Pahoa High and Intermediate School - Hilo, Big Island
May 18, 2009Jake headed an assembly for Pahoa School’s intermediate and high school that consisted of about 700 students. Pahoa’s Polynesian music program was discontinued this year, however, Pahoa has many talented students and ukulele can often be heard on campus. Musician Damon Williams graduated from Pahoa and they are exceptionally proud of his accomplishments. Thank you to June Niimi, Pahoa’s mathematics teacher, for coordinating and arranging this visit. Pahoa had an energetic crowd with students screaming and applauding throughout the whole “Let’s Dance” piece. Even before Jake would start a song, the students were cheering in anticipation.
Jake played “I’m Yours” for the students and even attempted to sing to demonstrate the melody. Jake received a request to play Dragon, which was a challenge in their old gym that echoed all other sounds. Jake managed to pull it off and later also played his instrumental arrangement of “Maui, Hawaiian Supaman” with some exceedingly fast strumming and his own added flare to the piece. Jake promoted following passions and doing whatever your heart feels is right. These days it is getting harder and harder for people to find happiness and Jake told the students that when they do what makes them happy, they will always be successful.
Jake said that he knew there were talented students in the audience and requested someone come up and sing a song. A young boy was volunteered up and sang a verse of “Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye.” This student had a great voice and his band actually won the “Brown Bags to Stardom” contest in the music video category. This concluded this assembly and everyone was tremendously indebted to Jake for coming to their school. Thank you again to June for this opportunity and continuous support. Thanks to Pancho Sumoba for singing with Jake, that was awesome!
