Wai'anae High School's Alumni Band performs at their homecoming game.

For the past four years Wai’anae High school’s homecoming has been accompanied by the Alumni Band, which is made up of previous band members who graduated form WHS. The band was created as a creative outlet when the official band program for the school was canceled. This year’s alumni band member, Maire Sana, had taken the initiative to coordinate this year’s alumni band to play at homecoming. A class of 2010 graduate, Sana first got into band in her freshman year where she was playing the trumpet, and now she plays the crash cymbals, snare drums, quads, trumpet, and bass drums. By doing so, she was able to familiarize herself with the advanced band members while being in the beginning class. Along with Maire, there are 20 other participants. Though, not all of them are alumni. Sophomore Taase Taofi, is one of three privileged high school students to be a part of the Wai’anae High school Alumni band.

“Maire asked me if I wanted to join so I said yes and then she told me the time and the date,” Taase said.

Being part of the Alumni Band is a privilege for high school students, especially because not many students get the chance to play with the veterans. To some members of the Alumni Band, its more then just a time to get together and have fun. It’s dedication.

“Dedicated, definitely dedicated. Just the fun and seeing other people want to hear us play at homecoming,” Sana said.

It’s only been two years since she’s been a part of the Alumni Band and she’s already taking charge and putting it together. Sana had to get approved by Wai’anae High School’s principal, Mr. Shigeta, as well as Mrs. Uimori, Homecoming coordinator. On top of that, she also had to gather people together and find a place for them to practice. No amount of obstacles could stop Sana from bringing spirit to Wai’anae’s Homecoming, and Sana doesn’t want to stop there.

“I want the high school to have a band back. Try to ask all of the students to come and participate because a lot of the students that were in the intermediate band, and are now in high school, they’re going back to the intermediate,” Sana said.

For her, the next level would be helping the high school to have a band itself, instead of relying solely upon the alumni to bring some school spirit.