Michael Nakasone (2005-Present)
Bandmaster Michael Nakasone was appointed to the Royal Hawaiian Band in 2005. He is the only Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band to have had the distinction of being invited into the prestigious American Bandmaster's Association. Bandmaster Nakasone received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor award in 1995 and was chosen as Hawaii's State Teacher of the Year in 1996. That same year he received the United States Collegiate Wind Bands Citation of Honor Award, and in 2005, received the Hawaii Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Aaron David Mahi (1981-2005)
A native Hawaiian and graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, Mahi furthered his musical training at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut and did graduate work at Loma Linda university in California. His tenure with the band was the second longest in its history and during this time he took the band on a historic trip to Europe where they entertained nearly 17,000 people in 19 concerts over 21 days. He also led the band in a tour of the mainland U.S., which was highlighted by an exuberant performance at New York's Carnegie Hall, and a tour of Japan where they commemorated a sister-city relationship with Hiroshima. In 1999 under Bandmaster Mahi's baton, the band was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Four years later in 2003, bandmaster Mahi was the recipient of a German "Order of Merit" for his perpetuation of German music in the band. Called the "Bundesverdienstkreuz," he was presented with the award during a ceremony at `Iolani Palace.

Kenneth K. Kawashima (1969-1980)
Bandmaster Kawashima was a clarinet player with the West Point Military Academy Band before being hired to play with the Royal Hawaiian Band. He then completed a music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He led the band on two tours of Canada and trips to the outer islands including a performance in Hana, Maui.

Lloyd Krause (1964-1968)
Born in Minnesota and educated at San Diego State University, he came to Hawaii to teach. During his reign as bandmaster, he reinstated the weekly Iolani Palace concerts while adding a new series of concerts on Saturday evenings called the "Twilight Concert Series" and concerts for children called "Music in the Schools."

Earle Christoph (1958-1963)
A clarinet player from Wisconsin that studied under the principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony, Earl Christoph joined the army and ended up in Hawaii during a stopover en route to China. He ended up staying and becoming the band director of Farrington High School. This position eventually led to his nomination as bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band. As bandmaster, he ensured that sections of the band's concerts were dedicated to Hawaiian music as the public complained that Hawaiian music was being pushed out of the program.

William L. Baptiste (1956-1957)
Bandmaster William Baptiste was appointed to the position by Mayor Neil Blaisdell despite major opposition by board supervisors. The music community was divided in their opinions about Baptiste and eventually he was not reappointed when his term ran out.

Domenico Moro (1941-1955)
Born, raised, and musically trained in Sicily, he left his home to join the U.S. Navy and became the youngest bandmaster ever appointed in the Navy's history. During a station at Pearl Harbor he fell so in love with Hawaii that, though he left for the mainland, he returned 2 years later to stay for good. As bandmaster, the level of the band's proficiency was raised and so did the musicians' salaries.

Charles E. King (1939-1941)
Charles King returned to the position of bandmaster after the death of Frank Vierra and stayed until the beginning of World War II - when he decided to move to the mainland U.S.

Frank J. Vierra (1934-1939)
Schooled at the Illinois Conservatory of Music, he returned to Hawai`i to become a part-time member of the band under Henry Berger as well as other musical groups around Honolulu. Then he left Hawai`i to lead the band for the Pennsylvania Pulp and Paper Company for 15 years. Under his baton the band flourished, the budget for the group increased, and members' pay was raised. The band staged radio broadcasts of their Kapi`olani Park concerts and set a world's record by playing for 12 hours straight, performing nearly the entire band's music catalog.

Charles E. King (1932-1934)
In secondary school, he studied music with Lili`uokalani, then went on to further his schooling by studying to become a teacher himself. He taught in local schools, went into insurance, and was elected as a territorial senator all before becoming bandmaster. He was also a prolific writer, lecturer, publisher, and composer of the only opera in Hawaiian. He became bandmaster in 1932 until he accepted a position to host a Hawaiian music radio program.

Mekia Kealakai (1930-1932)
He returned as bandmaster during an interim tenure of just over a year while a suitable replacement was sought.

John Amasiu (1927-1929)
Born in Maui and a bandsman under four bandmasters, he played with the band for 25 years before becoming bandmaster. After becoming bandmaster, the band's concerts at Kapi`olani Park became more frequent and popular.

Mekia Kealakai (1920-1926)
A pupil of Henry Berger, Mekia learned how to play the trombone, flute, and piano - eventually earning a position in the band as a trombonist. However on a trip with the band to the mainland U.S., he played the flute during a performance for John Philip Sousa and was offered a position to play with his band on the spot. Mekia politely refused and eventually became bandmaster upon the request of mayor Johnny Wilson. Under Mekia, the band expanded their listening audience by performing for regular radio broadcasts.

Robert H. Baker (1917-1920)
Was the grandson of the band's third bandmaster William Merseburgh and played bass under Henry Berger. He was appointed bandmaster by the mayor of Honolulu, Joseph James Fern and during his tenure, the band received its first headquarters in Kalihi. Then in 1920, Baker received and accepted an offer to become the sheriff of Khala on the Big Island of Hawai`i.

Kalani Peters (1916-1917)
A bandsman since 15 years old, he served the band for only one year and was replaced upon a change in Hawaii's then administration. During his brief tenure he was able to compose many arrangements and original compositions for the band.

Henry Berger (1871-1915)
The most influential bandmaster in the band's entire history, Henry Berger came to Hawaii originally on loan from the Prussian government. He quickly adapted to life in the islands and began working to compose or arrange nearly all the music played by the band. He even arranged music of European composers, including orchestral transcriptions as the band grew larger to incorporate more instruments. Through this, he introduced the Hawaiian public to classical European music though the core of his concerts was the Hawaiian songs he wrote and arranged for the band. He also composed the music to the "Hymn of Kamehameha I" which would later become the Hawaiian national, and now, state
anthem "Hawai`i Pono`."

Frank Medina (1871)
A native of Portugal, he visited Hawaii to sing with a group called "Brook's Minstrels." During his stay in the islands he was asked to lead the band; however due to large amounts of debt, he fled Hawaii disguising himself as a black man.

William Northcott (1870-1871)
Upon arriving in the islands from New Zealand, his main duty was to re-energize "the King's Band." He employed 12 students, from a reform school, as musicians with the band.

William Merseburgh (1848-1870)
A native of Germany on loan to the Kingdom of Hawai`i for a contract of 5 years (though staying on the position longer), was paid $30 a month and made to promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks.

George Washington Hyatt (1845-1848)
He was an escaped slave that played both flute and clarinet under the previous bandmaster before becoming the bandmaster himself. He was known as "Black George."

Oliver (1836)
First bandmaster of the group of musicians called "the King's Band." He is known only by his first name.

References
Stone, Scott C.S. The Royal Hawaiian Band: Its Legacy. Waipahu: Island Heritage, 2004.
Kanahele, George S. Hawaiian Music and Musicians. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1979.