Honolulu City Lights

Punahou Sessions is a set of live music videos created and produced by Allen Murabayashi ’90 in honor of Punahou’s 175th anniversary, to celebrate the extraordinary depth and diversity of talent among alumni and students who create music.
Visit punahou.link/1R... for more information about Punahou Sessions.
Performers:
Aaron Komo ’09 (vocals)
Allen Murabayashi ’90 (piano)
Jason Tam ’01 (vocals)
Producer's Note:
Talk to any theatre kid from Hawai‘i and they’ll tell you they want to be Jason Tam ’01. It might be because they saw the KZbin of Jason trying out for the revival of “A Chorus Line” on Broadway. Google it. As he finishes his audition, the producers say, “Boy, you got me. For an audition, Jesus, that’s excellent.” After he leaves the room, they continue, “Oh, my God. I’m crying. I haven’t cried, in what, 30 years! Sign him up.”
Jason got the part, and many more. But Jason is more than just a Broadway star. He’s a soap opera star. He’s the son of Maui-born Jim Tam ’67. And his Facebook feed is a weirdly humorous stream of consciousness like this gem, “Finally some responsible journalism regarding Bay Leaves. If you're a Bay Leaf supporter please just go ahead and do us both a favor and unfriend me now.” Or this one, “Guys already know this, but ladies lemme tell you. We're living in the #GoldenAge‬ of urinal cakes. There's been a huge leap forward in u. cake technology recently. Shout out to the humans who figured out how to make them smell so legitimately delicious! That cinnamon one, right fellas?!!” To add to the humor, Jason showed up for the recording, having learned a completely different song. Lyrics were printed. Music stands were procured. Hilarity ensued.
Aaron Komo ’09 might have been one of those kids who wanted to be Jason Tam. But the NYU grad and recent Minneapolis-transplant is doing fine on his own, working at the esteemed Gurthrie Theater. Still, he was pretty excited to sing with Jason, and even learned the right song. Don’t worry moms, Aaron’s facial grooming isn’t his normal style - but it was Movember when we recorded this.
This video was the “proof of concept” for Punahou Sessions. We recorded it in my apartment with the help of NYU student Troy Enoka ’15 simultaneously operating a mere two cameras (compared to 5 - 6 on most of the Hawai‘i-based sessions). I had no idea what I was doing, but when Jason and Aaron started singing, I knew we were gonna be ok.
This song is for all my homies living outside the Aloha State. I’ve been boarding that plane at HNL back to the east coast for 26 years, and each time, it’s not easy to leave again…
“Honolulu City Lights” was composed by Keola Beamer, who also wrote the lyrics. Music rights were granted by Niniko Music Inc., a Hawai‘i corporation.