On October 31 and November 1, the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) performed four concerts at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center that brought together science, education, art, and music. HSO musicians are members of Local 677 (Honolulu, HI). The performances were a result of a collaborative effort between faculty from the UH Mānoa Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Music Department, College of Education, UH West O’ahu, Windward Community College, UH Academy for Creative Media System, the Bishop Museum, and the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to the performances, students in grades 4-12 had the opportunity to learn about native birds of Hawaii and their biology, ecology, and the importance of conservation. UH music education students also visited the younger students and taught them a hula dance and demonstrated instruments to prepare for the concert.

Melissa Price, project coordinator and assistant professor of natural resources and environmental management at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, explained the importance of educating students about the matter, “Working with children is a great way to go for training up the next up the next generation of people who can have the toolsets and the passion to solve the really big problems like we’re facing with endangered species in Hawai’i.”