Band rocks Big Island

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young
  • Defense Media Activity - Hawaii
KONA, Hawaii --  The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii recently performed at Kohala High School as part of their tour on Kona, which is also known as the Big Island of Hawaii. The 283 students and staff members were delighted by the band's performance.

"It was fantastic having the band here," said Melody Nietfeld, school counselor. "They played a large variety and our kids were really engaged and there were almost as many adults here to hear them as we have students."

The band works out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and performs around the Hawaiian island area. It is primarily a rock band, but the group also plays oldies, current R & B, country and local Hawaiian tunes. The twelve-person group is comprised of three horn players, two guitarists, two vocalists, one bass player, one drummer, one keyboard player, one sound engineer and the band director.

The band is in the middle of a 12-day tour across the Big Island conducting a community outreach mission.

According to band director Chief Master Sgt. Sharon Johnson, "This is what we do; we get people's attention by going out and engaging the public."

"In many cases we are the only Air Force (people) that they see," said saxophonist Tech. Sgt. Josh Fedele.

Band performances promote the Air Force and are a good recruiting method.

"The band really sends positive messages to our kids," said Ms. Nietfeld. "Good clean music and good clean fun from some positive individuals and our kids loved it."
The band has been greeted with great turnouts thus far.

"I loved the shows I've seen from them so far," said Anthony Davis, a local musician. "They're so professional; I wish they could come every weekend."