Aloha from the Chairman of the Friends of Waialua Bandstand in the Park. The winter is just about gone, not that we ever have severe weather compared to other locations. But it was touch and go with our March concert with the Bluegrass Barnstormers. There had been a lot of rain and cool winds the several days prior to the scheduled date and the day dawned with overcast skies that didn’t bode well. However, we marched on and finished the concert with not more than a few light sprinkles. Of course it rained a lot more later. The only unfortunate aspect was that many of our faithful local attendees opted not to take the chance. Fortunately the Barnstormers have a dedicated following so there was a respectable audience that stayed to the end. Mahalo to all you who did so.  

For those of you who haven’t gotten a renewal notice but think you should have, we are revamping the system of sending out notices. Our stalwart group, Linda Nakasono, her daughter, Alli, and Diana Bonsignore have sent out the first month’s group and will be continuing on a monthly basis as the year progresses. Eventually we will catch up to everyone. We depend on the individual contributions as much as we do on the corporate donations so please respond when you get your renewal notice. Mahalo.
We are on target with our corporate donations again this year, a great big mahalo to each and every one of you who contribute to the organization every year.

Over the past couple of years we have had to say goodbye to a few of our longtime members of the Board of Directors. And this year we will lose another when Jim and Marge Russell say goodbye to the Islands and move to the Mainland. We wish them the best and will miss them.

We are still working on finding school music programs that can use some assistance but the only lead we have had so far, the after-school program at Waialua Elementary School, is still seeking ukulele instructors. We are going ahead with support for the Hawaii Opera Theater road show of “Aida” at the school in April and hope it will set a precedent that is picked up by other schools in the area.

The next big event in Waialua (other than our concerts of course) is the Fifth iteration of the Taste of Waialua on April 7, 2012 at the old Sugar Mill. Organized by one of our supporters, Bill Martin, of Island X Hawaii, we will have a tent there to provide information to all. I suggest you come on out if in the area for the Farmers’ Market and the all the food, wares, and information that will be dispensed at the affair.

And don’t forget to come out on the first Sunday of each month for more great musical performances.

John Cutting, Chairman
Friends of Waialua Bandstand in the Park