One Day: Keep VSAS Singing!

"Sometimes I lay under the moon and thank goodness that I’m breathing. Then I pray don’t take me soon ‘cause I’m here for a reason".  Lyrics: 'One Day' by Matisyahu

ONE DAY at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences charter school a 5th grade class practiced and practiced a song for their upcoming debut at the school Theater Night.  All kids and instruments were ready: ukulele, guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, drum sets, microphones. The song being rehearsed by the excited '5th Grade Rock Band' was 'One Day' by Matisyahu, a beautiful song of hope, positivity and perseverance - undoubtably a great message for our next generation.

 "Sometimes in my tears I drown, but I never let it get me down. So when negativity surrounds, I know some day it ‘ll all turn around because… ". Lyrics: 'One Day' by Matisyahu

Just ONE DAY before a long awaited school performance, The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences (VSAS) was burglarized. Several thousand dollars' worth of musical instruments and equipment were stolen from our community school, and more importantly, our community's children.  To ensure that our keiki continue to be able to thrive in a creative and musical environment, concerned families and community members in Volcano, Hawaii and beyond are pulling together to raise money for the The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences' music program. We hope not only to replace the items stolen, but also enable the school to grow its music program, despite adversity.  

The theft at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences has left the Volcano community and the students shocked and saddened.  Volcano School is a public charter school, which relies on the generosity of their community and partners to retain and enhance the high level of programs that it offers to its under-served,  under-privileged, rural communities.  Serving a 1,760 area, about 55% of Volcano School's students come from Upper Puna district, about 40% come from the Kaʻu district, and the remaining 5% come from Hilo and Lower Puna with many students traveling 25 or more miles each way to school to this unique learning environment.

"All my life I’ve been waiting for, I’ve been praying for, for the people to say, that we don’t want to fight no more, there will be no more wars, and our children will play". Lyrics: 'One Day' by Matisyahu

The school’s mission is “learning through Volcano’s unique natural and cultural resources to become creative global citizens." The children of the VSAS are seen as active members of the community and are often learning and participating in community activities near Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Volcano Market, The Niʻaulani and Volcano Art Center, as well as the nearby Kīlauea Theater.

The school has several wonderful music teachers who instruct and inspire our children in a variety of ways.  They allow the kids to find their own voice musically, introduce and teach children to musical instruments, and teach them, as early as Kindergarten, to become comfortable on stage performing to the best of their ability -  all very important life skills.

Each morning the combined voices of the elementary students can be heard beginning their day with an ʻoli (Hawaiian chant) led by Kiliona "Moku" Young. The morning Piko Wehena readies the children for the day, by using the power of their voices and the intention of the words to begin afresh.

Hal Tredinnick, Music and Digital Media teacher, inspires kids to have fun with music. It was Uncle Hal and his 5th grade class who suffered directly from the burglary. Thankfully, community members pulled together and provided the class with guitars, bass guitars, ukulele, and microphones for the performance, and the show went on!

Each Spring our elementary school performs a very special musical show for parents and the community uniquely created by as artist, educator, and founder of the school, Dina Kageler. The Spring Musical integrates science, art, and culture to teach the student performers and the audience about the local Hawaiian natural and cultural environment through music and theater. 

"One day this will all change, treat people the same, stop with the violence, down with the hate. One day we’ll all be free and proud to be under the same sun, singing songs of freedom".  Lyrics: 'One Day' by Matisyahu



What can you do today?

Help us create the community where our children can continue to play and not be affected by the thoughtless few who would steal from them.

Money donated to this fund will go directly to the music program of The Volcano Arts & Sciences to recuperate the losses of the items stolen, to purchase needed instruments or equipment, and to otherwise support the program. The money will directly affect the students of Volcano and surrounding communities who love this school and their music.

Mahalo Nui Loa from the Volcano community