History
The Hawaii All-State Marching Band (HASMB) - "NA KOA ALI’I" was formed in April 2002 as a special private performing organization. The group is open to representative(s) from public and private schools that have an instrumental/band music and performing arts program in the state of Hawaii; giving the participants opportunities and experiences that they would not otherwise have. Over forty different schools usually participate - all coming from the islands of O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and the Island of Hawai’i.
In 2016, they were one of 11 marching bands that was selected from over 200 applications for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and was at that time, the largest marching band in the history of the parade.
Recent tours, the Na Koa Ali'i has partnered with Halau Na Maka O Pu’uwai Aloha lead by Kumu Mandi Scott.
Matt Urabe is selected as the Lead Performance Director for the 2024 Na Koa Ali'i - Hawaii All State Marching Band.
The Managing Director is John Riggle, Director Emeritus of both Kailua High School and Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus. He was instrumental in the formation and organization of the Na Koa Ali'i - Hawai'i All State Marching Band since 2002.
Pasadena Tournament of Rose Parade - Past Directors
2003 Michael Payton - Kahuku High School
2009 Michael Payton - Kahuku High School
2014 Kerry Wasano - Maui High School
2019 Matt Urabe - Kamehameha Schools
2024 Matt Urabe - Kamehameha Schools
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Past Directors
2005 John Riggle - Kamehameha Schools
2011 John Riggle - Kamehameha Schools
2016 Henry Fu - Waipahu High School
2021 - Postponement due to Covid
In the beginning...
Previously John Riggle had managed the Hawaii Music Ambassadors which took band membership from several schools in Hawaii as a touring group for Europe but after 15 tours, he disbanded the group after feeling that the tour fees became too costly for local residents. In 2002, John Riggle had then led the Kamehameha Schools Warrior Marching Band in it's third appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. He wanted to again find a way to share this experience with other students from Hawaii thus the Na Koa Ali'i - Hawai'i All-State Marching Band (HASMB) was formed.
The initial application there was no band - only a plan to form a composite performing group that represented various schools from the State of Hawaii. The staff included five band directors who had experience with their own groups in the Rose Parade. The group would practice monthly separately on each island with staff visiting between the islands to insure uniformity. The group will not rehearse together until the actually arrived on tour in Southern California -- much like a "gig" band - formed only for the unique occasion and then is disbanded afterwards. Each time the group is formed, it has had different membership and changing directors although the years.
2002-2003 Staff
John Riggle, Kamehameha Schools
Managing Director
Michael Payton, Kahuku High School
Lead Director
Eldon Seta, Moanalua High School
Oahu Director
Derek Kaapana Mililani High School
Oahu Director
Daryl Agena Kapolei High School
Oahu Director
Kerry Wasano Maui High School
Maui Director
Siuai Laufou, Kamehameha Schools
Maui Director
Larry MacIntosh, Kauai High School
Kauai Director
Randy Skaggs, St Joseph School
Big Island Director
Armando Mendoza, Hilo High School
Big Island Director
Music Arrangement by Siuai Laufou/Michael Payton.
Vance Kitaoka
Percussion
Doreen Payton
Group Administration.
Charles Iwanaga
Group Travel Planner
Claire Kim
Accounting
Delbert Kim
Group Travel Coordinator
Rickey Badua, Kamehameha Schools
Drum Major
In 2016 - The group has grown to 600 performers - at the time was the largest marching band to appear at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The band has received an invitation to return to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021 but had to postpone due to Covid.
2022-2023
Na Koa Ali'i will be celebrating 20 years - making appearances in the biggest televised events in the US: four Pasadena Tournament of Roses parades and three Macy's thanksgiving Day parades. Over 2000 student performers from Hawai'i have participated since the organization's inception.
First PR photo in 2002.