HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.005 2008-2010March 22, 2010
Aloha,
My name is Michael D. Nakasone, and I am writing as a private citizen in support
of the Hawaii County Band. I was born and raised in Hilo. My roots are here, and
everything that I have accomplished has sprung from growing up local. I have served for
over 36 years as a band director for the Department of Education and 21 years as a
conductor with the Hawaii Youth Symphony Association.
Throughout the years, Hawaii has seen many changes. I grew up in the era that
saw Hawaii go from Territory to State. It was a time when many of us had grandparents
who were immigrants. They worked hard, and they embraced and contributed to, without
replacing, the wonderful culture they lived in.
Music has always permeated every fiber of Hawaii and is a rich heritage. We see
it in the legacy of the Hawaiian monarchs, among them Queen Lili uokalani, King
Kalakaua, and King Kamehameha III, who formally established the Royal Hawaiian
Band, the band of which I am honored and privileged to be bandmaster today. Music has
always been an integral part of life in Hawaii, not an add -on.
When growing up, I was part of the Waiakeawaena Ukulele Band, an all school
band which was established through the vision of Mrs. Marie Kamau Todd. Every
student from the 3rd through the 6th grade had a ukulele and performed together.
Although times were tough; the parents provided ukuleles for their children. We
experienced the joy of learning from each other, teaching one another, and performing
together. We had music programs in schools and music festivals as well as the Hawaii
County Band.
Economic hardship was a reality. People worked hard to earn a basic living. We
didn't have much materially. In fact, most people didn't have much, but music was part
of life. Music added value to lives focused on the necessity of putting rice on the table
and doing chores and small jobs that helped contribute to the family income. Music
bonded the community by providing an arena for shared experiences.
We live in a time when Hawaii has undergone a major shift in population, both in
size and diversity. Within this time, we have all experienced on some level, the replacing
of the values of the local culture that have been in place for generations.
Comm. No. n - 7 ( I . C
Ref. To; r, efji
Ref. Dat 22 203
March 22, 2010
Today, people have more THINGS, than ever before. However, we are again
facing a time when economic hardship is a reality. The music and arts which sustained
and enriched us in a previous harsh economic time, is on the chopping block.
Instead of going on record as the council that axed long standing local values and
culture, I urge you to look and see how you can enhance the music program by building it
up and expanding it so that those who do not have long standing island roots can begin to
absorb the Local culture instead of replacing it. I urge you to preserve the legacy of the
Hawaii County Band and be a force that maintains the cohesiveness of our local culture.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Nakasone