February 10, 2009
Punahou School - Oahu, Hawaii
Jake’s good high school friend, Joshua Hayashi, requested Jake to visit Punahou School to share his wisdom and music to the children. Joshua is the chaplain at Punahou and had Jake join their morning assembly. They opened the chapel by singing “We Are a Rainbow” and Jake joined in the song even though he had never played it before. Joshua gave him a especially warm introduction and recognized how Jake has the ability to share his heart through music to the community.
Jake first gave a short background of his musical career beginnings. Then opened with his Latin inspired piece, “Let’s Dance”. Following, Joshua had a short interview with Jake. Jake encouraged everyone to always appreciate everything you have and no matter how bad things seem because there is always someone out there that has it worse off than you. People always ask for things for only themselves, but he warned them not ask for things solely for themselves, but they should wish it upon every single person. And once they start thinking in this mentality, something changes in their heart and they will go out and do wonderful things for the world.
Jake showed the kids his favorite book, “The Giving Tree”. When he was younger, Jake would get upset with the boy who would constantly take and take and never gave anything back. But as Jake got older, his focus switched to the tree who became his hero because it unconditionally gave and gave without expecting anything in return. People are always expecting something in return when they do something for another person. But Jake told the kids that they should do things because it is the right thing to do, not for a thank you or reward because the real reward is knowing that you yourself did the right thing.
Jake then played “Piano-Forte” which sounded stunning in the chapel’s echo. Jake advised the students to give because there is something magical about giving and to always be of service. Everyone finished the gathering by sending Jake off with the song “May The Road Rise to Greet You” since Jake is always on the road with his tour. A big mahalo to Joshua for organizing this event.
Please check out the video summary of this event.
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