Hempfield band still going to Hawaii despite cancellation of Honolulu Festival 

The Honolulu Festival has been called off, but the Hempfield Area Marching Band still plans to pack its Hawaiian shirts and suntan lotion this spring.

The band, which was scheduled to march in the festival parade, will instead use the time to go sightseeing or to hit the beach, said band director Brian Tychinski.

“Many of the groups in the parade are coming from Asia, where travel restrictions are still much more strict, and the concern for spread is higher,” Tychinski said. “Aside from not doing the parade, we will continue as planned to Hawaii. The state is open for tourism, and our jazz band and Pearl Harbor performances are still scheduled.”

The Honolulu Festival was canceled for the third consecutive year.

In a letter posted on the event’s website, Honolulu Festival Foundation President Hiroyuki Kitagawa attributed the decision to “the ongoing high number of covid delta variant cases occurring globally this winter, coupled with the sudden rise of the omicron variant and the uncertainly of its effects on peoples’ health.

“While we are disappointed about having to cancel the event, we know this is the appropriate decision to make for the correct reasons, especially now that the omicron variant has been detected in Hawaii. Doing our part to support the public’s health and well-being is always our top priority.”

Hawaii has a seven-day average of 129 new cases — which is a 46% increase over the last two weeks — and a 2% infection rate, according to the latest figures from the state health department. On Monday, 150 new cases were reported.

The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed 12 omicron cases in the state. Hawaii has one of the highest vaccination rates in the U.S., with about 73% of its total population being fully vaccinated. Pennsylvania, by contrast, has about 60% of its population fully vaccinated.

“Most of the infected individuals have no known connection with one another. This indicates the omicron variant is spreading deeper into our communities,” Dr. Sarah Kemble, Hawaii’s state epidemiologist, said in a statement.

Hempfield school officials developed a health and safety plan for the Hawaii trip, which includes monitoring covid-related guidelines in Pennsylvania and Hawaii, as well as for airlines.

Hawaii allows people with proof of being vaccinated in the United States to bypass the state’s 10-day quarantine period. The state has an indoor mask mandate and strongly recommends masks be worn outdoors, though they are no longer required.

“With the trip only three months away and with the size of the group traveling, the fees to cancel or modify the trip would cost thousands of dollars,” said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. “Our students have worked very hard to raise funds for this trip and our community has been supportive. There is certainly great educational value in the other planned events.”

There are 120 students expected to go on the trip, scheduled for March 10-15. The cost is about $3,500 per student, with many relying on sub sales to pay for the excursion.

This will be the band’s fourth trip to Honolulu.

In addition to performing, students will visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, where they will see a hula show and take a dinner cruise along the island.