Frequently Asked Questions

Invitations to groups can come in one of two ways:

1. Invitations are sent to groups based one or more of several factors we take into consideration including: recommendations from music educators or peers; contest results; past accomplishments and performances; and research done by our committee

2. Groups who represent the Spirit of America, and have a desire to honor our veterans, may request an invitation to participate. These groups may be accepted into the parade after careful consideration by the committee.

The group minimum is 20 participants, and that can include performers, friends, family, and other supporters with the traveling party. There is no maximum number.

There is a registration form on this website, but to be officially accepted in the parade we require groups to complete a "hard copy" registration form. A form can be emailed to you at your request from info@pearlharborparade.org

Yes, we offer 4, 5, and 6 night options as part of an accommodation package that includes hotel, several meals, activities, and the parade. The prices and inclusions are listed on the registration form which can be requested as noted above.

The Parade is on December 7, but the dates of your tour are flexible based on what works best for your group.  You may come in as early and December 2 or 3, and depart as late as December 10 or 11. As long as you are not traveling on December 7, the touring and activities can be adjusted based on your preferred travel dates. 

Absolutely.  We encourage all to participate.  It is ultimately the decision of the school or group leader who they allow to travel with the group, but we are happy to accommodate any and all who are approved to travel. This event will have a lasting impact on all those who attend, whether they are marching in the parade, or are participating as an avid supporter of the group.  

The vast majority of groups in attendance utilize our assistance in finding airline transportation. Our experienced team is well equipped to help you find and secure flights. You are not required to use our services for your air, but we are here if you need us.  

​

Fares can vary based on your location and your home airport. We can get a more official quote approximately 11 months prior to the event. But in general, below are typical fares (by time zone) from around the country. These are estimates only and these fares are by no means guaranteed.

Pacific - between $500 and $700 per seat

Mountain - between $600-$800 per seat

Central - between $700-$1000

Eastern - between $800-$1100

The best way to get them to Hawaii is to simply take them with you on the plane.  All marching band instruments can be either carried on or checked as luggage. Typically anything alto sax and smaller can be carried on, but the rest will need to be checked.  Please keep in mind that currently NO AIRLINES INCLUDE CHECKED BAGGAGE as part of the group fare.  

You will need to check the airline's website for baggage fees, but typically speaking, each checked item will be approximately $50 each way, and oversize or overweight items (such as sousaphones, bass drums, and tenor drums) may incur additional fees of up to $200 per piece, each way. Baggage fees for groups cannot be prepaid, so we recommend you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight to check in. FYI, group fares will include a carry on and a personal item, like a backpack.  

Many of our groups over the years have rented instruments  and other equipment from local Hawaii schools or universities. Instrument rental is limited in Hawaii so our office stays out of the instrument rental business. However, if your group does secure rented or borrowed instruments, our team will pick them up for you and have them available for your performances. 

Motor coach or shuttle transfers are available for all scheduled activities while you are in Hawaii, including transport to and from the Honolulu Airport.  Excursions or activities that are not listed on the sample tour schedule would incur additional transportation costs should you decide to add something to the tour. In most cases our groups stick with the sample schedule and do not have any additional transportation expenses.

Because of the large numbers of groups participating each year from the mainland, it is not possible for us to house all our groups at the same property. We use several hotels in Waikiki, and we typically assign groups to hotels 4-5 months prior to the Parade - when we have final participant counts from all the groups.  All the hotels take great care of our groups and all are just steps from Waikiki Beach, shopping, restaurants, and all the activities that make Waikiki one of the world's most popular destinations.

The overnight accommodation packages all include breakfast for each night stayed, and two additional dinners - one at the Polynesian Cultural Center (or Island Luau), and a post parade picnic dinner.  There are many wonderful places to eat for the other meals, including restaurants, fast food, food courts, food trucks, and convenience stores.  Meals can range in price, but we recommend that you figure on $15-20 per meal.  

The parade extends the entire length of Waikiki, which is approximately 1 mile.  There are no turns in the parade.  It is an evening parade and the setting is incredible as the groups march down the tiki-torch-lit Kalakaua Ave, cheered on by thousands of spectators from all over the world

We require our groups to be in uniform for the parade, but what you wear is up to your discretion.  You may look at the gallery on this website to see what groups have worn in the past.  Marching bands may wear their full marching uniforms, but it is not a requirement.  It will be warm in December in Hawaii, so we recommend you take that into consideration  in your uniform decision. 

Bands and Choirs will be involved in a mass choir and mass band performance at the Opening Ceremony of the parade. Bands will perform the National Anthem and God Bless America, and choirs will sing along to the Anthem and will also sing America the Beautiful. The music for all mass band and choir performances will be provided several months before the trip so each group can prepare. Music does not need to be memorized, but we will not be providing music stands. Lyres and flip folders are perfectly acceptable. 

​

Marching bands will perform as part of the parade, and choirs will walk in the parade. Choirs will have the option of performing the National Anthem on the parade route at one of our review stands at the start of the parade.

​

As an optional performance, groups may elect to perform a feature concert on the dock of the USS Missouri on the day they visit Pearl Harbor (this is a separate day from the parade). This would be a 15-20 minute concert of music of your choosing. Many of our groups do not elect to do this performance, allowing more time to take in the rich history of Pearl Harbor. If you wish to include this performance opportunity, please let our staff know a minimum of 6 months prior to your departure.

We are the sole producers of this event, and all groups much purchase one of our overnight accommodation packages. This is to ensure the we provide consistent and excellent service to every participating group. Groups may elect to go through a separate tour operator or travel agent, but that agent will be required to purchase our package on your behalf.  You will undoubtedly get the best price going directly through us, but we recognize that some organizations or school districts have requirements to travel through certain parties.  

In the short time you are in Hawaii, it will be impossible to see and do everything that our beautiful island state has to offer. But we will do our absolute best to make the most of the time you have. Groups will have one day to visit and tour Pearl Harbor, including the Visitor's Center, USS Arizona Memorial, and the USS Missouri Battleship.  Groups will experience an island tour, getting out of the big city of Honolulu and seeing the gorgeous tropical mountains, valleys, and beaches of Oahu. You will also visit the Polynesian Cultural Center (or a separate Island Luau) where you will enjoy the history and culture of the Polynesian people, and experience a spectacular show, complete with an iconic fire-knife dance. And, of course, you will participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, making memories to last a lifetime!​