Royal Hawaiian Band

Sunday morning we walked over to Kapiolani Park to see the Royal Hawaiian Band perform.

The band was formed in 1836 by King Kamehameha III and is the longest serving community band in the United States and they perform at 300 concerts, parades, etc. each year. The band consists of about 40 musicians and singers.

They opened the show with conch players and a traditional Hawaiian anthem. However, today’s performance was part of the Vietnamese New Year Celebration that is going on throughout Waikiki. This included an all day celebration in Kapiolani Park with food vendors, kids activities and entertainment.

Today’s band performance included a number of traditional Hawaiian songs, some newer age popular Hawaiian tourist type songs and then some Vietnamese traditional military songs or anthems. In fact the band claimed they were the only band in the United States who practiced and performed Vietnamese music.

As part of the show number of gentlemen from the audience came on stage to sing. Well let’s just say they would have trouble “carrying a tune in a paper bag”. In fact the Vietnamese Master of Ceremonies admitted that they had not practiced with the band prior to today; but they gave it their best and they tried. Definitely proud Vietnamese people.

The celebration also included a Lion Dance. Vietnamese custom and tradition is to give the Lion a gift and in return it will bring you good luck for the next year. The gift was a $1 from every person that was watching and I think the good luck today went to the Lion 😉