Grant K. Okamura

Lecturer in Music, Orchestra

Professor of Music, emeritus
Director of Bands (1985–2009)


Grant Okamura was director of bands from 1985–2009 and is now professor emeritus at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Mr. Okamura’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa performance at the 1996 College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division Convention and the 1994 American Bandmasters Association elicited many letters regarding their outstanding performances. In 1993, his Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the World Association of School Band Ensembles in Valencia and the Coups de Vents band festival in France.

Mr. Okamura conducts the Oahu Civic Orchestra, and has served as Assistant Conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. He has also formed and conducted the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, an ensemble comprised of musicians of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He served as the music director of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony between 1979 and 1985. He has served as guest conductor at the Oregon State University, the Illinois State University, the University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra, and most recently the Florida State Wind Ensemble.

Okamura is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 1994, he hosted a joint convention of the American Bandmasters Association and Japan Band Directors Association in Hawai‘i. He is an active member of the Oahu Band Directors Association (President, 1996–97), Hawai‘i Music Educators Association (President, 1988–90), College Band Directors National Association, Hawai‘i Band Directors Association, and the Music Educators National Conference.