Mr. Aaron Paragoso, Music Director, Manana Elementary School

May 7, 2019 | Heart and Soul

Manana Elementary School bid a heartfelt Aloha on Friday, May 3 to their beloved Mr. Aaron Paragoso who will be retiring at the end of the school year after 25 years of teaching music and directing the Na Keiki ‘O Manana Choir at the school.

The evening began with a delicious Spaghetti dinner served inside the school cafeteria, followed by recognition certificates presented to Mr. Paragoso by Hawaii State Senator Clarence Nishihara, Hawaii State Representative Roy Takumi, and Honolulu City Councilman Brandon Elefante.

After the recognition certificate presentations, Mr. Paragoso led Na Keikiu ‘O Manana for the final time in front of an adoring and truly grateful Manana ohana. The kids sang from their hearts as emotions for their teacher, and teacher for his students, were uplifted and celebrated with each song.

A music teaching career that began in 1994, came full circle after 25 years on May 3, as Na Keiki ‘’O Manana alumni made a surprise cameo appearance while joining current students for a final farewell performance under the direction of Mr. Paragoso. It was an incredible moment in time that I will never forget.

“Tonight is overwhelming,” said Mr. Paragoso. “I’m just so thankful that I was at a school that values music education, and I’m so honored that I taught all these kids. For me, it’s the best job in the world. Tonight is bittersweet because I feel like I can do more, but I know that at some point it has to come to an end. Oh my gosh, when the alumni came back, my whole life flashed from when I had hair, and I didn’t have wrinkles, but all the memories just came flooding back.”

I would like to say mahalo to Mr. Paragoso and his amazing ind very talented Na Keiki ‘O Manana performers for always being there when invited by me and the Pearl City Community Association to perform at community events through the years. Year after year, their performances have brought down the house while inspiring those in attendance to live through the beauty of music and words that the children’s voices deliver deep into our hearts.

Mr. Paragoso will be truly missed, but his legacy will always live and thrive in the memories, hearts, and success of his students as they pass on the gift of music and lessons of life that he has taught them through the sounds and emotions of their voices and the songs they sing.

PC Heart & Soul…