High school sweethearts named prom king and queen at ‘Senior Prom’ in Kapolei

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Games, stories, deserts and a red carpet. Ilima at Leihano Senior Living Community hosted students from Island Pacific Academy for their own version of senior prom to create new friendships.

“I expected to come here and have fun and meet a few people but honestly I had more fun here tonight in the couple hours I’ve been here than I did at my real prom this Saturday,” said Island Pacific Academy student Amelie Kitakis.

And what’s a prom without dancing?

“I like the way they danced at the end so coordinated. I was impressed with that,” explained Prom Queen Lila Ashitomi. I watched their feet move at the same time, the same way to the music. They really impressed me.”

Lila Ashitomi and her husband, Ken, were named prom queen and king. It was a surprise, even though it’s fitting that they’re high school sweethearts.

“We were wondering who was going to be queen and king actually, we had no idea,” she added.

Ken said he’s had his eyes on Lila since he saw her in church when they were kids.

“7th grade but she never looked at me and we started to date in junior year in high school, we went to college together, and then after we graduated we got married in 1956,” said Prom King Ken Ashitomi.

68 years after tying the knot, they are still deeply in love.

“They took pictures of us kissing, and they said ‘Wow,'” he said.

As for what advice they offered the students, the Ashitomis said to find the right partner. Through four daughters, 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, it’s worked for them.

Ken added “My greatest thing is, I have my wife with me 24 hours a day. Yay!”