PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Hawai'i All-State Marching Band — whose 380 performers are staying in Parsippany during the last leg of a one-week tour of Washington, Philadelphia and New York — was cold but unfazed by the 32-degree temperature during yesterday's three-hour rehearsal in a hotel parking lot.

"It's super, super, super, super cold out here," said Susie Shin, one of the band's banner holders. Shin, like most of the band members, was wearing three layers of clothes as the band practiced. The freezing conditions made for good preparation for today's performance, with temperatures expected to be in the low 40s with wind, snow and rain.

Taking part in today's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, while the culmination of their journey, will not be the only enduring memory band members take home. Students and their chaperons hailing from the Big Island, Kaua'i, Maui and O'ahu have made many new friends and discovered new experiences.

"I love the squirrels. The squirrels are the best," said Adrie Yonashiro, 16, also a banner holder.

Shin, 17, was astonished by the skies. "I thought there'd be no sun. I thought the sun would be blocked by clouds," Shin said.

Yonashiro, a junior at Punahou School, also marveled at leaves changing color, commenting that the change of seasons isn't something Hawai'i's tropical climate offers.

"It's just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many band members," said Raynette Taketa, whose 16-year-old daughter, Brittney, plays the flute.

Throughout their journey, band members shared aspects of their culture with new friends.

After rehearsing, the contingent boarded buses for a Manhattan tour, including a stop at the World Trade Center site.

Jackie Fuentes, whose daughter is a dancer, brought an orchid lei that she planned to leave near the site in tribute.

"Most of us had never been out here before," Fuentes said.

Each student raised about $2,500 to pay for the trip, the 4-year-old marching band's first to the Macy's parade.

The Hawai'i band arrived at Reagan National Airport last weekend and toured the U.S. Capitol building.

When students saw the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, they were impressed by its historical significance — but were equally excited to recognize the surroundings from a movie, "National Treasure."

Brittney Taketa, a junior at Hilo High School, said she was thrilled to eat an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich.

In Washington, Philadelphia and New York, students were taken aback by all the security checkpoints and how so many places they visited, such as botanical gardens, did not charge admission fees. "I'm wondering how they make a profit," said Shin, a senior at Kapolei High School.

Among the pleasant surprises — "there's not much rubbish," Shin said.

ON THE OTHER HAND ...

"The people are kind of rude sometimes. They push you. Then they move," Yonashiro said.