Symphony director
renews contract

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Call off the search for a new Honolulu Symphony executive director. Michael Tiknis is staying after the symphony's board of directors this week agreed to provide him "some assistance with housing" costs.

Tiknis in August announced he was leaving after the current season because of Hawaii's high cost of living, specifically housing.

Details of the housing assistance has not been decided by the board, but Tiknis expects it could include either a monthly subsidy or a down payment on a home to be repaid over several years.

The money will come from symphony board members' individual contributions and not the organization's budget, said Lynne Johnson, board president. Tiknis' current $104,000 annual salary will not be increased.

"The symphony will purchase part of the house and give it back to Michael over time as he repays (the debt)," Johnson said. "It will be like a down payment."

Currently there are about 38 board members, expected to increase to 43, Johnson said. "Just a few might contribute or maybe several," she said. "Details will be worked out over the next few months."

Johnson said the idea was that of incoming symphony chairman Bob Levy, a major symphony contributor who "really wanted Michael to stay." Levy takes over Nov. 18.

Tiknis said he does not expect to purchase a home in his current Koko Head neighborhood.

Tiknis has been working on a year-to-year contract and his decision to stay is just another year's extension. However, in a news release, Tiknis said he "looks forward to many years" with the Honolulu Symphony.

Tiknis said his decision to stay was strongly influenced by the "substantial concern and sincere appreciation" of sponsors, Symphony staff and the orchestra.

He said he was particularly touched by an impassioned, "very personal" letter from Norio Ohga, Sony Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer, who expressed Sony's appreciation for what Tiknis had done in helping rebuild the orchestra and asked what it would take to keep him in Hawaii.

"The Honolulu Symphony has flourished wonderfully in recent years, thanks to the commitment and hard work of (Michael Tiknis) Ohga said in a symphony news release."

Sony is a major contributor to the symphony, having in the last few years contributed $500,000. The corporation may donate another $300,000 in the next year, sources said.

Tiknis said his resignation announcement was not done to force the board to come up with more money.

"I clearly understand the financial restraints on this organization," he said. "And I could not in good faith accept an increase in salary while the musicians are paid such a low salary."