The Honolulu Wind Ensemble (formerly known as the Honolulu Community Concert Band) is a state & federally recognized tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, comprised of volunteer members who enjoy playing instrumental music and performing for the community. All walks of life are represented within HWE, including teachers, lawyers, engineers, scientists, military personnel, doctors, students, and retirees. New members are welcome to join us.
The Honolulu Wind Ensemble performs a diverse repertoire of entertaining and challenging band literature, ranging from marches and light popular selections to classical works and symphonic transcriptions. Our concert seasons follow the calendar year—Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—during which we typically present three to four performances at shopping centers, senior residences, and occasionally outdoor venues.
Membership in the HWE does not require an audition; however, we expect participants to possess the musical proficiency necessary to perform works at the level of our repertoire. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Sacred Hearts Academy band room, located at 3253 Waialae Avenue.
In addition to local performances, the ensemble periodically tours to share our music with audiences on the Neighbor Islands as well as international destinations such as Australia, Canada, and Japan.
Photos from our 2025 Summer Concert Season
In 2011, the Omiya Wind Symphony was scheduled to perform a concert with HWE on March 12th. However, when the musicians from Saitama, Japan, were on their way to Narita Airport on March 11th, the devastating earthquake and tsunami dashed their hopes of leaving for Hawaii. The joint concert never happened, but HWE performed a benefit concert that raised more than $5,000 for the Japanese tsunami relief effort. On January 28, 2012, HWE performed in a joint concert with the Omiya Wind Symphony and their internationally distinguished conductor, Toshio Akiyama.
In June 2014, HWE traveled to Japan and performed again with the Omiya Wind Symphony at a joint concert at Saitama Hall on June 14, 2014. In a special presentation and signing at the concert, the Omiya Wind Symphony and the Honolulu Wind Ensemble were officially recognized as sister bands.