Its master works and pop concerts are a staple of culture in the islands. The orchestra also offers outreach education programs for school children.

Just Thursday, 1,100 keiki performed with the musicians in the concert hall and new maestro Andreas Delfs likes what he's found here.

"Honolulu symphony is a real treasure. I've spent my first year here now and my hopes to start working with an excellent symphony orchestra that really is on par with all major American orchestras these hopes have been fulfilled," said Delfs.

But how long can the orchestra continue without paying its musicians?

"I can only give the greatest praise possible to our musicians for continuing to perform and continuing to work with us," said Jeff Minter, Chairman of Symphony Board.

"The musicians are gonna need some assurances from us that we're gonna catch up in this pay and that we're not gonna be in a similar situation next year. Otherwise, some may not return, and once momentum shifts to people leaving, it's gonna be very hard to bring them back," said Executive Director, Tom Gulick.

It's ironic that as the symphony keeps getting better musically, its financial condition has gotten worse.

"At a time when things are moving up artistically and there's a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, it would be a terrible shame to lose that or to lose the momentum we're building because of financial issues," said symphony supporter Gary Merola.

Executive director Gulick said the current crisis is not an insurmountable problem if everyone who cares steps forward with donations.

The orchestra's annual fund raising ball is on Saturday, May 17.

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