Serious safety concerns over recent terrorist attacks and subsequent travel warnings have prompted ‘Iolani School to cancel musical performances planned over the Christmas holiday in Rome and New York City.
A group of more than 120 students, parents and faculty chaperones with the school’s upper-class orchestra and hula halau planned to go on the trip, which was to include performances near Times Square and at two churches in Rome.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in Rome during the holidays. It’s just a real shame that the world is in the shape that it’s in.”
Tim Cottrell
Head of school, ‘Iolani School |
“For reasons of safety and precaution, we do not believe that ‘Iolani should sponsor a group function in New York City or Rome at a known location and time over the holidays,” Head of School Tim Cottrell said in an email to families earlier this week. “We understand how disappointing this is to all involved and to our entire ‘Iolani community, which wholeheartedly supports all of our outstanding performing arts students.”
In a phone interview Wednesday, Cottrell added, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in Rome during the holidays. It’s just a real shame that the world is in the shape that it’s in.”
He said the school began re-evaluating the trip after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. A few days later, a news report cited a warning from the FBI about possible terror strikes at historic monuments in Italy at the Vatican, Rome and Milan. Then came a worldwide travel alert issued by the U.S. Department of State, warning travelers of “increased terrorist threats” from the Islamic State group, al-Qaida and other groups.
“These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and nonconventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests,” the department said in the alert that expires in February. “Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. … U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events.”
“All of that added up,” Cottrell said. “We would be creating the situation that they were warning us against: 60 American kids in the second-largest basilica in Rome on Christmas Day. There would be something like seven cardinals from the Vatican at a known time and a known location.”
Because travel arrangements were made directly between families and a travel agency, the school couldn’t cancel the actual trips. It canceled the school-sponsored performances, meaning families could still take the trips on their own. But with the travel dates in a couple of weeks, there’s little possibility of refunds for those who choose not to go.
“This puts families in a predicament. It was expensive,” Cottrell said.
The school has decided to cover the airline change fee — a $300 value — so that families can use the airfare for other travel, he said. ‘Iolani, which charges $20,900 in tuition, also plans to help families cover the cost of other trip expenses. Sixty students and 59 parents or siblings were initially scheduled to go.
“We’ve set aside a pool of money to divide among families — from half of their extra expenses outside the airline ticket if everyone decides not to go, to the full amount. It’ll depend on how many decide to still go,” Cottrell said. “The school’s position is — this is not a precedent for canceling trips — these are extraordinary circumstances. We feel that since we believe that Rome is an unsafe place to go, we want to make sure parents still have a choice. It’s something exceptional we’re trying to do so it doesn’t put families in a difficult position financially.”
Kristin Miyagi, a sophomore who dances for the school’s halau, said her family doesn’t plan to take the trip.
“At first I was disappointed … however, I’m very appreciative that ‘Iolani supports its students and values safety first,” she said, adding that she plans to spend Christmas at home with her family and is looking forward to dancing in the school’s holiday concert on Tuesday. “Hopefully another opportunity will come up.”
The school’s performance arts groups generally travel abroad every other year.
