As it prepares to perform at the 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day, the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard received a motivational pep talk from the Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber, who visited with the haumāna on Monday to officially invite them to participate in the parade.

Farber explained that this yearʻs parade theme “Power of Hope” resonates with the KS group because “Each one of you are going to be part of history this year, and youʻre special because of your heritage, culture, the spirit of Kamehameha and the community you represent.”

Added Farber: The power of hope brings everyone together at a time when our country is so divided. With hope, you can aspire to do better; with hope, everything is possible – it never quits, and canʻt be taken away from you. You give us hope because I see the future when I see you.”

The students, kumu and chaperones are preparing to perform and march along the 5.5-mile parade route that is expected to host more than 800,000 spectators. The Rose Parade, according to Farber, will reach a worldwide television audience of more than 350 million people and the group from KS is expected to include 150 students from both KS Kapālama and Maui as well as participants from the Hawaiian Ensemble and Kamehameha Dance Company.

“It’s really amazing to talk with someone so high up in an organization like the Tournament of Roses,” said KSK junior Cheyenne Bajo, one of the band’s drum majors. “I’m really excited to help lead the band, and see all the floats in the parade.”

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