The standout athlete at Punahou School in the 1950s is still slugging away in a recreational softball league.
Francis Lum, 90, runs to first base after connecting for a hit during Monday’s Makule league softball game at Ala Wai Field. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Francis Lum turned 90 years old on October 2. He was a star athlete at Punahou School in the 1950’s. Together with his partner, Leona Pereza, who is a competitive paddler and weightlifter, Lum stays active five days a week as perhaps the most popular softball player in the Makule League, a recreational softball league for adults 55 and older.
Lum pitches on Monday in Mōʻiliʻili. He usually alternates between pitching and catching for his team. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum celebrated his birthday with a party at East Side Bar and Grill in Kāneʻohe that included lots of ono food, Hawaiian music and laughs.
Lum blows out candles on his birthday cake during his 90th birthday party celebration Saturday at East Side Bar and Grill in Kāneʻohe. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum smiles while receiving a birthday balloon during his party Saturday attended by family, friends, teammates and even classmates from his Punahou days. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum sings a duet with girlfriend Leona Pereza, middle. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Due to inclement weather, the grand plans of playing softball on his actual birthday on October 2 were postponed, but Monday brought blue skies and a perfect day at the ballpark.
Never without a smile, Lum returns to the dugout with teammates at the end of an inning during a softball game Monday at Ala Wai Field. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum connects for a double during Monday’s game. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum grabs his mitt prior to taking to the field to pitch. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum, right, shakes hands with teammate Vince Kanemoto after his double. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum warms up on deck prior during a softball game Monday at Ala Wai Field. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum, right, shares a laugh with teammate Fetu Sue after his at-bat. “He still hustles, it’s so inspiring, I hope to be like him when I get to 90,” Sue says.(Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum watches from the dugout with the same intensity and competitiveness as in his high school years. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum shows off an MVP ring presented to him by late UH coach John Nakamura. Lum keeps the ring in his bat bag at all times. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum throws the ball to first base after fielding a ground ball. (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
Lum, wearing No. 33, prepares to bat as his teammates cheer him on. After two at-bats in which he got on base twice — a single and a double — Lum says before grabbing his bat, “You know, if we get this win, that makes 24 wins in a row for us.” (Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026)
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