LIHU‘E — When he realized graduation was fast approaching for Kaua‘i students, Kaua‘i composer Art Umezu had an idea.
Gradution during a pandemic is a unique time in itself. But he didn’t want any of the island’s graduates to feel they’d been forgotten or left behind in light of the global COVID-19 crisis.
He wanted to do something to honor the grads, to mark the occasion. After reading an article by The Garden Island reporter Stephanie Shinno in the April 19 edition (“Senior disappointments,” Local page, A4, about the state Department of Education grappling with graduation and the frustration being felt by some members of the Class of 2020 not being able to participate in traditional graduation ceremonies), Umezu knew exactly what to do. He sat down and wrote a song dedicated to the Class of 2020: The Zoom Generation, entitled “Lei Aloha Mele for Class of 2020.”
Then, he got the graduates involved.
Four high school seniors from Kaua‘i met for the first time on May 16 to record “Class of 2020,” a song dedicated to Hawai‘i’s graduating Class of 2020: Moriah Shafter, Island School; Steven Armstrong, Kapa‘a High; Kayllah Salud, Kaua‘i High; and Eilon Nueva, Waimea High.
They were challenged to bring their creative ideas and energy to record the song in three hours. Recorded at a makeshift home studio in Wailua, The Zoom Room was fully sanitized. The students wore masks and practiced social distancing. The sound booth was disinfected after each singer separately recorded their parts.
Kirby Keough laid down the guitar track, with recording engineer Berto Genovia playing the bass and Juno Ann Apalla on the cajon beat box.
Artist Edilyn Marquez, a junior at Kaua‘i High, created the Lei Aloha Mele flyer.
Umezu said the song is recorded and has already played at some local radio stations.
He asks the public to request “Lei Aloha Mele for Class of 2020” to be played over the radio in honor of the 2020 grads.
“Lei Aloha Mele for Class of 2020”
We’re the Class of 2020, we’ve been up-against the wall
No more school, no more proms and no graduation
We’re the Class of 2020, facing harsh reality
No more flowers, hugs and kisses with friends and family, ya
We’re the Class of 2020, we’re standing proud and tall
Nothing’s gonna bring us down, nothing’s gonna stop us now
We’re the Class of 2020, nothing’s gonna keep us apart
We’re stronger together, always and forever, ya
We’ll rise above the darkest clouds, we are the hope for the future
We are the Class of 2020, we are ready for the new world
We’re the Class of 2020, we’re up and ready-to-go
‘Neath the sun and rain, with hopes and dreams. we’re moving on
We’re the Class of 2020, leaders of tomorrow
We’re young, we’re fearless, no matter what the consequence, ya
We’re the Class of 2020, we’re standing proud and tall
Nothing’s gonna bring us down, nothing’s gonna stop us now
We’re the Class of 2020, nothing’s gonna keep us apart
We’re stronger together, always and forever, ya
We’ll-rise above the darkest clouds, we are the hope for the future
We are the Class of 2020, we are ready for the new world
We are the Class of 2020
