As Halloween festivities wrap up on campus, we’re happy to report on the successful Friday Night Social called "Ghoulish Game Night." The students and chaperones ate more candy than they needed, engaged in a heated Super Smash Bros tournament (congratulations to our winner, freshman Jazen Moriguchi), and cooked up a tasty taco bar for all to enjoy. The horror films were too scary for me to watch personally, but I heard that the movie room was a hit too!

We also want to highlight two thoughtful Lighting Our Way Banquet shout outs in the media recently. The first is from the University of Hawai`i website featuring photos of Dr. David Lassner, one of the honorees this year. We’re so appreciative of all that the University does for education in Hawaii and look forward to sending a few of our graduating seniors to the institution next year. The article can be read online here: UH Manoa - Dr. David Lassner

Secondly, we’re thrilled to be featured in this week's issue of Midweek! Dated only

yesterday, the article in the "Honolulu Voice" section includes photos from our generous parent volunteer photographer Harry Antipala. It also includes a lovely message about the school and all of our Lighting Our Way honorees.

Thank you all so much for continuing to support our school and peace learning in Hawaii. We look forward to including you on the details of many more banquets, Friday Night Socials, and holiday events to come!

Warmly, 

PBA’s elite performance taiko group Hyaku Sen Ki Kai performed for the annual Schools of the Future event hosted by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools on 10/21 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The event is the largest of its kind in the State where teachers and administrators discuss solutions on how Hawaii schools can better serve students. The program featured keynote speakers and breakout sessions focusing on topics such as project and place-based learning, social and emotional learning, and teaching and learning with technology.  

“Teachers have such a large impact in all of our lives,” reflected senior Tayne Furuta. “At PBA, we have a close connection with our advisors and see them more as life mentors than strictly educators. It was an honor for us to play at a conference that helps teachers become the inspiring leaders they are today.”  

The students performed five songs: "Mishaguji Yabusame," "Aspirations," "Omiyage," "Wa," and "Miyake." This event was their debut performance of "Mishaguji

Yabusame" and the students hope to teach the drumming patterns to a new generation of PBA performers next year. The piece was composed by Daihachi Oguchi, sensei of Osuwa Daiko. Yabusame is a type of mounted Japanese archery where an archer on horseback, often a Japanese samurai warrior, shoots arrows at targets. In this piece, the performer’s arm motions resemble the shooting of an arrow. 

The enthusiastic crowd at the convention center requested an encore and the students improvised with the piece "Miyake." This piece was arranged by a Japanese group called Kodo. The style is from, Miyake-jima, an island found off the coast of Japan. It’s traditionally played from sunrise to sunset, and is a favorite of founding head of school Pieper Toyama. 

“Jay Sensei teaches us the origins behind each song,” explained senior Chad Okawa. “It helps us understand the motions we should be emulating and brings more power and emotion to our performance. It is also another way to preserve culture and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so!”  

Hyaku Sen Ki Kai looks forward to future performances and continuing to carry on the rich history of traditional taiko. 

PBA freshmen in their Halloween costumes.

Students battle it out at a game of tennis.

An intense game of chess occupies students in the student commons.