It is a holiday season that 80 Lahainaluna High School students will remember for the rest of their lives.

Led by the dedicated effort of the school’s music director, Myron Carlos, as well as the Friends of LHS Music – a program booster group – the consolidated marching band left on Christmas night for a five-day trip to tour the Southern California area and then perform at the 2017 Holiday Bowl football game in San Diego.

Director Carlos, who ten years ago took another Lahainaluna group to the Holiday Bowl, tirelessly organized the recent trip with the assistance of his wife, Jamie; Sensei Jon Shigaki; booster club Chair Debbie Domogma; and the concerted help of all of the parents and families of the marching band members.

Precision planning, intense fundraising and daily band practices came together at Christmas as the 80 teenagers and 15 chaperones boarded their flights to California that would include trips and tours of Universal Studios, a Battle of the Bands Field Show Competition (in which the Lahainaluna Marching Band placed second), shopping at Horton Plaza Mall, a Big Bay Balloon Parade at the Port of San Diego, the Holiday Bowl appearance (Including the special opportunity to see All-American Hercules Mataafa, a Lahlainaluna graduate, play in his final collegiate game for Washington State), a tour of the USS Midway, a trip to Sea World, a Holiday Bowl Dinner and Dance Party and a final hurrah of shopping at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego.

It was an unforgettable experience all around, and music mentor Myron, who has guided the Lahainaluna Music Department for several decades, should be applauded and congratulated for not only organizing this most recent trip but for his guidance of the over 300 students who take part in the various avenues of this art department at the school.

Throughout the year, he directs and teaches the different facets of music to the eager teenagers in his charge, then leads them in performances of concerts in the winter and spring, community events and at Luna athletic contests.

Think about that for a moment – one mentor for some 300 students, bringing them together for the pleasure and excitement of music, community, family and friends.

Mahalo, Mr. Carlos, for your continuing effort to build the integrity and tradition of our beloved Lahainaluna High School by nurturing the talents of our youth. Imua! (By Walter Chihara)