Konawaena High School - Big Island, Hawaii
February 05, 2009On the Kona side of the Big Island, Jake visited Konawaena High School where there were banners and signs waiting to welcome him. Janet Coburn from the Kahilu Theatre also organized this visit. Jake explained how music was always important to his family and he started playing when he was four years old.
After playing a few songs, Jake shared with the students that music is a transmitter and it doesn’t matter what instrument you play, it has the capability to translate your feelings to others. Because an underlying force of problems with relationships and friendships is miscommunication and music brings out people’s feelings in its purest form. After Jake played his share of songs, it was the student’s turn. One of the students, Cody, played Jake’s original “Crosscurrent” in front the school and he was incredible. He also came to Jake’s concert at the Kahilu Theatre and said that he learned the song by watching YouTube videos. Jake wasn’t sure if could play after a performance like that!
Jake still followed up with “Orange World” and then got a request to sing. He knew there were good singers in the audience and asked a female student to come up who sang “Turn Your Lights Down Low”. She had a beautiful voice and sang excellent even though she was a little shy. Then at the end, a group of students came up and sang, played the ukulele, and performed a hula for Jake. It was completely unplanned and they did a wonderful job. When everything was finished, the students rushed up to talk to Jake and get his autograph. Again a warm mahalo to Janet for arranging these school visits!