Letters for Thursday — January 13, 2005

• Kudos for Kilakila

Kudos for Kilakila

After months and months of planning and hard work, the Kaua‘i All-Island Ku Kilakila Marching Band delivered a great performance at the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena and I’m confident made the island of Kaua‘i very proud!

In spite of the rain storms in Southern California during the days preceding the Rose Parade limiting the opportunities for local practice, the band members and staff enchanted the one million parade spectators along the route and I’m sure the 400 million television viewers were likewise fascinated by the unique costuming and music of this most special parade entry.

On behalf of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Kaua‘i All Island Marching Band, I want to thank The Garden Island for your ongoing news coverage of the band from the earliest days of organizing the overwhelming efforts of creating a composite band from among the island’s high and middle schools, through their fund-raising, marching rehearsals, our President’s visit, and their trip to the Rose Parade. We also want to especially thank Dennis Fujimoto for his coverage in his columns. There is no doubt that your coverage ensured that the band met its fund-raising goals and that the people of Kaua‘i became interested in the band’s progress over their months of practice sessions.

The one remark that I heard many times is that the organization of this composite band cut across the traditional sports rivalries that have long existed among island schools. This bringing together the best musicians into a combined group with one purpose — to bring Kaua‘i’s best ambassadors to one of our nation’s foremost New Year’s celebrations — certainly represented ALL the citizens of Kaua‘i with distinction and pride.

Mahalo for your support!

Bob Hutto

Pasadena Tournament of Roses