During the recent Kaua‘i ‘Opio Keiki Orchestra winter concert, KOKO President Sarah Tochiki was pleasantly surprised to receive a $5,000 check from Terri Gately, first vice president of The Mokihana Club, to support the program.
During the recent Kaua‘i ‘Opio Keiki Orchestra winter concert, KOKO President Sarah Tochiki was pleasantly surprised to receive a $5,000 check from Terri Gately, first vice president of The Mokihana Club, to support the program.
The program offers free orchestral string lessons to students, and provides an opportunity for students to learn to play orchestral strings while building lifelong skills in reading, team building, self-confidence and musicianship.
“We have about 70 students ranging from age 3 in the program,” Megan Lawson, a KOKO instructor, said during the guest performance by an ensemble at the East Kaua‘i Lions Club Christmas party.
“We equip these youngsters with string instruments, and it costs a lot to keep supplying the musicians with instruments that keep up with their growth.”
Started in 2018 at the Boys &Girls Club Lihu‘e Clubhouse, KOKO has grown to where it is looking to expand the violin class to other clubhouses and being able to get instruments into preschools.
The Mokihana Club has been a supporter of KOKO since the program’s start.
The club also awards music scholarships annually for qualifying high school students looking to pursue music beyond their high school careers.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
