, a lieutenant colonel who recently returned from a tour in Iraq. He also remembers Greg “Cool-gaz” Khougaz, who even back then was always trying to serenade ladies upstairs to his room with his guitar (still doing it 30 years later).
The house was a mix of ladies’ men and bookwormy types, and had its share of “Animal House” moments. Brent’s room in the condos was similar to Otter’s lounge (though the wife of the dean never visited) with tract light and blenders blending regularly until 2:00 am. Sometimes 50 people would be in the vicinity — 20 in the room, 30 in the hallway –while Brent and his roomie needed to study. But, they dealt with it in stride and mixed another batch!
Brent earned his MBA and lived in Los Angeles on and off for 15 years, working for Arthur Andersen and General Mills before returning to Hawaii. He now works for Diamond Bakery (www.DiamondBakery.com) — try their Hawaiian animal crackers!
Brent’s family has grown since returning, which has cut into his surfing time. Though, he hopes to take up kite surfing soon, too. But he has a “wonderful” wife, Cheryl, and they have a 2-year-old Michelle and 4-year-old, Justin.