The Lahainaluna High School Band performs at a recent LHS football game.

LAHAINA – We are so excited – counting the days until our Lahainaluna High School Marching Band, Majorettes and Color Guards are off to San Diego to participate in the 40th annual Holiday Bowl Parade.

The Lahainaluna Music Department has grown within the past couple of years, and the students work tirelessly so that they would be able to participate in activities such as this one.

The students have devoted themselves to become better musicians and to be able to represent not only Lahaina but also the State of Hawaii with utmost precision in stance and melodious rhythm.

As the mantra in the Samuel Mo’okini Band Room states, “One Band, One Sound.” That is what the Lahainaluna Band members have become.

They have spent hours upon hours rehearsing in the past few months preparing for this event.

They leave for San Diego on Christmas Day to participate in the parade that will be held and televised on Dec. 28 on the USA Network.

They will have a tightly packed schedule of walking 5K on the parade route followed by a Battle of the Bands (the winner will be a part of the pre-game show).

After the parade is over, they will head to Qualcomm Stadium to participate in the halftime show of the Holiday Bowl game. The band will also be participating in a field show competition against other marching bands from around the country.

The students and their families have worked blood, sweat and tears to help send them to San Diego. The community has been the greatest with support.

Students have done fundraisers after fundraisers, and they are still doing more. To make a monetary donation, visit squareup.com/store/friends-of-lhs-music (and please note that it goes toward the Holiday Bowl).

The Holiday Bowl was established in 1978, and the parade is known as the largest balloon parade in America.