The Hamilton band is the only Ohio high school to be invited to the parade this year.
The band will march in the Waikiki Holiday Parade, which this year will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the pivotal attack on the navy base that launched America into World War II.
In Butler County, only Lakota East and Lakota West’s marching bands have previously performed in the annual Hawaiian event.
This week, under a withering, mid-day sun, the 135-member band sweated through its usual pre-football season practices on the school campus grounds. But the thought of visiting the tropical state and enjoying its cool Pacific beach fronts helped band members endure.
“Hamilton goes to Hawaii,” said a smiling Paul Dixon, director of Hamilton’s marching band. “This is by far the longest trip the band has taken. We’re really excited about being part of the 75th anniversary (commemoration).”
During a break in the band’s long practice day, Dixon explained “we decided to do the trip to Hawaii to give the kids an opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I was in awe … last year when I went there for a preview trip.”
The students will get “a chance to see where history was and to be part of celebrating history,” he said.
Each year the Waikiki Holiday Parade is held on the Friday after Thanksgiving in Honolulu, Hawaii, honoring Pearl Harbor survivors and the United States military. Thousands of spectators, residents and visitors gather to watch the parade, which hosts marching bands, Pearl Harbor survivors, service bands, military units, local officials, dignitaries and entertainers.
Stacy Jost, spokeswoman for the Waikiki Parade, said “we are thrilled to be working with Paul Dixon and the Hamilton band on their trip. The students’ experiences at Pearl Harbor and meeting survivors will be something they will remember for a lifetime. We are honored to help create this memory.”
Seventy members of the Hamilton band will make the trip, which costs about $3,000 for each student's family. Private fund raising and donations are being solicited to help fund the trip.
Senior band member Tony Natiello said besides the thrill of traveling to the Hawaiian island, he is also looking to learn more about the history of the state and of Pearl Harbor.
“I’m a huge history buff so I love the Polynesian culture and learning about Pearl Harbor, so I’m excited about that,” the saxophone player said.
Band mate Daniel Sutton, a sophomore, said he is looking forward to his first flight in a jet and traveling outside the continental United States.
“I’m very excited about going to Hawaii. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us, including myself. I’m really happy to get the chance to go,” he said.
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