Aaron Mahi

The announcement, made by Hannemann before a holiday concert for patients at the Kuakini Medical Center, was met by a smattering of applause by band members.

About 75 percent of the band had signed a letter to Hannemann stating they would support a decision to remove Mahi, who has headed the 168-year-old band since 1980.

The band members cited lingering administrative issues and concerns about the troupe's musical direction for their position.

Hannemann did not comment on the band's internal strife but urged them to stay in harmony.

"I want a smooth transition," Hannemann told band members while Mahi stood next to him with his head bowed.

He told members to continue in a professional manner and to "not let distraction get in the way."

After the meeting, Hannemann said he appreciated Mahi's years of service. "It's not about Aaron," he said, adding it's the mayor's prerogative to pick his own cabinet members. "It's just a general feeling there should be a change of direction in every department."

Mahi has acknowledged issues raised by his detractors but said previously he believed he had taken satisfactory steps to meet their concerns over the years.

The job of band master pays an annual salary of nearly $100,000. The band was founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III and is the only full-time municipal band in the country.

Some band members say that in recent years under Mahi's leadership, the group has been wracked by questionable administrative policies, labor disputes and a rut in musical direction.

A petition telling Hannemann they would support replacing Mahi and assistant band administrator Wayne Oshima was signed by 25 of the 34 full-time band members, according to Eric Kop, a French-horn player and one of three union shop stewards. According to the petition: "Under the current leadership, the Royal Hawaiian Band has experienced decades of inconsistent labor practices, arbitrary policies and lack of accountability."

Kop, who has been with the band for 16 years, said he and other members question why the group has played for special interests when it should focus more on community service. Kop said that concerns about Mahi's leadership have been mounting but "the reason why the band has not come forward up until this time is because of the fear of retaliation."

Mahi said requests for performances are handled by the mayor's office and that all requests are accepted provided the band is available. The band plays for nonprofit groups for free but charges for for-profit requests.

Todd Yukumoto, a saxophone player with the band full time for four years and also a shop steward, said one example of administrative foot-dragging had to deal with concerns raised about exposure to the sun. Band members had to argue for nearly a decade before they were allowed to wear hats to protect themselves from the sun, Yukumoto said.

Mahi said besides giving band members the option to wear hats, "I do as much as I can to find the shade." But band members, he said, should also be realistic and recognize that marching bands perform outdoors.

Oshima, a saxophonist and assistant administrator since 1997, said he and Mahi have made administrative decisions by the book and consulted both city attorneys and human-resources officials before taking action. Many of the allegations by Mahi's opponents that were part of an e-mail sent to Hannemann are untrue and can be refuted, he said.