After more than two decades without a university band, the is ready to bring the music back. Leading that effort is new assistant professor of music Ocean Akaka, who arrives with a clear vision: rebuild the band program and help revitalize Hawaiian music through bold new arrangements and performances.
Akaka, who recently returned home to Â鶹´«Ã½ after teaching on the U.S. continent, arrived in Hilo on a one-way ticket late last year.
“I quickly got settled in, and flew to Oʻahu to spend the holidays with my family, something I haven¡¯t done since 2020,” he said. “That was a great moment for sure.”
Building musical bridges
Akaka, who specializes in conducting wind ensembles and athletic bands, is now part of UH ±á¾±±ô´Ç¡¯²õ . However he said his larger mission reaches beyond performance. His research revolves around the revitalization of Hawaiian music through arrangements for Western instrumental ensembles, such as orchestra and band.
Born and raised in Wahiaw¨¡, Akaka earned his bachelor¡¯s degree in from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹. He later completed both his master¡¯s and doctoral degrees in conducting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. There, he led marching and pep bands, directed ensembles and taught conducting. His arrangements have been performed across the U.S. and Europe.
Now he brings that experience home.
“I¡¯m writing a few arrangements of music from Charles E. King¡¯s songbook,” he said. “Many of the songs written in this book are for one or more vocalists, and an accompanying ukulele, guitar or steel guitar. I¡¯m working to arrange these songs for a wind ensemble, and have them performed by the students here at UH Hilo.”
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—By Susan Enright