Ku Kilakila, Kaua‘i’s All-Island Marching Band, made history at the 116th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Ca. on New Year’s Day. The 300-member-strong band became the first band from Kaua‘i to participate in the nationally-broadcast parade; the marching band
Ku Kilakila, Kaua‘i’s All-Island Marching Band, made history at the 116th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Ca. on New Year’s Day. The 300-member-strong band became the first band from Kaua‘i to participate in the nationally-broadcast parade; the marching band was created especially for the event and included members from nearly every public and private high and middle school on the island.
Ku Kilakila featured band members, hula and Tahitian dancers, JROTC members trained to perform as Hawaiian warriors and a fire knife dancer.
Leading the group was band director Larry McIntosh, who is now in his fortieth year as director of the band program at Kaua‘i High School,
Ku Kilakila’s dynamic and unique performance of Hawaiian music, especially arranged for the band, was a crowd favorite.
The band was given a special distinction by Los Angeles TV station KTLA for its perfect execution of the tortuous 105 degree turn from Orange Grove Ave. to Colorado Blvd. – with an aerial shot from the Goodyear Blimp to prove it.
Ku Kilakila bandmembers were scheduled to return to O‘ahu and Kaua‘i yesterday. The marching band is scheduled to perform one last time, at the Kauaian Days parade set for Saturday, January 15.
