A Journal of Our Trip to Hawaii

The Band of Blue in Hawaii

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June 8 - June 16, 2004

J-Hawk Journal

May 4 - June 11, 2004

This portion of the J-Hawk Journal covers the days from May 4 to June 11. June 12 to the end of the trip are on the main J-Hawk Journal page.
New! Marie plays the drums at the Polynesian Cultural Center!

Click on an area of the map to see the Band of Blue's experiences there. The map links to both journal pages automatically.

This was the first day we could sleep in, so many of us took advantage of the time -- and went to the beach across the street. But the rest of the day was spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center -- or going to and from it.

	This beach is right across the street from our hotel (out of the picture). Everywhere you go you see people carrying surf boards and beach gear.
These cool dudes are ready for a good day. We're wearing our "Aloha shirts" to the Polynesian Cultural Center because we'll perform there at 5 p.m. We left Waikiki at 11:45 for the northeast side of the island. Watch this movie -- the first in our "Hi, Mom & Dad" series -- but not the last!
	To get to our destination we had to travel across the island, going through the mountains via two tunnels and some steep roadways. When we reached the other side of the island we drove along the shore most of the time. Hawaii is a beautiful place!
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a non-profit educational facility run by the Mormon Church in Hawaii. Most of its employees are students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii and come from all over the South Pacific. It consists of seven "villages," Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Hawaii. There are village buildings and demonstrations, all in a beautiful tropical setting connected by waterways.
	These J-Hawks enjoy a ride on the village waterway. There are waterfalls and streams throughout the area.
Lunch was on our own. These diners enjoyed nachos, cheese fries, and hot dogs -- proving that Hawaii is definitely part of the United States.
Marie decided to learn to play the drums.
	At 2:00 p.m. all visitors move to the waterways for the Canoe Pageant. Each of the seven islands is represented by a true "float" bearing performers in their native costume. Each canoe then gently circles the lagoon while its passengers perform a dance to live music. After the pageant many of us enjoyed the IMAX theatre presentation of "The Living Seas." This was a flat IMAX screen, five stories high -- not a domed screen like the one in Cedar Rapids. The cool, dark theatre was an excellent place to take a nap!
At 5:00 p.m. it was the Band of Blue's turn to provide the entertainment. We marched into the main entry area and did our standing concert under the direction of Mr. Driskell.
	We look pretty good in our matching shirts, don't we? Watch us play our Mangione number.
We have almost 200 followers to cheer us on now. In addition to the many who came on the flights with us, others flew on their own and met us in Honolulu. Their support has been great! Following our concert we attended a buffet dinner at a restaurant in the Center. The fresh pineapple is unbelievable!
	After dinner we went into the "Treasures of Polynesia" shopping plaza. It seems to us that these treasures look a lot like the treasures they sell everywhere in Waikiki. We also had a chance to pose for pictures while decked out in Polynesian finery. "We feel pretty, oh, so pretty!"
Adam Houk shows his dad some good playing technique on the conch shell.
	At this point we're waiting to enter an open-air theatre for the performance of "Horizons." There we saw a cast of over 100 dancers, singers, and musicians in beautiful costumes. Enjoy a sample of it yourself: Here's today's slide show with many photos of happy J-Hawks.

Dear Parents, Families and Friends of the Band of Blue,

Today was a day to be proud of these fine young people. After getting up at 5:00 a.m. they waited patiently in long lines at Pearl Harbor and still gave a disciplined performance. The chaperones and followers were all very moved by the attitude of the kids and the meaningful setting.

Here are some pictures and video of our visit to Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.

We started loading the buses at 7:30 a.m. We were to take instruments and uniforms for the performance, but nothing else. Security at the memorial is very tight since September 11. Not even a "fanny pack" could be brought in.
	Meanwhile, the chaperones loaded the larger instruments into the truck for the trip. By the way, Honolulu streets and freeways are very busy all of the time.
The line at the museum and memorial entrance was absurd! Fortunately the kids got there before the followers, so their wait wasn't so bad. Still, there was plenty of time to visit the gift shop and the snack bar.
	The displays were very interesting and informative. They explained the attack of December 7, 1941, as well as the origins and current use of the Pearl Harbor naval facilities.
We were admitted in groups to a film about the attack, then boarded launches to go to the memorial.
	It was a moving and meaningful experience to be so close to a piece of history. Oil still bubbles to the surface of the water, leaving a rainbow trail in the waves. It's possible to see the ship under the water, and buoys mark the bow and stern.
The Band of Blue presented this wreath at the memorial to honor the 1,133 men who lost their lives in the attack.
	We had a sack lunch after the tour, then got into our uniforms for our first performance. Mr. Driskell leads the warm-up.
We marched into the U.S.S. Bowfin Park for our standing performance. The Bowfin is a WWII submarine, now permanently moored as a museum and a memorial to all submarine crews who perished during the war. You can see the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial from the park. Watch our performance of The Star Spangled Banner.
	Families and followers couldn't resist expressing their pride in very special ways after the performance. Mrs. Lynn Jensen, Jefferson drama director, on her first trip with the Band of Blue, was moved to say, "Now I understand why teachers are so willing to chaperone for the band trips."
We then reloaded the buses for a drive over to the U.S.S. Missouri where we had a group photo taken. After we changed out of our uniforms we were able to tour the ship, the site of the Japanese signing of the surrender papers to end the Second World War.
	Our supper took place at Planet Hollywood in the heart of Waikiki. We had the second floor to ourselves.
Good food and good friends -- what could be better than that?
	After dinner we climbed aboard a boat for a dance cruise around the harbor. Enjoy the slide show of us at the dance. Click on the camera for a slide show of lots more pictures of today's activities.

