Kauai kids strut stuff
in Rose Parade

The All-Island Band marched
in grass skirts and leis

The practices were grueling, the fund raising seemed overwhelming.

But in the end, say members of Kauai's All-Island Ku Kilakila Band, it was all worth it.

The band, composed of middle- and high schoolers from all over Kauai, became the first from the island to march in yesterday's Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. The parade's crowds roared with applause when they saw the 300-member group traveling along the parade route in grass skirts and leis.

"The crowd just went wild," said Jessica Callejo, a 10th-grader at Waimea High School who plays alto saxophone. "I think everybody did so awesome. ... I was proud of myself, and I was proud of my band."

The band, which includes private and public school students and even one homeschooler, started practicing for the parade about eight months ago.

"After you finish, it's just a really good feeling," said Samantha Cummings, a 10th-grader at Waimea High School.

The students got support from all over Kauai to get to Pasadena. The trip cost about $600,000 for uniforms, food, travel and other expenses.

The band also saw an overwhelming amount of support from yesterday's parade goers, many of whom shouted "aloha" at the players.

About halfway through the event, the parade was stalled by a broken-down float. Instead of just standing in place, the band started to play their "Hawaiian war chant."

"They loved seeing us dancing," said Mallory Miner, a ninth-grader at Kauai High School. "They were like, 'Shake it, shake it.' It was awesome."

Led by band director Larry McIntosh, now in his 40th year as director of the band program at Kauai High School, the band returns to the islands today and will perform in the Kauaian Days parade on Jan. 15. For more information on the band, go to its Web site at www.allkauaiband.com.