USS MAUNA KEA AE-22   Reunions

Shipmates who will be going on Liberty call...



Jerry and Gwen Mouton

Dick and Sharon States

​David and Susan Cannon

Elwood and Lynn Birch

Joseph Roseberry

John Sullivan

​Rob Miner

William "Crow" Cromartie

Clint and Susie Harris

​Dick and Shirley Steffens

Dick and Sue Hollington

​Wayne and Keron Shimkus

Larry Foss

Casey and Barbara Garcia

Tom and Linda Stowell

Mel and Pam Haugerud

John and Cathy Dunton

Freddie and Veria Blacksher

Mike and Lois Hildebrand

Frank and Stephanie Smith

​Paul Snodgrass and Pamela Smith

​​

​Add your name to the list!



Shipmates who will be going on

PIMA Air & Space Museum tour...


David and Susan Cannon

Dick and Sharon States

Jerry and Gwen Mouton

​Joseph (Bozo) Roseberry

Larry Foss

John Sullivan

Rob Miner

Mike and Lois Hildebrand

Mel and Pam Haugerud

Sue Hollington

Elwood and Lynn Birch

Dick and Shirley Steffens

William "Crow" Cromartie

John and Cathy Dunton

Lee Murphy and Kaiija Clark

​Wayne and Keron Shimkus






The Mauna Kea Reunion will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel.  The reunion

dates are October 9-11, 2022 (Sunday-Tuesday).  Checkout will be on Wednesday, Oct 12. This year we are including an "extra" day after the banquet with an open hospitality room if enough shipmates want to stay Wednesday and check out on Thursday the 13th.  We are adding this day in case you want more time to say "goodbye".  Special rate is available Oct. 6th-14th.

This will probably be our last organized reunion, so be sure to attend!

Host for this reunion will be Jerry & Gwen Mouton. 

Co-hosts will be Dick & Sharon States

and David & Susan Cannon







DESERT DIAMOND CASINO AND HOTEL


Jerry has acquired a rate of $124.00 per night plus tax, including a $10.00 per person, per day food credit.  Parking is complimentary.  You will be able to get this rate three days before and three days after the actual reunion dates of Oct 9th,10th, and 11th, based on availability.


​The hotel is a 5-minute drive from the Tucson International Airport.  Rental cars are available at

the airport.  The hotel provides free airport shuttle service and free parking.


When you make your reservation, just tell them you are with the USS Mauna Kea-22, 2022 Reunion group to obtain this pricing.  To make your reservation by phone, call 877-777-4212

or 520-342-3012 (best number).   Reservations must be made by Sept 18, 2022, to get this rate.  Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will result in a charge for one night.  You can also make reservations online by clicking the link below.  If you want to make reservations prior to the 8th, you will need to do so by phone.  If you have a problem making a reservation prior to the 8th at our rate, contact Jerry Mouton or David Cannon and they will give you the name and number of someone who will assist you.


https://reservations.travelclick.com/14819?groupID=3537722


Liberty Call begins on October 9th.  Registration/Hospitality Room will be open at 3:00 PM on the 9th.  The registration desk and Hospitality Room is located on the 4th floor, South.



HOTEL AMENITIES

Complimentary WIFI and Data Port                     Pool and Hot Tub

Coffee Bar open from 6am - 1pm                      Casino - New Slots, Live Roulette, Craps, and Baccarat

Fitness Center - Open 24 Hours                        On-site Restaurants and Buffet

In-Room Safe (Laptop-Size)                               Refrigerator & Coffeemaker                     

Hair Dryer and Make-Up/Shaving Mirror            Iron and Ironing Board



HOTEL/AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pick up baggage at the baggage claim carousel.

​2. Call hotel to request shuttle pickup.  Hotel phone number:  520-342-3100.

    The operator will ask for the guest's name and phone number that you can be reached at.  They will

    give an estimate of pickup time.

3. Walk out the main doors and go across BOTH streets.  To the right you will see the pickup area.            The Hotel pickup areas are on the right side.

4. Wait there until you see the complimentary Desert Diamond Shuttle Van.  The shuttle van only runs

    between 6:30 am - 10:30 pm Monday thru Sunday.  If the shuttle is not available, the hotel will 

    tell you to take a taxi and they will pay for it.

5. Be sure to schedule your return shuttle early - upon check-in is a good time.  Last minute request 

    for your return shuttle to the airport might not be met on time.


SHIP' STORE

Mauna Kea shirts, caps, and pins will be available in the ship's store.  Plan to buy extra since this will be last reunion.


TOURS

​We have planned two tours:


On Monday, the Desert Diamond shuttle will take guests to the PIMA Air and Space Museum.  There, you can view 400+ aircraft.  The $40 cost of the tour includes transportation from the hotel to the museum, general admission, and a private narrated tram tour of the outdoor exhibits.  The tram tour will last approximately 45 minutes.  You will then have time to tour the 6 air-cooled hangers at your leisure.   The 390th Memorial Museum is also on this property, and it is devoted to the 390th Bomb Group from WWII.  We will be at the museum 3 to 4 hours.  There is a restaurant on site if you need to rest and have a snack or drink. We will leave the hotel around 8:45 AM.  Sign up for this tour when your send in your Registration form with meal/tour selection.


On Tuesday morning, the hotel shuttle will take guests to the Sonoran Desert Museum.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, aviary, and art gallery founded in 1952. It features two miles of walking paths traversing 21 acres of desert landscape. It is one of the most visited attractions in Southern Arizona. 

You will purchase your ticket at the door for this tour ($27.95).  We will be at this location 2 to 3 hours.

This tour is not listed on the registration form, and you do not have to pay in advance.  Please let us know if you plan to take this tour.  The hotel shuttle holds 20 guests.  If more guests would like to go we will ask for some shipmates to drive (approximately 20 miles).


​You can check out each of the locations' website.


We will have information on other points of interest, including those that have private tours available.  This information will be available in the Hospitality Room.  Contact your friends that will be attending and arrange trips to some of these locations, sharing rides with those who will have cars available.

And of course, this is a casino resort.  Bring your cash!



BANQUET/HOSPITALITY ROOM  

The Hospitality Room will open on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 3 PM.  and remain open until 10 PM.  It will be open daily with beverages (beer, wine, sodas, water, and snacks).  The hours will be posted daily.


Our banquet will be held on Tuesday evening.  We will have a cash bar open 6 PM - 7 PM. 


Please be sure to mail your menu selections and payment to Jerry Mouton ASAP.  The $50 pp registration includes the banquet meal, entertainment (DJ), food and beverages for the Hospitality Room, and Miscellaneous expenses for the reunion.  Be sure to bring your dancing shoes