HALAWA — More than 350 teenagers from across the islands are banding together to show off their marching and music skills at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year's Day.

For the third time in six years, band directors from private and public high schools on all islands have created a Hawai'i all-state band to enter prestigious events on the Mainland. It's an opportunity for students from small schools to march in parades that allow only bands of 200 or more members.

Assembling the band is no easy feat given the number of teens involved, some from rival schools and with varying skill levels. But the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity isn't lost on these youths as they focus and hone their skills in a few short months.

"The main thing is to just get along and not get into any drama," said Danilo Valera Jr., a senior at Kapolei High School. Meeting new people with different ability levels and varying personalities and then trying to become a marching unit is everyone's goal — and the band is almost there, Valera said during practice Monday morning in the Aloha Stadium parking lot.

"We're getting there, to the point where we're almost thinking like one," he said.

The third Hawai'i All-State Marching Band Na Koa Ali'i formed in July, practicing once a week during the summer and once a month since schools opened in September. Neighbor Island schools practice on their own but the all-state band director, Michael Payton from Kahuku High & Intermediate School, has traveled each month to those islands to train the marchers.

This will be the second time the all-state band has been invited to march in the Rose Parade. The first time was in 2003, when it was formed for the first time.

The challenge is to build cohesiveness no matter which school the students come from or their ability to play and march, said Kapolei High School band director Daryl Agena, adding that some students had never marched before.

In the beginning the students were excited about the trip and about visiting the amusement parks, he said. But they now realize they will be performing on television, watched by millions.

"The kids' mentality and attitude has changed since the start," Agena said. "Now they realize that, OK, this trip is performance-based and the play time comes after."

To be invited back for a second appearance is unusual because there are so many bands competing for a slot. The Hawai'i band also learned it will be the 14th unit in the parade, a position of honor because it's close to the front, Agena said.

Angelica Ragasa, a senior at Kapolei, said the marchers are improving, responding quickly to corrections and having a keener sense of unity. Yet the emotional roller coaster remains, with periods of confidence, dread, happiness and fear, Ragasa said.

"I'm most concerned about keeping the music together," she said, adding that while she likes parades she is more excited about the Bandfest show at Pasadena City College, where all the bands in the parade perform.

"Most of us were part of the (band) competition in November," Ragasa said. "We like performing in front of a huge crowd."

The band will have several opportunities to perform before the parade. They are scheduled to march at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and the Bandfest, said John Riggle, managing director of the band and the Kamehameha Schools band director.

All-state band participants were nominated by their school's band director, Riggle said. Some students had to drop out for economic reasons, but most were able to raise the necessary funds and many will be joined by family as well.

"Every time, it's a whole different group," he said. "You see them less. You practice. You do the gig and then it's over. You're friends for life but you never perform together again."