The Honolulu Boy Choir, a fixture in the community that built a worldwide reputation for its "voices of aloha," was on the brink of dissolution for the second time in as many years. But supporters are rallying again.

The choir plans a free Christmas performance Dec. 21 at Central Union Church, and new players are working to give the three-decades-old group hope for survival.

Membership fell to 11 boys during the spring, and there are now just 25 boys on the roster — one-third the count from the 75-plus roles maintained during the reign of its late director-founder, Roy Hallman, who died April 19.

Membership, and annual costs to run the organization, were issues in the spring of 2006, when the Boy Choir's organizers announced plans to disband the group.

However, with the return of former executive director Blake M. Nuibe — new CEO and chairman of the choir's board of directors — there's a flicker of hope. Nuibe's return has the blessings of Hallman's widow, Nyle, longtime accompanist for the choir.

Nuibe succeeded founder Hallman as executive director of the choir after Hallman's retirement, but left in 2001 because of family and business commitments. Nuibe is an insurance agent and a past president of the Hawai'i State Association of Life Underwriters.

Since Nuibe's departure in 2001, the organization has gone through three board chairmen, five executive directors, four choral directors and four accompanists.

One of Nuibe's efforts has been to restore the choir's traditional holiday singfest, Dec. 21 at Central Union Church, which was once the hub of Boy Choir festivities.

A private, smaller choir show will be staged Sunday for kupuna at Lunalilo Home in Hawai'i Kai.

"My immediate goal is to stabilize and grow the once vibrant organization set forth by Roy and Nyle Hallman," said Nuibe, who has been seeking supporters with plans to resume more visibility for the choir, adding concerts, and even possible tours, as in the choir's glory days.

To restore the choir's energy and reputation, Nuibe has tapped community resources to rebuild. Among the recruits: Marlene Sai, treasurer; Carlson Mun, secretary; and Neva Rego, Lincoln Jacobe, Blaine Kiyuna and Maj. Gen. Darryl Wong, board members.

"We'll begin aggressive recruiting in January for our spring session," said Nuibe, who acknowledged concern about the thinning roster. "This is an all-time low."

The rebuilding won't happen overnight, Nuibe said. To help in the effort, the choir plans to add a new choral director, whose name will be released soon.

Despite a $150,000 contract from the state Department of Human Services, awarded in September 2006 to help the choir with operations, the group has been on the brink of disbanding in recent weeks.

Toni Schwartz, media director for DHS, said the choir was awarded a two-year contract under the auspices of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which supports services for at-risk youth.

A second year of funding, at $150,000, should be available to the choir for reorganizational efforts, Schwartz said.

Schwartz said DHS does not monitor the contract organizations' membership numbers during the span of the contract.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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