FROM THE PRESIDENT

In this 30th year of existence of the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band, I am truly honored to be re-elected as President of the Board of Directors of this great organization. Re-elected with me are the officers: Vice-Presidents-Jean Serikawa and Jay Junker; Secretary-John Hassler; Treasurer-Ricardo D. Trimillos; and Chairman-Niklaus Schweizer. Together with the board members and Executive Director, Joseph Ruszkowski, we are working hard to make the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band a strong voice in our community.

The first major event, our 30th Annual Meeting and Aha Aina, was held on February 28, 2009 at the Queen Emma Summer Palace. My special mahalo to co-chairpersons Jean Serikawa and Bill Souza. In addition, I would like to thank the board members, benefactors, sponsors, and members for their contributions, financial support, and attendance at our annual event. During the meeting, David Bandy and Aaron Mahi were elected to the Board of Directors. As usual, the food was wonderful as was the music performed by George Kuo, Martin, Pahinui, and Aaron Mahi. Special guests added to the evening’s ambience: Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, City and County of Honolulu; Pelekikena Donnalei Smythe, Ahahui Ka’ahumanu Society; Regent Gerry Miyamoto, President of the Daughters of Hawai’i; Iku Hai Harriet Smith, Hale O Na Ali’i; Ms. Marlene Ebeo, member of Hale O Na Ali’i; Mr. Kenneth Hayes, architectual historian of the United States Army, and Mr. James Billam-Walker, great-grandson of Henry Berger.

The next event was the presentation of two commissioned band arrangements of “Nani Waimea” and “Hawaiian Hits Medley 2009,” to the City and County of Honolulu. The FRHB Board of Directors, in its effort to preserve Hawaiian music, commissioned Matt Catingub, composer, arranger, and renowned conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Pops, to arrange two selections of Hawaiian melodies specifically for the Royal Hawaiian Band. On June 26, 2009, it was my honor to present the music to Mayor Mufi Hanneman and Bandmaster Michael Nakasone in the presence of board members David Bandy and Bill Souza; member Charles Kapua; and Executive Director Joe Ruszkowski and his son Little Joe. This presentation was especially significant because it has been more than a decade that commissioned pieces were composed for the Royal Hawaiian Band. Before parting company, I suggested that a televised concert to premier the music by the Royal Hawaiian Band be presented at the State Art Museum in the fall of 2009. I also added that Nola Nahulu and her groups, Kawaiolaonapukanileo and the Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus, could be asked to perform in the program. Both Mayor Hanneman and Bandmaster Nakasone were receptive to the idea of this concert. Look forward to the announcement of this performance in the very near future.

Another exciting event in the works is the project “Bring Back the Music” introduced by our Executive Director, Joe Ruszkowski. He and a group of volunteers will bike around Oahu in a campaign to collect musical instruments that will be donated to schools in Hawai’i. Although the board is still discussing the logistics of this project, Joe has been working with instrument distributors to repair and maintain the instruments before they are given to the Department of Education. If you would like to bike, volunteer your services , or donate instruments,  please contact Joe Ruszkowski at contact@royalhawaiianband.com.

Finally, the Friends will again sponsor the Hawaiian March Competition in the Aloha Week Festival Parade in September 2009. The main purpose of the competition is to encourage school bands to play Hawaiian music.

As we continue to plan and carry out our various projects and events, we invite you to forward ideas and comments. Please feel free to call me at 455-3985 or e-mail leea030@hawaii.rr.com Your involvement and input  will be invaluable.

I hope this newsletter has found you in good health and enjoying the summer.

Pumehana no,

Antoinette ‘Toni’ Lee

President