Yesterday was my 11th trip to the island of Kaua’i to teach an organ lesson. We had eight lessons before the pandemic then had to stop for more than a year because of the quarantine restrictions for inter-island travel. However, since June, you no longer need to take a Covid test or prove your vaccination status, so I make a trip once a month.

I doubt that my student notices, but I always wear an organ-themed T-shirt, and up to now, I try to never wear the same shirt twice, which tells you how many I have! Plus, there are some which I have never worn (or dare to wear!) in public.

Yesterday I wore the “Yes, I speak organ” T-shirt and took the matching bag. I make it a point to bring a few organ books with me, plus my organ shoes. Because the food at the airport is so outrageously expensive (a sandwich costs over $10!), I am a cheapskate and always pack a sandwich and some fruit to eat while I am waiting for my return trip to Honolulu.

My day starts about 4:30 am when I wake up, check email and spend an hour learning Spanish through Duolingo. I am able to earn over 400 XP points before showering, eating breakfast and getting ready to drive to the airport.

The flight to Lihue takes about 40 minutes, including taxiing out and time in the air. It’s usually about 9:15 am when I arrive and am standing on the curb, waiting for an Uber to get to the church.

Unfortunately since the pandemic, Uber drivers are few and far between on Kaua’i. I am able to make a reservation on the return trip from All Saints back to the airport, but no such luck on leaving the airport after my arrival. I have had to resort to taking an expensive taxi ($35) for the 7 mile trip. I have since learned that there are only 15 Uber drivers on the island. As a matter of comparison, an Uber ride is about $28.

Of course, in addition to technique, I have had to teach Hank about organ registration and a little about the history of organ building so that he knows what stops to pull. We have only had three lessons on the Rosales organ—previous lessons were held at the Lihue United Church of Christ while we were awaiting completion of the new Rosales instrument. All of our lessons are two hours long.

Despite Hank’s excuses that he has little time to practice, yesterday I was able to hear that we have definitely turned the corner on his organ playing. It’s always a thrill for me when a student realizes he can figure out the pedaling without my having to write in all the symbols for heel and toe.

I had Hank sight read the pedal part of the “Little” G minor prelude by Krebs/Bach while I played the manual parts. He read and played it perfectly, and instinctively knew which foot to use! But as I always say, playing with your feet is way easier than playing with your hands, because you have ten fingers but you only have two feet!

By the way, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Guild of Organists pays for half of Hank’s lessons. Right now the registration period is open for new applications—the scholarship is worth $1200 over a three year period. You can read all about our scholarship program by clicking here. We have sponsored over 70 organ students since the inception of the scholarship program, founded by member Don Conover.

If you are interested in knowing where I got the organ T-shirt and bag, here’s the link.