Air Force band rocks out at school

Master Sgt. Darryl McEachin, from Band of the Pacific-Hawaii's rock band, Hana Hou, performs at an elementary school Oct. 22, 2013, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The band performed for over two thousand elementary students at Kaleiopuu and Wailua Elementary schools on Sept. 25, and Oct. 22, 2013. The performances were organized as part of a community outreach incentive program. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Air Force band rocks out at school

Staff Sgt. Courtney Clifford, from Band of the Pacific-Hawaii's rock band, Hana Hou, encourages students to sing at an elementary school Oct. 22, 2013, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The band performed for more than two thousand elementary students at Kaleiopuu and Wailua Elementary schools on Sept. 25, and Oct. 22, 2013. The performances were organized as part of a community outreach program. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Air Force band rocks out at elementary schools

Published Oct. 30, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Courtney Clifford
Air Force Band of the Pacific

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Band of the Pacific-Hawaii's rock band, Hana Hou, performed for more than two thousand elementary students at Kaleiopuu and Wailua Elementary Schools Sept. 25 and Oct. 22 near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The performances were organized as part of a community outreach incentive program.

The students rose to their feet for the entire duration of the show and they sang along to songs including "Firework", "Mirrors", "Diamonds", and "The Cup Song."

"I really enjoyed all the songs that (The Band of the Pacific-Hawaii) played for us," said Apple Mae, an attending student. "I also enjoyed (the bands) awesome voices and I loved to sing and dance."

Mae said she felt shy at first but as the concert progressed, she felt comfortable enough to sing and dance in public for the first time. "I think you guys took out my shyness and I can now talk to all my classmates," she said.

During the show, an anti-bully message was relayed to the students and then they were invited to play percussion and sing along to "Brave," by Sara Bareilles.

"The performance seemed to bring everyone together," said Heiley Fegaegen, from Kaleiopuu Elementary. "It doesn't matter what language you speak, or where you're from, it seems as if music is a language everyone understands."