Maui High School is set to be the first Hawaii public school in nearly a decade to appear in the iconic Pasadena, Calif., New Year’s Day Rose Parade. 

The school’s Saber Marching Band and Color Guard has been invited to appear in the nationally televised 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade, marking the event’s 126th anniversary.

The prestigious event — a festival replete with flower-covered floats, equestrians and a college football game — features top marching bands from around the world.

The last time a Hawaii public school appeared in the parade was in 2006 with Pearl City High, which has attended the event five times total. Maui High is also the second neighbor-island school to be invited to the parade, with the first one being Hilo High in both 1992 and 1971. 

Twenty-nine Hawaii bands have appeared in the Rose Parade, including the Hawaii All-State Band, which is also set to participate in the 2014 parade. 

Maui High Band Director Kerry Wasano said he and the 110 students involved in the school’s band and color guard plan on devoting the next year to fundraising for the trip.  

Photo: Saber Marching Band. (Courtesy of mauihighband.org)

— Alia Wong