‘Iolani Marching Band

Its five-day/four-night band camp is held on the Big Island every summer in preparation for its first field show at the Father Bray Classic every year, and is often the first band on the island to perform its half-time show each season.

Our marching band has had a long history, and past credits include the Gator Bowl half-time show and parade in Florida, and the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA.  Internationally, they have represented Hawai’i and the United States in the annual Chingay Procession in Singapore.  Locally, the band has hosted visiting bands from Japan and the UK in recent years.   The ‘Iolani Marching Band is under the direction of band alum Manny Dayao ’97, who received his Bachelor’s degree in music education from the Conservatory at the University of the Pacific, and his Master’s degree in performance from the Boston Conservatory.  Former directors include Richard Hotoke, Fred Li, and Wayne DeMello.

The band is honored to have performing with them, the proud members of the ‘Iolani Dance Team, which has won numerous first place awards and 1 grand champion award at Sharp Regionals.  In addition, the dance team has also won many awards at the Spotlight dance competition, including in choreography.  The dance team ranges in age from 5 to 18, and is headed by dance teachers Cyrenne Okimura, Vickie Sakamaki, and Keri Abe.

In addition, several band students eager to support our athletic teams have also organized a fully student-run pep band to cover basketball, volleyball, and water polo events.

This year’s band fields 77 winds, 15 percussion, nine color guard, and features the 93 member ‘Iolani Dance Team.  The band is being led this year by Drum Majors Markus Osterlund-Koga, and Liz Nomura.