Hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the band in a Waikiki picture-postcard backdrop. Clear blue skies shone over the bandstand while a cool breeze bobbed the branches of monkeypod and ironwood trees that frame the structure.

Laura Lam of Kaimuki said she usually goes to the band's concerts about four times a year. She enjoys the mix of music, from classical Hawaiian to Strauss. And she wonders what the future will be like without Mahi. "Be sorry to see him go," she said.

Yesterday, the 35-member band played a fairly typical mix of favorites in its regular Sunday concert, including "Kamehameha March Medley," Franz Von Suppe's "Beautiful Galatea," Rodgers & Hart's seasonal favorite "My Funny Valentine" and John K. Almeida's "Rocking Chair Hula."

Prominent kumu hula Leilani Alama, who still runs her dance studio in Kaimuki, said she had to attend Mahi's last performance. "I started to tear; he's such a wonderful man. He's personality plus," she said.

The Royal Hawaiian Band's traditional closer, "Aloha 'Oe," took on extra meaning yesterday at Aaron Mahi's final performance with the band. Pearl City High School band teacher Michael Nakasone will replace him. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Alama said she was shocked that Hannemann let Mahi go. "I voted for him," she said. "But right now, I wish I didn't."

She added: "I feel that it's wrong to do this to this beautiful man."

Alama and her sister, Puanani, are well known in Hawaiian music. During the 1940s, '50s and '60s, the sisters often performed with Genoa Keawe.

Vivian Burr, 78, of Calgary, Alberta, has spent two or three months of each year in Hawai'i for the past 18 years. When she's here, she keeps busy, volunteering, square dancing and enjoying the Royal Hawaiian Band.

She proudly wore a "Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band" T-shirt to the performance and shook her head in sadness over Mahi's departure. "With another bandmaster, it will not be the Royal Hawaiian Band," she said.

What will she miss? "His manners, his kindness — he has so much compassion," Burr said.

She was joined by many Canadians at the performance. When emcee Ed Michelman asked how many in the crowd hail from Canada, nearly half of the audience members raised their hands.

By the end of the performance, Mahi thanked everyone, in English and in fluent Hawaiian: the band members, the Friends group and the audience. "The musicians behind me are wonderful musicians," he said. He urged the crowd to support the band under a new master, longtime Pearl City High School band teacher Michael Nakasone. "He's a fine musician and a fine conductor."

Mahi, who hasn't decided what he'll do next, said he feels good about his career with the band. "I spent half my lifetime with them," he said. "It's a great moment for me. A lot of people ask if it's a sad moment, but no, I think it's a time that has come."

Looking back, he said it was an honor to lead the historic band. "It was a wonderful way that I could serve my Hawai'i," Mahi said.

About a dozen of Mahi's classmates from high school — Kamehameha '71 — came out to support their old friend. Roy Spencer said the school friends don't show up every Sunday for the concerts in the park but they wanted to make sure they gave him a proper send-off.

Spencer said Mahi was always clear on a career in music and always has time to help others by "sharing his mana'o for history, for music, for living."

The band ended the concert with the traditional "Aloha 'Oe." Only this time the words held special meaning to many of those gathered. "One fond embrace, a ho'i a'e au (before I now depart); until we meet again."