Maui Members of All-State Band Gear Up for Rose Parade

Maui students selected for the Hawaii All State Marching Band. Photo courtesy Kerry K. Wasano, Maui High School Band director.

By Wendy Osher

The president of the Tournament of Roses Parade made an appearance on Maui Sunday night to meet and greet the Maui students selected for the Hawaiʻi All-State Marching Band, Nā Koa Ali’i.

The group, which includes about 50 students from six different high schools on Maui, will participate in the upcoming Rose Parade, scheduled to take place in just two months, on Jan. 1, 2014.

The appearance of the 370-member Hawaiʻi All-State Marching Band is separate from the exclusive invite to Maui High School, which is for the 2015 parade, more than a year away, in Pasadena, California.

Photo courtesy Kerry K. Wasano, Maui High School Band director.

Among the Maui schools represented in the HASMB are Kamehameha Maui, Seabury Hall, Maui High School, King Kekaulike High School, Baldwin High School, and Lahainaluna High School.

Tournament of Roses President, R. Scott Jenkins, led the weekend presentation to recognize the Maui group for their participation in the “Dreams Come True”-themed 125th Rose Parade, which will take place on New Year’s Day, followed by the 100th Rose Bowl Game.

“The 2014 theme is a reminder that not only is it possible to reach seemingly impossible goals, but that by boldly pursuing those goals, we have actually attained them,” said Jenkins in a tournament press release earlier this year.

The upcoming performance will be the third appearance of the HASMB in the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, with past participation in 2009 and 2003.

The HASMB Na Koa Ali’i also performed in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2005 and 2011.

Photo courtesy Kerry K. Wasano, Maui High School Band director.

Photo courtesy Kerry K. Wasano, Maui High School Band director.