Musicians of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra onstage at the Hawai‘i Theatre.
In Wednesday’s (2/12) Hawaiʻi Public Radio, Cassie Ordonio reports, “The nonprofit Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is looking to the state Legislature for a more stable funding source to expand its musical resources statewide. On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts Committee advanced Senate Bill 441, which would recognize HSO as a state orchestra and grant it $500,000 for the next two years…. Amy Iwano, president and CEO of HSO, said the measure would help the orchestra expand free public concerts statewide, enhance music education for thousands of children in the state, support local musicians and cultural collaboration, and commission new works that reflect Hawai‘i’s unique heritage. ‘Right now, many communities—especially on the neighbor islands and in underserved areas—have little to no access to live symphonic music,” Iwano said … The state Department of the Attorney General raised concerns about the measure, saying … that a preamble explaining its intent should be included in the bill…. Simon Woods, president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, said many orchestras look to their state legislatures for financial support, especially when they’re statewide organizations like Hawai‘i’s. He added that orchestras like those in Salt Lake City and Seattle often get support from legislatures through tax-related arts funding…. Music Director Lam underscored that HSO will still be an autonomous organization if the bill becomes law.”
