LESSONS TO LAST A LIFETIME
Throughout the last 60 years, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony has impacted the lives of thousands of keiki across the state. Some join our programs as young elementary students, while others join in high school. Regardless of age, HYS imparts lessons that last a lifetime. From the importance of punctuality and practice, to performing with confidence, HYS students are challenged and encouraged to reach their fullest potential in all aspects of life.
As we close out the 2024-2025 season, we reflect on all the hours of work that our students have put into honing their craft and bettering themselves, balancing school, music and other extracurricular activities. We bid farewell to our seniors, confident that the skills they acquired in HYS will take them far—wherever they choose to head on this next adventure.
Hawai‘i Youth Symphony “taught me determination—that true growth only comes with time, patience and perserverance,” said Jojo Wung (YSI cello, Mililani High School). “It taught me teamwork—that music is never truly powerful unless it is built together through trust
and understanding. Being part of this community has reminded me that excellence is not born from talent alone, but from dedication, humility and the shared belief that together, we are capable of something far greater than we could ever achieve alone. As I move forward into college and beyond, I know that the lessons, friendships and memories I found here will continue to guide me for the rest of my life.”
Na Mele invocation speakers Nick Williams, Jojo Wung, Eli Wolfe
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2025 ALOHA CONCERT LUNCHEON
What an extraordinary season this has been; one for the memory books, especially as it is our 60th Anniversary! Nearly 800 youth across our summer and school year programs have taken part in the fun and creative art of making music; all the while, developing themselves to their fullest potential and contributing to great art. With each performance, HYS students live our organization’s Core Values: Inspire, Dream Courageously, Grow and Have Fun.
As the season comes to an end, we say thank you to our outgoing Youth Symphony II conductors, Susan Ochi-Onishi (HYS ’80) and Elton Masaki, who combined have led our orchestras for over 20 years. Through the years, some 2,500 students have been under their care, and their batons have graced nearly 300 pieces of music. We are grateful to them for the lasting impressions they have made on every student, and their legacies will always be a part of our story.
Finally, we congratulate and say a hui hou to our Class of 2025, to wish them the best on their next chapters, as they continue their journeys through life and with music.
HYS wouldn’t thrive as it has, without the community of employees, parents, friends, donors and volunteers that surround us. You make HYS the trusted community treasure and resource through which youth learn, perform and grow. Thank you all for supporting our Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony—and cheers to another 60 years!
– RANDY WONG
Mahalo to all who attended our 2025 Aloha Concert Luncheon! With performances by current students, alumni and more, the event was a wonderful reflection of HYS’ incredible reach and the significant impact it has had on our community throughout the years—across islands and across generations.
“I have seen firsthand how HYS brings people from all over the state together through their shared passion for music—regardless of what background they have or what school they come from,” said Nicholas Williams (YSI horn, Punahou). “Through HYS, I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people and make friends that will last a lifetime.”
During the concert, Youth Symphony II gave an encore performance of Hokupaʻa, a new work by Justin Park ‘22 that was commissioned by the Keiko M. Sato Fund for New Music and earlier premiered in the YSII Spring Concert. In the context of our Aloha Concert Luncheon, playing Justin Park’s piece took on even more significance, as he himself was once a student in YSII.
“My experience as a student in HYS Jazz has been an incredible journey of learning and growth. I’ve not only deepened my understanding of the technical aspects of playing music, but also explored my creative side – learning how to tell stories and express emotion,” said Eli Wolfe (Jazz I guitar, University Lab School). “I’ve learned that there’s a difference between hearing and listening and I’ve learned to truly listen to the musicians around me. None of this would have been possible without my wonderful instructors. Their guidance has helped shaped me into the musician I am today.”
Additionally, Youth Symphony I shared the stage with our friends from Ohana Arts, a youth musical theatre organization co-founded by Jenny Taira (HYS ’97). Following the exciting collaboration was another magnificent performance by YSI—this time alongside HYS alumni from various classes spanning six decades.
“Music is one of the few things that can bridge cultures and socioeconomic classes. Music should be celebrated everywhere and it should involve everyone. It helps people grow, build relationships and it’s an important part of any community,” said Parker Nakamura (HYS ‘13), music teacher at Kalani High School. “Since being a student of HYS and seeing it now, it’s expanded quite a bit and it’s a great opportunity for students not only in the islands, but nationally and globally.”
Students from Ohana Arts perform with YSI
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Advocating for the Arts
During this year’s legislative session, select students had the opportunity to participate in the 16th annual Art at the Capitol event. This year’s theme was “Kālena, the Talent of Hawaiʻi,” and lawmakers invited the community to celebrate creativity at the Capitol with self-guided tours and live performances.
Not only did our students get to perform for the public, but they also got to participate in a discussion with Representative Jeanné Kapela on Facebook/Instagram Live and speak one-on-one with Senator Mike Gabbard, Charon Moriwaki, Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto, and others from their respective districts. During these meetings, students Jae Koo and LJ Jury, practiced and implemented their advocacy skills by telling each elected official why access to the arts and art education are important to them.
“This was my very first time meeting government officials. It was a great honor and I was so humbled by the fact that I could share [with them] my experiences in HYS,” said Jae Koo (trombone, Mid Pacific Institute). “This opportunity gave me another reason to work harder and show other students that being part of HYS will change your life.”
HYS fosters engaged members of society by providing opportunities to learn about the lawmaking process and the importance of advocacy. As more students get involved, the closer we get to making music a right!
HYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Erica Mau-Schank ♪
Vice Chair Lauren Yoo ♪
Secretary Lorrin Hirano, Esq. ♪
Treasurer Collin Hoo
Directors
Sharon R. Himeno
Martin Hsia, Esq.
David Imanaka, Esq.
