The crowd hushed moments before Tsunami Taiko drummers raised their bachi sticks to begin a thundering performance Friday night during the Waimea High School Alumni and Friends Foundation Carnival. With precision and mighty confidence, the group began after a loud vocal call was made from one of its drummers.
Dressed in yellow hachi maki (headband) and indigo blue hapi coats, the group of youth performers ranged in age from 6-19 years old. A spirited, high energy dance took place between drummers and drums. This group of young people truly fascinated its audience.
Tsunami Taiko is a youth run group with parent advisors who serve as facilitators during both practice and performances.
Joanne Parongao, in her 30th year teaching English at Waimea High School, is the primary parent advisor of the group. “I blossomed into the role after being parent of a drummer,” said Parongao. Parongao also said the group is supported by a great group of parents.
Parongao’s sons Jaron and Jordan play with Tsunami Taiko. Jordan, a 2010 graduate of Waimea High, now serves as one of the primary teachers along with Aiko Kajiwara, a 2009 graduate of Waimea High.
Kajiwara was impressed by a taiko performance she saw as a student at Kekaha Elementary School. It was then that Kajiwara told herself she wanted to do taiko. She was 12 years old when she started playing with Tsunami Taiko.
“I was eager to learn and made every practice. It makes me happy inside to see the group. They love it just like I do,” said Kajiwara.
Originally, Tsunami Taiko was led by the Reverend Ikeda, a visiting minister from Hilo, who served several west side Hongwangji. “Tsunami Taiko began after three ministers, including Ikeda, brainstormed ways they could help keep youth busy and out of trouble. It was decided that a non-denominational taiko group would serve this purpose. Ikeda took on the responsibility to teach taiko,”said Parongao.
Eventually, Ikeda returned home to Hilo. Left without a formal teacher, the more experienced students of Tsunami Taiko, its high schoolers, took on the responsibility of keeping the group alive. Students turned into teachers and continue to perpetuate the art of taiko today.
About five years ago Parongao took a small group of students to Japan in order to learn the right skills and new numbers for taiko. One of the group’s favorite numbers was learned during this trip to Japan. It involves imitating the jumping of salmon swimming upstream.
Sean Dela Cruz, an 8th grader at Waimea Canyon Middle School, enjoys learning new songs and the history of the drums. “I used to be offbeat. Taking band has helped a lot with my taiko experience. It’s similar to doing the beat in taiko, He (music teacher David Braun) helps me with keeping the beat,” said Dela Cruz.
Eighth grader Sera Shimomura, who enjoys a good beat, started Tsunami Taiko through the encouragement of friends in the group. “It’s fun to be around the high energy. We also need to be serious. He (teacher Jordan Parongao) enforces strict rules such as staying focused, concentrating, and no goofing around. Drums are sacred. We learn not to damage the drums,” said Shimomura.
The group practices at Hanapepe’s Zen Soto Temple, through its generous offering. In exchange for use of its space, Tsuanami Taiko assists the temple with its bon dance, makes donations, and assists with other fundraisers when possible.
Tsunami Taiko performs regularly at the Grand Hyatt’s Prince Kuihio Day Celebration, Koloa Plantation Days, as well as several obon festivals and other venues around the island.
To learn more or to have Tsunami Taiko perform at your specialevent, please contact Joanne Parongao at 651-5032 or e-mailjparongao@hawaii.rr.com
