TheHawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO), formerly known as theHonolulu Symphony Orchestra, was founded in 1900. It is one of the oldest orchestras in the United States west of theRocky Mountains. The orchestra performs at theHawaii Theatre and the renovatedNeal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall inHonolulu. Previous music directors includedFritz Hart,George Barati, Robert La Marchina, andDonald Johanos.Dane Lam is the current Music Director, having assumed the post in July 2023.
The orchestra was originally housed in a clubhouse on the slopes of Punchbowl. From 1996 to 2004, the orchestra was under the direction of conductorSamuel Wong. In August 2007,Andreas Delfs became principal conductor of the orchestra and led seven concerts per season in the orchestra's Halekulani Masterworks series.[1]
In 2009–2010, the Honolulu Symphony faced significant financial challenges and ceased operations following bankruptcy proceedings. In 2011, a group of Hawaiʻi community leaders acquired the orchestra’s assets and relaunched the organization under the nameHawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, resuming performances later that year.[2]JoAnn Falletta was appointed artistic director, and Steven Monder, former executive director of theCincinnati Symphony Orchestra, was appointed president.
In 2014, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra introduced themusicthatPOPS concert series, featuring popular and multimedia programming alongside its classical offerings.
Falletta later assumed the title of Conductor Emeritus.Ignace Jang is the orchestra’s currentconcertmaster.
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