Area students travel to Hawaii and perform in honor of Pearl Harbor Day

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – After preparing for nearly a year, band students from Lincoln and Port Edwards High Schools enjoyed a trip to Hawaii in early December. They were there to perform at Pearl Harbor in honor of Pearl Harbor Day.

Port Edwards Band Director Emilie Anderson said they almost took up two flights between the 100 students and around 60 chaperones and parents.

“It was fun to see all the kids who’ve never been on a plane before, just experience that,” said Anderson.

Students got to be tourists the first two days

The group toured the island on their first day, stopping at lookout sites, beaches, and a visit to the dole plantation to see how pineapples and macadamia nuts are grown. The second day, they visited the Polynesian Cultural Center. Anderson said many students enjoyed this tourist day the most.

“There was one grand performance that night that had all of the different cultural dances, they had their outfits, they had fire dancing,” explained Anderson. “There was a whole big experience that night.”

Students performed in the parade and in Pearl Harbor

On December 7th, the students marched and performed in the holiday parade. It being the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, Anderson explained the parade was an even grander affair.

“Everyone was clapping along,” exclaimed Anderson. “Everyone loves ‘On Wisconsin’, and it was just so cool to see how excited everyone was.”

On December 8th, students were taken by boat to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.

“It was very eye opening for a lot of our students. I think in Wisconsin, of course we have our veterans, of course we have our memorials and things here,” said Anderson. “It was just another level that I think they’ve never experienced before and it was great for them to see.”

After touring the Pearl Harbor Memorial the band performed on the USS Missouri and toured the battleship. The group arrived home to a snowstorm on December 10th.