By Lindsey Scott
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On Nov. 24, eight MHS students performed alongside the Hawaii All State Marching Band in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade held in New York City. Freshman Leila Redoble, Malia Della Sophomores Kelsie Kuniyoshi, Janice Alegre, Kamie Miyaji, Juniors Tiani Scott, Kylie Alos and Senior Vanessa Kenui all danced hula in the parade while Senior Brannon Kusumoto performed with the color guard.
“It was really surreal and it was just an awesome feeling (from) right when we stepped (out), before we even started marching and seeing all the floats and everything and then like going in the parade and seeing (the) millions of people watching us and cheering us on,” said Scott.
The unique nature of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade created a distinctive experience for each individual who participated. “Well, I felt like I’ve grown as a spinner because they taught me a lot of values over there too, like, it may be a year, but you still have to work hard, as if the parade’s tomorrow, even though it’s like a year from now. And it taught me a lot of responsibility, like I had to give up all my Sundays and I (had) to go across the island (to) wherever the practice is and be there on time and be prompt and just work hard,” explained Kusumoto. “The experience was really good. Our, my kumu actually—our whole halau wasn’t supposed to do it, so she’s really good at creating opportunities for us and it’s just, you can’t really say ‘oh I danced the Macy’s Parade,’ as a not normal person,” added Alegre.
The preparation that went into creating the dance for this parade took copious amounts of time and effort from both the dancers and kumu. “(We) had rehearsals on our own with our halau and there (were) other hula girls that came in from different high schools and everything. But as a group with the band, we had about five hour rehearsals every month, so that’s where we got to practice marching, our stand performance and you know just work out the little kinks and stuff,” said Alegre. Kusumoto added, “Well we started a year ago actually, and we had a practice (on) Sunday every month. (We) practiced at different schools, like one time we practiced (at MHS) and then one time
we practiced at Aloha Stadium. We practice all over the island.”
Those who performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade had support outside of their bands and halaus. “My whole family (supported me), but my mom really supported me because she actually danced in the parade too. So it was really cool to (have) her alongside of me and you know, just make sure I’m okay and everything,” explained Alegre. Scott added,“Well my family of course and they were actually all with me pretty much and (my friends), Anu, Rachel and Kaylee. The day before, they gave me roses and stuffs and they were all watching it the day (of).” Kusumoto also said, “My whole family, but then especially my aunty and my uncle because they live on the east coast and then they came personally to New York to watch me and then my parents, of course, for funding the whole trip.”
Those who performed each had their own way of supporting themselves in both practices and the actual parade. “(We) had to wake up around, (2 a.m.) to be down (at) a tv rehearsal around 3 (a.m.) I believe and that’s where we had to run over our performance for that section so that they would know ‘oh who are we going to record’ and stuff like that. But the parade didn’t actually start until 9 (a.m.),” said Alegre. Kusumoto added “I just like to calm myself down and I don’t like to think about last minute things. I just like to be stress free and just relax, ‘cause I feel like I perform best when I relax.” Scott also explained, “Well, I wasn’t nervous to perform in front of everyone, I was just kinda getting nervous about being videotaped being (it’s) shown worldwide. But, I kinda just practiced on my own and made sure I was ready for (the parade).” Alegre also said, “I guess, you don’t really think that you’re prepared all the way, but you just have to tell yourself ‘oh, I’m ready, I can do this.’”
While they do not know if they will able to participate in next year’s Macy’s Parade, these students will continue to dance and perform with their Halau Na Maka O Puuwai Aloha. Kusumoto will also continue performing with the MHS Marching Band Color Guard in parades and any other future event. There are also some local parades like the Mililani Christmas Parade that other MHS students, including the color guard, perform in.
