Posted on: Wednesday, May 23, 2001

Editorial
No better time than now to help Honolulu Symphony

After years of struggle caused by a declining economy, shifting schedules and labor-management difficulties, the Honolulu Symphony appears to be solidly back on track.

Energized by a new maestro, a forceful board and an appealing variety of programming ranging from the traditional to the popular, the Symphony has seen both attendance and revenue gains in recent years.

And just recently, the Symphony received two pieces of extremely good financial news. The Hawai'i Community Foundation has awarded a three-year, $230,000 grant, which will go a long way toward replacing public funding that has largely disappeared. And an anonymous donor pledges $1million if the Symphony finishes its budget year in the black and raises another $1 million by Dec. 31.

This would give the Symphony a chance to set in motion new efforts toward a larger permanent endowment that would guarantee long life for this important cultural resource.

There is no better time than now to support the Symphony by taking in its concerts or contributing toward what now looks more than ever like a sound financial future.