Richard Ing ♪
Malcolm Lau
Michael Onofrietti
Aaron Salā
Jake Shimabukuro
Jean Tsukamoto
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Randy Wong,♪ President & CEO
Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer
Hannah Watanabe,♪ Programs Director
Lauren Sergent, Operations Manager
Brent Ramos,♪ Office Receptionist
SYMPHONY PROGRAM
Joseph Stepec, Director & Conductor (YSI)
Elton Masaki, Conductor (YSII)
Susan Ochi-Onishi,♪ Conductor (YSII)
Wayne Fanning,♪ Conductor (CO)
ACADEMY STRING PROGRAM
Jeff Hamano,♪ Summer Strings
Stefanie Lawton,♪ BSE
Michael Lim,♪ Conductor (SOE & CSO)
Brent Ramos,♪ Coordinator
Carissa Miyamoto,♪ BSE & ISE
Sayuri Yamamoto, BSE
Laurie Shimabukuro,♪ Super Strings
JAZZ PROGRAM
Dean Taba,♪ Director
Ryan Howe,♪ Conductor
Noel Okimoto, Conductor
PACIFIC MUSIC INSTITUTE
Jeremy Lawi,♪ General Manager
Joseph Stepec, Artistic Director
Ignace Jang, Solo & String Quartet
Dean Taba,♪ Jazz
Richard Scerbo, Orchestral Learning Alliance
MUSIC IN THE CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Veronica Cox, Music4Kids – Nānākuli
Daniel Kawaiʻaeʻa Shaver,♪ Nānākuli Strings
Abe Lagrimas Jr.,♪ Music4Kids – Honolulu
♪ denotes HYS Alumni
Sen. Mike Gabbard and L.J. Jury, Kapolei High trombonist
YSI brass quintet (L.J. Jury, Jae Koo, Chris Yara, Kyle Ehara, Nick Williams) with Sen. Sharon Moriwaki
Live discussion with Rep. Jeanné Kapela, Keira Ida Ayu, Matthew Minert, and L.J. Jury
CONGRATULATIONS , CLASS OF 2025!
Nathan Amemiya Clarinet Punahou School
Xelhuan Anderson-Martinez Violin Le Jardin Academy
Kalā (Dylan) Campuspos Cello ‘Iolani School
Leiyao Chang Cello ‘Iolani School
Chloe Chen Harp ‘Iolani School
Preston Chi Violin Punahou School
Max (Maxwell) Chin Saxophone Punahou School
Hailee Choi Violin Kalani High School
Kyle Ehara Trumpet Pearl City High School
Flora Elham Violin Punahou School
Ashley Jisue Hong Violin Punahou School
Kai Im Violin Punahou School
Sara Inao Oboe Sacred Hearts Academy
Isato Kimura Drum Set Punahou School
Sei (Seitaro) Kobayashi Bass ‘Iolani School
Jae Koo Trombone Mid-Pacific Institute
Victor Lee Violin Punahou School
Spencer Lyau Bassoon ‘Iolani School
Vance Maeshiro Violin ‘Iolani School
Carly Mirafuentes Viola Kamehameha Kapalama
Kira Miyamoto Violin Mililani High School
Isabelle Morita Bass Punahou School
David Na Flute Kalaheo High School
Brody (Broderick) Nakasone Electric Guitar ‘Iolani School
Gray Nauwelaerts Viola University Lab School
Maiah Oba Horn Pearl City High School
Sage Shiroma Violin Hawaii Baptist Academy
Kaitlyn Sim Violin ‘Iolani School
Aiden Taheri Clarinet Punahou School
Gwyneth Tenn Violin Punahou School
Tri Truong Violin Waianae High School
Tobi (Tobias) Watanabe Violin Hawaii Baptist Academy
CONGRATULATIONS , CLASS OF 2025!
Kirstin Wee Violin Hawaiian Mission Academy
Nick (Nicholas) Williams Horn Punahou School
Reimer (Heston) Wolf Trumpet Kalaheo High School
Eli Wolfe Electric Guitar University Lab School
Keoni Wun Violin Kamehameha Kapalama
Jojo (Jodie) Wung Cello Mililani High School
Joshua Wung Bass Mililani High School
Daniel Yoo Violin Punahou School
Ayaka Yoshii Oboe Kalani High School
HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Back row: Michael-Thomas Foumai (violin, ’05), Albert Mackey (percussion, ’17), Randy Wong (bass, ’99), Shawn Conley (bass, ’01), Matt Love (bass, ‘05), Tim Leong (violin, ‘73)
Middle row: Sandra Wong (viola, ’70), Lynn Tamayoshi (viola, ’69), Melanie Yukumoto (clarinet, ’00), Nancy Masaki (cello, ’70)
Front row: Aris Doike (cello, ’10), Brent Ramos (violin ’15), Michael Lim (violin ’07), Colton Hironaka (horn, ’09)
ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND
From Left to Right: Colton Hironaka (horn ‘09), Eric Kop (horn ‘83), Max Arakaki (clarinet ‘17), Ryan Ng (clarinet ‘98), DeShannon Higa (trumpet ‘89), Casey Tamanaha (trumpet ‘07), Mark Miyamoto (trombone ‘93), Melanie Yukumoto (bass clarinet ‘00), So Jin Kimura (percussion ‘93), Erin Taoka (oboe, ‘95)
HYS Alumni attending Aloha Concert Luncheon
1350 South King Street, Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96814
MAHALO, MRS. OCHI-ONISHI & MR. MASAKI !
During May’s Aloha Concert Luncheon, we bid farewell to longtime HYS faculty, Mrs. Susan Ochi-Onishi and Mr. Elton Masaki. The conductors of Youth Symphony II have impacted the lives of countless students throughout their time at HYS by challenging them, encouraging them, and pushing them to become their best selves.
