WASHINGTON » Two Hawaii school bands — from Kamehameha and Punahou — marched in the presidential inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday in a historic display that gave hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the world a little taste of the sights and sounds of President Barack Obama’s birthplace.
Hawaii is the only state that was represented with two bands in the inaugural parade, an honor that wasn’t lost on leaders at the schools.
"808 was well represented here in Washington," said Alika Young, Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama assistant band director, laughing. "It was just a wonderful experience, and we’re just so happy that we shared this experience with Punahou."
Before the parade began, Punahou President James Scott said the two schools are often seen as "friendly rivals" but were "about to inherit a common destiny" with their participation in the historic event.
The parade followed Obama’s ceremonial swearing-in and inaugural luncheon. Attendees at the swearing-in raced toward entrances for the parade, and security lines quickly backed up.
The event began at about 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, about an hour late.
But most people — including more than a few Hawaii folks — decided to stick it out, passing the time along the parade route by singing along to songs blaring on loudspeakers or playing the "wave game" with crowds on either side of Pennsylvania Avenue.
As is tradition, Obama rode in a motorcade along the parade route. Before reaching his viewing stand, he and the first lady got out and walked, greeting attendees along the way.
Once the Obamas were in the stands, state bands began to march by. Punahou School, Obama’s alma mater, was the first in the sequence. Kamehameha Schools was placed a few slots later.
When Obama spotted Hawaii’s bands on the parade route, he stood, his eyes lit up and he and the first lady produced jubilant shakas.
That was enough to leave students from both schools just about floored.
After the performance Monday, Punahou students headed to a burger restaurant to unwind — and process.
"It was such a great experience to be there and represent our school, our state and to be there to represent the president," said Christopher Mooney, an 18-year-old drum major in the Punahou band. "I’m pretty sure the icing on the cake was seeing President Obama."
Marissa Yuen, 18, a Punahou cheerleader, said though it was chilly, she didn’t feel the cold.
"We were just so excited," she said, adding that this experience is one to tell her grandkids.
"It’s so historic," she said. "How many people have a chance to have this opportunity?"
It’s not as if the two bands haven’t been in big venues before.
Both have performed all over the mainland and even overseas.
Punahou performed at the 2009 inaugural parade.
Kamehameha, meanwhile, can count three inaugural parades under its belt, including Monday’s. The school also participated in the 1961 parade for John F. Kennedy and the 1993 parade for Bill Clinton.
But performing for a president from the islands along with another Hawaii school is something different, said Kamehameha interim band director John Riggle.
Riggle said he was bowled over by Obama’s reaction to the Hawaii bands.
"He stood up immediately and saluted," Riggle said. "The kids saw it and they were walking on air. It’s just a magic moment."
Obama also famously gave a shaka to Punahou in 2009, when it marched in his first inaugural parade.
Kamehameha senior and band trumpet section leader Katoa Ahau said Obama’s attention to the Hawaii bands Monday was so personal, "it felt like he was looking at me."
Ahau, 17, added, "Just passing him was an overwhelming feeling."
Junior Kayla Kawaakoa, 17, who performed hula for Kamehameha in the parade, agreed.
She said seeing the president in the flesh was not what she was expecting.
"It felt like it was a really personal experience," she said. "And I feel like I have the responsibility to go and tell people that I represented my school, because not everybody was able to be in an event like that."
