About the Pearl City High School Band (Current as of November 14, 2021):
Presented through the auspices of the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Education Mr. Keith Hayashi, Interim Superintendent; the Pearl City High School Music Performing Arts Learning Center, Mr. Joseph Halfmann, Principal; Directors Chadwick Kamei, Christopher Otsuka, and Christopher Lopez, the Pearl City High School Band shines as an exemplary program in the public schools. The school is located on the island of Oahu, the “Gathering Place”, where the city of Honolulu and district of Waikiki are found. Situated on the slopes of the magnificent Ko‘olau range, the school’s campus overlooks historic Pearl Harbor. From this beautiful setting comes one of the most outstanding music programs in the country.
The Pearl City High School “Charger” Marching Band performed at the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together with Halau Hula Olana, the Charger Band brought the “Spirit of Aloha” to the City of Brotherly Love. Prior to this, the band performed at the 2014 McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL and the 25th London’s New Year’s Day Parade on January 1st, 2011. In the summer of 2007 the band performed for an international audience at the Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival. The band helped to kickoff a yearlong celebration for the 2008 Olympic Games. The band also returned to the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California for the 2006 “It’s Magical” celebration; having marched in 1980, 1984, 1996 and the millennium 2000 celebration. The marching band was fortunate enough to participate in the 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to honor the city of New York, its heroes, and its citizens. Previous appearances by the band in this world famous event have been in 1989 and 1993. The Chargers have also performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California (2003), and the Ginza Parade in Tokyo, Japan (1986) as well as the annual Aloha Week Floral Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1997, the band performed the complete half-time show at the Kelly Tires Blue and Gray Christmas Day All-Star Game in Montgomery, Alabama. It has performed half-time shows at University of Hawaii football games since 1976. The band has also participated in the NFL Pro Bowl halftime from 1980 through 2000 and recently returned to perform in the 2011 halftime show. In December 1999, the band presented the halftime show at the first annual Hawaii State Football Championship and in 2002, at the First Hawaiian Football Classic. Performances by the band are noted for excitement, energy and entertainment.
Recognized as one of the premier concert band programs in the nation, the program’s Symphonic Winds performed at the prestigious 2016 Hamamatsu International Band Festival in Hamamatsu, Japan. Performing as the only ensemble from outside of Japan, their diverse program included special guests Eric Miyashiro, Michael Nakasone, and members of Halau Hula Olana. Their most recent appearance at the Hamamatsu Festival was in 2009 where the band received glowing reviews by the judges and directors. A prior performance at the Hamamatsu Festival was in 2001 under the baton of Maestro Michael Nakasone.
In March 2013 the Symphonic Winds participated in a concert with the Symphony Band at Troy University in Troy, Alabama to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. John Long, Emeritus Director of Bands at Troy University. Past performances of this group have included appearances at the Mid-West Instrumental Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (1990), the American School Band Directors Association Convention (1990, 2001), the American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association Convention (1993), and the 1998 Music Educators National Conference Biennial Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent guest soloist and good friend of the band is internationally recognized trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti, and featured local artists have included Noel Okimoto, Tim Tsukiyama, Abraham Lagrimas Jr., Scott Villiger, Michael Zonshine, and Todd Yukumoto.
In 2017, the band was recognized by the National Band Association as a “Program of Excellence” by the National Band Association. The school received the Western Division award for their excellence in both concert and marching band. From the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the band received the Sudler “Flag of Honor” in 1992 and the Legion of Honor Award in 1994 & 2015. The Sudler Award is especially dear to the program, as this international honor is the highest recognition of excellence in concert band performance that can be earned by a high school band in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Under the direction of Mr. Chadwick Kamei, the program has had the opportunity to work with various outstanding conductors and music professionals. They include, Ms. Paula Crider (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Jerry F. Junkin (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Barry Kopetz (Capital University), Dr. Thomas Leslie (UNLV), Dr. Peter L. Boonshaft (Hofstra University), Ms. Margurite Wilder (GIA Publications), Mr. James Swearingen (Capital University), Mr. Ralph Ford (Troy University), Mr. Grant Okamura (University of Hawaii), Mr. Thomas Bingham (University of Hawaii), and Mr. Wataru Hokoyama (Composer).
