December 2016 | Volume 92, Issue IV | Honolulu, Hawai‘i | A Voice for Students Since 1923
Pearl Harbor: Honoring The Past, Inspiring The Future By Sean Callahan ’18
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or most, December 7 is much like every other day. However, for a few courageous Americans, this date is a reminder of the day that their lives were forever changed. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor without warning, American soldiers around the island were thrust into the middle of World War II. Despite overwhelming odds, the Americans fought off the attack and preserved the integrity of the crucial Pacific Fleet. During this ordeal, the soldiers exemplified the resolve and determination that came to characterize American efforts during the war. On December ninth, 30 of these courageous Pearl Harbor survivors visited the ‘Iolani campus to share their stories with the community. The visit was sponsored jointly by the Raiders For Wounded Warriors Club and The Greatest Generation Foundation. This event was part of a larger tour of the island that the Pearl Harbor survivors took to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the infamous attack on American forces stationed across Oahu which brought America into World War II. As part of their “last visit” to Hawaii, the survivors visited campus, talked with students, and were honored with a new tree. For over an hour, the survivors met with students in small groups and talked about their experiences. Topics ranged from the attack on Pearl Harbor to their experience fighting abroad, and various other topics. The ‘Iolani students also had the opportunity to pose questions to the survivors and start a conversation. Cameron Pascua ’17, co-president of the Raiders for Wounded Warriors club, appreciated the significance of the interaction saying, “These people have done some amazing things, and it’s awesome that they get to tell their stories to the next generation.” After meeting with students, the Pearl Harbor survivors moved to the Eddie Hamada Track and Field to participate in a tree planting ceremony. Following speeches by the Raiders for Wounded Warriors Club and The Greatest Generation Foundation, the veterans rose
to help place the ceremonial first soil into the hole. The tree represents the bond forged between ‘Iolani and the heroic people who fought throughout World War II. The tree will stand for years as a physical manifestation of ‘Iolani’s gratitude and respect for these individuals.
By Luke Hagi ’20
Cartoon by Kylie Murayama ’17
Stage Band Takes the Big Apple By Eve Huddleston ’19
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he ‘Iolani Stage Band, comprised of the three stage band levels which include players from grades 7-12, and the Hula Halau Dancers will brighten the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts stage in Washington D.C. on December 12 as part of the Millennium Stage Concert Series. ‘Iolani was selected based on an impressive application, which included a video and audio recording, and a recommendation from Mr. Joe McCarthy, leader of Afro-Bop Alliance, a Grammy- Award winning jazz group. Mr. McCarthy will join the ‘Iolani group as a guest performer. Stage Band will also play at Lincoln Center Workshop on December 23. The group will tour New York and Washington D.C.,
and visit museums, the Gettysburg Battlefield and the 911 Memorial at the World Trade Center. They will also take in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway; a NBA game; a performance of world-class jazz at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, a jazz club at Lincoln Center; and ice skate on Christmas Day. Students began rehearsing in early September and met most week days at 7:00 am. “It requires dedication and hard work from the students to get to school earlier on most days, and to learn the additional music outside of class, but they have been focused and committed to putting on a great show,” said stage band instructor Curtis Abe. Stage Band will accompany the Hula Halau in playing “A’oia,” “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Waikiki,” and “White Christmas.” “Aunty Lehua and the Hula Halau joined the stage band on our first tour to Japan in 2010, and have been a part of our travels ever since,” said Abe. “The girls in the Halau always dance beautifully; they add a Hawaiian component that is unique and identifiable for our group when we perform abroad, and the genre of contemporary Hawaiian music fits perfectly within the repertoire we play, so it’s a great match.” Stage Band will also play “Blue Note Blues” by Jeff Jarvis; “Humanism” by Jonathan M. Batiste and arranged by Paul Martha; “Jumpin at Colby Watasa ’17, Karissa Dunn ’18, and Nathan Hue ’18 practice for their the Woodsie” by Count Basie; and “Nutvill” by performance at the Kennedy Center in New York Horace Silver.
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