The energy is electric the moment the University of Hawaii at Manoa Rainbow Warrior Marching Band fires off the first note of the school’s iconic fight song, Co-Ed. Stands rattle with fans cheering and clapping along, with the brass section swinging to smooth choreography, and the leader of the band, Gwen Nakamura, dancing on the field, a giant, colorful balloon hat on her head and a shiny tambourine in her hand.
“We’re not the main attraction at sporting events, but we contribute to the atmosphere and bring the energy and fun,” says Nakamura, UH assistant marching band director. “When we bring the music, we bring the spirit.”
The UH marching band is comprised of about 300 students across nearly all majors. It’s an academic course, but it’s also where students with a love for music can grow in their art, perform for thousands of spectators, and have fun in a supportive environment.
“I’ve created familial connections with a lot of people in the band,” says drum major and UH junior Margaret Agcaoili. “And I think that’s rooted in the fact that we’re all here to share something we’re passionate about.”
Their relationships strengthen with the time spent together. The intricate field formations, synchronized marching, and skilled instrument playing might look easy on the field, but what crowds don’t see are the hours of rehearsals that go into the flawless performance.
“There’s a lot of meticulous cleaning to achieve that technical precision and rhythm, and we’re at mental capacity for so long. Sometimes there’s a little frustration,” says drumline captain Jesse Cumpston. “But there are also always those great moments where we’re out on the field, and it just clicks and comes together. It’s very fulfilling.”
Pablo Furukawa, a graduate assistant in the UH music department, is in a unique position of being both a friend and a role model to the marching band undergraduates. He’s been in their shoes; he played saxophone in the band as a student. After he graduated, he taught middle and high school students before returning to UH.
“It’s different now because I am a professional in the field, but I’m also someone who’s refining their craft and honing their skills,” he says. “So, coming back is allowing me to give back to the place that gave me a chance.”
Music is in his blood; his dad played in the UH marching band alongside Nakamura. Furukawa grew up going to UH football games, watching the band play, and visiting Nakamura – all perhaps part of his dad’s plan to encourage him to join the marching band, which, at first, he resisted. But once he picked up the saxophone in middle school, his plans changed.
“It’s funny; I’m even more into it than my dad was,” he says. “And I’m now saying the same things to the undergraduates that he said to me: ‘We did this cool thing when we were marching,’ or ‘We sounded great during this one show.’ I’m grateful for those opportunities, and I feel a great sense of pride in giving them that same experience.”
For Nakamura, seeing her students grow as musicians, bond with each other, and have fun playing in the stands is incredibly rewarding. Because she, too, was once on the sidelines, watching the saxophone section as a child and wanting to be a part of it.
“I remembered seeing the crazy sax players in the stands, and I thought to myself, ‘That looks like so much fun.’ It’s been a life-fulfilling journey,” she says.
“Now, I do this for the students. My hope is that during their time here, they learn to not only become better musicians but also to be good people who carry those values into the world. Because that’s what we’re doing here: Every single person is just as important as the next; we can only do this music and life together as one.”
Photos courtesy Jomar De Gracia
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