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.


Click here for information on a scholarship in the name of John Riggle is available to those senior band students from Hawaii.



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.