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Hana Hou! rock band performs at local school for Red Ribbon Week

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Hana Hou!, the rock band of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, delivered an energetic performance to students and faculty members as part of the school's Red Ribbon Week festivities at Kapolei Elementary School in Kapolei, Hawaii, Nov. 5.

"The performance went very well," said Cosmo Arakawa, the school's assistant principle. "This was our first time hosting the band here at the school and it exceeded my expectations; they were terrific."

Arakawa, along with more than 20 faculty members and 300 students, observed the performance, which included hits such as Pharrell William's "Happy," One Direction's "Story of My Life" and Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," to name a few.

Staff Sgt. Courtney Clifford, a vocalist with the band, said the show went very well and enjoyed the students' reaction to the performance.

"The students were very polite, well behaved and enjoyed the show," Clifford said. "Being able to come out here and perform for schools is a part of our community outreach and we really have fun doing so."

Clifford also said being able to perform in schools strengthens the relationship between the base and the local community, and allows others to see a different side of the military.

"Some of the children have military parents so they're familiar with the life, but this is an opportunity to show them one of the many things you can do in the military that they might love and enjoy doing every day, like making music," Clifford said.

The audience was attentive throughout the performance and reacted to each song with claps and applause. Toward the end of the show, one student started dancing, and by the end of the song, the entire gymnasium was on their feet dancing to the music.

"We'd be happy to have them out again," Arakawa said.  "The kids and staff really enjoyed themselves and we appreciate their performance and making this a great experience."

Red Ribbon Week ran from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31 is part of the national Red Ribbon Campaign. The campaign raises awareness of the effects of drug use, and provides resource information on drug prevention and recovery.