The day we've been waiting for! Things have gone very well. Many airline employees as well as other passengers were highly complimentary of the kids and their excellent behavior.

Apple QuickTime Player is required to view movies and slide shows. Download it free of charge.

Groups started arriving at Jefferson at 11 p.m. Mr. Manson and Mr. Atkinson are excited about a midnight ride to Chicago.
	After checking in baggage, everyone reported to the auditorium for last-minute announcements. The shirts are standard apparel for the trip -- good for seeing where everyone is.
A four-hour ride to Chicago seems short compared to a 22 hour ride to Orlando. Still, it's chance to get some sleep. It's a long day that awaits us.
	The Pink group flew through Salt Lake City to get to Hawaii. Their layover afforded a chance to visit the airport Burger King.
Our arrival in Honolulu was marked with a traditional lei greeting from the tour hosts. The leis were made of orchids, carnations, and tuber roses -- and smelled wonderful. We then took buses downtown to our hotels where our luggage was delivered to our rooms.
	Our first activity as a group was our welcome party in the park. A Hawaiian band entertained while we ate dinner.
Our first group meal in Hawaii was -- pizza!
	The high point of the evening was hula lessons. Keep in mind that we've been up for many hours -- the time in Hawaii is 7 p.m., but that's midnight back home in Cedar Rapids. To watch a movie of the hula class, click on the movie camera below.
Our Roving Reporter talked to Matt, Andrew, Travis, and Jordan to tell about their flight. Click on the movie button below to hear their answer.
	Nicole, Danielle, Stacia, and Sara got to answer the same question. Listen to their answer. For a slide show of the day's activities, click below.

"How many coconuts can I bring home in my suitcase?" We won't know the answer to that one for a few days.

Check out our last minute preparations in this slide show. Click on the movie button to see photos of our last day of practice before we leave.

Apple QuickTime Player is required to view movies and slide shows. Download it free of charge.

Rehearsals and meetings continue as departure time nears. Our roving reporter asked some Band of Blue members what they were feeling as Hawaii gets closer. For example, "What are you looking forward to most?" To hear the answer, click on the movie button below.
	Two banner carriers share their thoughts on what they look forward to -- like getting a nice tan!
Adam Robertson, Band of Blue alumnus and current instructor, shares his perspective on the trip -- and a good piece of advice for new marchers. Remember: click on the camera to see a movie of Adam.
The band poses for a portrait before stowing the uniforms for the trip. For a slide show of Monday's activities, click on the movie button.

	"School's out for summer!" The sound of the classroom has been replaced with the sound of marching feet -- "Point your toes!" -- as the Band of Blue's preparations for the Pan Pacific Festival switch into high gear. Adam Robertson, far right, drills marchers on their technique. Adam is a Jefferson alum and recent member of the cast of "Blast!" in its national tour.
The upperclassmen set the example of how a prize-winning band is supposed to look. This year's parade is more low-key than parades like the Tournament of Roses. There were some very sore feet after that one. This year's parade ends right in front of our hotel and is followed by a party and banquet!
	Meanwhile, in the quiet of the Band Room, Mr. Houk and Mrs. Laura Wheeler, the official Band of Blue Nurse for the trip, review bus lists to find any missing health forms. Safety and health concerns are vital on a trip like this. As a vital reminder, everyone should wear sun screen with a rating of at least 45.
We were expecting some accidents on the trip, but Zach Sherman gets the prize for earliest injury -- no, not while marching, but playing basketball. We'll miss his trumpet in the Pan Pacific Parade, but he'll still play in the standing performances at Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Today's final exams are over, and it's time to start marching practice. In just a week we'll be in Hawaii!

Mr. Driskell assigns upperclassmen to the outer rows of the band to provide leadership for young marchers. "Trumpets! I want all the senior trumpets!"

Meanwhile, out in the hall the other sections wait to be called. It's a remarkably calm group. Everyone is very patient and keeps the noise to a minimum.

The video monitor (behind the camera) reminds travelers of missing forms.

"Clarinets! All clarinets report to the Band Room now!"

It doesn't take long to get everyone assigned to a row. Over 300 Band of Blue musicians will perform next week at Pearl Harbor -- more than appeared in the Rose Bowl Parade.

It takes a lot of planning to take a group this size to Chicago, let alone to Hawaii! A supreme team effort by directors, students, and parents has made the preparation a lot easier on everyone!

If commencement comes, can summer be far behind? In a clear indication that the Hawaii trip is getting closer every day, Mr. Houk and Mr. Driskell supervise loading the truck for the trip to the U.S. Cellular Center for Jefferson's commencement.

The night of the Band Parents Meeting has come at last! Mr. Houk shares the itinerary, as well as the all-important rules and regulations with students, parents, chaperones, and followers.

Remember! All medical forms and trip contracts are due by May 24.

How much spending money to take? An expensive camera or a "cheap" one? Will the suitcase weigh less than 50 pounds? These are the questions that parents and band members need to discuss in the coming days.

What should be in every suitcase? Sunscreen and a hat!

Following the Band Parents Meeting, Mr. Houk addresses the chaperones for the trip. Safety is the utmost concern. In order to provide a safe sleep, the Band has hired security guards at the hotel.

A parent asked how many chaperones there were in relation to students. Mr. Houk's reassuring answer: "The ratio of adults to students is 2 to 3."