The 53 musicians of the Honor Band of Southern Hall County were set to say "Aloha" this morning to the white sands and glorious surf of Hawaii’s famed Waikiki Beach.

The band, made up of Johnson and West Hall high schools’ finest, was to arrive in Honolulu early today to take part in the July Fourth celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 50th state. On Aug. 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially designated Hawaii the nation’s 50th state.

Students will perform patriotic anthems and danceable tunes such as "Proud Mary" on the USS Missouri battleship anchored at Pearl Harbor.

An entourage of more than 20 eager parent chaperones accompanied the band members, along with band directors David Jones of Johnson and Ernie Phillips of West Hall.

Jones said the weeklong trip caps more than a year of planning, rehearsal and fundraising by students and parents. He said the larger instruments were shipped to the island last week and will be delivered to the band in time for Saturday’s performance.

The flock of Hall County musicians will sport turquoise and red hibiscus print shirts as they entertain the crowds, Jones said.

Sam Simmons, a recent Johnson graduate, plays trumpet in the honor band and said he’s looking forward to hiking Oahu’s lush Diamond Head mountain, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and cruising at sunset on one of the world’s largest catamarans.

Simmons also said he’s excited about the performance venue, site of the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941, that launched U.S. involvement in World War II.

"It’s always been one of those things I’ve always wanted to go see — Pearl Harbor," he said. "It’s definitely going to be an uplifting experience."