Hawaii's first statewide marching band is calling on the community to help it raise $54,000 so that it can take part in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. Hawaii marching band
works to get to Rose ParadeBy Susan Essoyan
sessoyan@starbulletin.com"These kids have been working so hard, and they've raised so much money so far," said Michael Payton, director of the Hawaii All-State Marching Band, Na Koa Alii. "But we need more to buy uniforms and to bring the neighbor island kids over so they can practice together and bond as a team."
The band features nearly 400 students from 60 schools statewide, both public and private.
Students have already paid more than $1,000 each for airfare and other costs to get to the parade in Pasadena, Calif., and the James & Abigail Campbell Foundation made a $10,000 donation to the Kahuku High School Marching Band, which is fielding the largest contingent in the band.
Bands must have at least 150 members to be considered for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Because only a few bands in the islands qualify, the Hawaii All-State Band was formed. It will be one of the largest bands to participate this year.
"It's a great chance for all the small schools to get together and be represented in the parade," Payton said. "We just need some help from the community."
The parade attracts more than 1 million spectators and another 300 million television viewers.
Anyone interested in contributing can send checks to: Hawaii All-State Marching Band, 45-419 Mokulele Drive No. 4, Kaneohe, HI 96744. For more information, contact John Riggle at 247-2651.