Author Archives: IolaniYamashiro

Aloha All,

History is in the making on the island of Maui.  Many firsts are/have happened or will soon.  God has been doing a mighty work and continues to do so!

1)   The Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus will graduate their first class on May 27, 2006.

2)  Maui has it’s first Honolulu Symphony Scholarship winner.  Cellist Risa Yarborough, Jr. at Kamehameha Schools Maui and student of Lifen Anthony (member of the Honolulu Symphony) won a scholarship for private study. 

3)  The Maui Youth Philharmonic was formed this past year.  There has never been a Youth Orchestra outside of Honolulu in the State of Hawaii.  There were 48 students from 12 schools on Maui that made up this orchestra. Their Inaugural performance took place on April 26, 2006.

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Gas prices on Maui have risen to $3.76 when I left on Wednesday.  Thankfully, my job, home, church, dr., bank, etc. is within 10 minutes of each other.  However, going to play a gig can take up to an hour and 20 minutes or so of driving one way!  Going to Kahului can take 20-25 minutes, of course it depends on how fast I drive! 

O’ahu on the other hand still has gas prices at $3.26 or so, I think, maybe a little higher today.  BUT, the TRAFFIC is horrendous! It can take 30 minutes to get out of Ewa Beach on Fort Weaver Road…just to get to the freeway!   Thankfully, my brother showed me the short cut.

Which would you choose?

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The end of the school year is right around the corner. Students are tired, restless and ready for the summer…so am I.  However, there is so much to do.  My summer won’t begin until after July 1!  

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Quick bit of news.  The gas prices here on Maui are now $3.66 for regular unleaded gasoline.  It’s a good thing that I live about 5-10 minutes from work, church, the bank, post office, grocery store, etc. Continue reading →

Michiko asked me to write a little about Maui so….

Although the land mass of the island of Maui is larger than O’ahu, there are only approximately 110,000 people who live here.  Most of the local residents are either related to each other or know each other.  I can rarely go anywhere without running into familiar people.  In the 4 years that I’ve lived here, there are already so many changes.  There are many new housing developments.  Most average homes cost approximately $600,000…basic 3 Bdr, 2 bath.  Gas prices are $3.52 for regular unleaded.   A few other interesting facts are:  Wal-Mart closes at 11:00 p.m.  and Kinko’s closes at 10 p.m. on weekdays, 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays. Can you imagine that?  Still, it is a beautiful island and not nearly as congested as O’ahu!  Many people are bypassing O’ahu and spending time on Maui instead…especially with the current condition of the beaches. 

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In Honolulu today for the Honolulu Symphony Concert tonight.  Concertmaster Iggy Jang will perform Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and we will also play Beethoven Symphony No. 7.  Samuel Wong will be conducting again.  We are having many guest conductors this year to try to find a replacement for Samuel Wong. 

If you are in Honolulu, please consider attending the concert tonight at 8 p.m. or on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.  It will be at the Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall on King Street.

Concert at Hale Makua on  Maui yesterday went well.  The residents there and staff enjoyed it!  Some of the students spent a great deal of time listening to a woman who (according to a staff member) "rarely speaks…usually just sits there."  This was a blessing to everyone.  We took the students to lunch at McDonald’s after and they had a great time hanging out with each other outside of class.  It was a nice time of "bonding" for them.

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Time is moving at such a rapid pace!  We just finished a rehearsal with string students from the Kamehameha Maui Elementary and Middle School.  We’re preparing for a concert on Thursday, April 19, 2006 at Hale Makua in Wailuku. Hale Makua is a home for the elderly who need care.  This is a good opportunity for us to reach out into the community using the gifts and talents we are developing, even at the beginning levels.  The students here are sweet…tons of energy, but kind-hearted. 

I feel as though I’m dog-paddling and/or sinking, trying to juggle too many balls at once. Meeting with the Maui Youth Philharmonic Conductors tonight and then jumping on a plane tomorrow a.m. to rehearse with the Honolulu Symphony! 

I’m in need of God’s grace and mercy to get me through all of this!  Please keep me in your prayers as I need God’s wisdom in making many decisions for the direction of many programs!!  HELP!

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God is doing many amazing things here on Maui with young musicians.  We started the first Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra in October 2005.  This is history for Maui and the state of Hawaii as there has never been a Youth Orchestra beyond Honolulu.  Our first concert will be on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at Baldwin High School Auditorium. 

Also, The Kamehameha Schools Maui Orchestra (the only strings program in the County of Maui) was accepted to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York…June 2, 2007.  This is a wonderful blessing for us, truly a gift from God. The students and parents are excited so we will have a busy year ahead.

Personally, I’m busy, busy, busy.  I’m still trying my best to commute to perform with the Honolulu Symphony.  We just did a concert with violinist Chee Yun yesterday.  I love her sound.  More concerts coming up this week and next. 

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