Presented through the auspices of the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Education Mr. Keith Hayashi, Interim Superintendent; the Pearl City High School Music Performing Arts Learning Center, Mr. Joseph Halfmann, Principal; Directors Chadwick Kamei, Christopher Otsuka, and Christopher Lopez, the Pearl City High School Band shines as an exemplary program in the public schools. The school is located on the island of Oahu, the “Gathering Place”, where the city of Honolulu and district of Waikiki are found. Situated on the slopes of the magnificent Ko‘olau range, the school’s campus overlooks historic Pearl Harbor. From this beautiful setting comes one of the most outstanding music programs in the country.
The Pearl City High School “Charger” Marching Band performed at the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together with Halau Hula Olana, the Charger Band brought the “Spirit of Aloha” to the City of Brotherly Love. Prior to this, the band performed at the 2014 McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL and the 25th London’s New Year’s Day Parade on January 1st, 2011. In the summer of 2007 the band performed for an international audience at the Beijing International Olympic Youth Festival. The band helped to kickoff a yearlong celebration for the 2008 Olympic Games. The band also returned to the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California for the 2006 “It’s Magical” celebration; having marched in 1980, 1984, 1996 and the millennium 2000 celebration. The marching band was fortunate enough to participate in the 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to honor the city of New York, its heroes, and its citizens. Previous appearances by the band in this world famous event have been in 1989 and 1993. The Chargers have also performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California (2003), and the Ginza Parade in Tokyo, Japan (1986) as well as the annual Aloha Week Floral Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1997, the band performed the complete half-time show at the Kelly Tires Blue and Gray Christmas Day All-Star Game in Montgomery, Alabama. It has performed half-time shows at University of Hawaii football games since 1976. The band has also participated in the NFL Pro Bowl halftime from 1980 through 2000 and recently returned to perform in the 2011 halftime show. In December 1999, the band presented the halftime show at the first annual Hawaii State Football Championship and in 2002, at the First Hawaiian Football Classic. Performances by the band are noted for excitement, energy and entertainment.
Recognized as one of the premier concert band programs in the nation, the program’s Symphonic Winds performed at the prestigious 2016 Hamamatsu International Band Festival in Hamamatsu, Japan. Performing as the only ensemble from outside of Japan, their diverse program included special guests Eric Miyashiro, Michael Nakasone, and members of Halau Hula Olana. Their most recent appearance at the Hamamatsu Festival was in 2009 where the band received glowing reviews by the judges and directors. A prior performance at the Hamamatsu Festival was in 2001 under the baton of Maestro Michael Nakasone.
In March 2013 the Symphonic Winds participated in a concert with the Symphony Band at Troy University in Troy, Alabama to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. John Long, Emeritus Director of Bands at Troy University. Past performances of this group have included appearances at the Mid-West Instrumental Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (1990), the American School Band Directors Association Convention (1990, 2001), the American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association Convention (1993), and the 1998 Music Educators National Conference Biennial Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent guest soloist and good friend of the band is internationally recognized trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti, and featured local artists have included Noel Okimoto, Tim Tsukiyama, Abraham Lagrimas Jr., Scott Villiger, Michael Zonshine, and Todd Yukumoto.
In 2017, the band was recognized by the National Band Association as a “Program of Excellence” by the National Band Association. The school received the Western Division award for their excellence in both concert and marching band. From the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the band received the Sudler “Flag of Honor” in 1992 and the Legion of Honor Award in 1994 & 2015. The Sudler Award is especially dear to the program, as this international honor is the highest recognition of excellence in concert band performance that can be earned by a high school band in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Under the direction of Mr. Chadwick Kamei, the program has had the opportunity to work with various outstanding conductors and music professionals. They include, Ms. Paula Crider (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Jerry F. Junkin (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Barry Kopetz (Capital University), Dr. Thomas Leslie (UNLV), Dr. Peter L. Boonshaft (Hofstra University), Ms. Margurite Wilder (GIA Publications), Mr. James Swearingen (Capital University), Mr. Ralph Ford (Troy University), Mr. Grant Okamura (University of Hawaii), Mr. Thomas Bingham (University of Hawaii), and Mr. Wataru Hokoyama (Composer).