HONOLULU -- The Honolulu Symphony is fighting for its life. Symphony executives say that unless they raise a minimum of $2 million by September, the symphony could go out of business.

The symphony featured its musicians at special fair on Saturday, hoping to raise awareness about how much they mean to the community.

Honolulu Symphony concertmaster Iggy Jang jamming with ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro was one of the treats at the Honolulu Symphony Fair.

Kids loved the "petting zoo" were children could try playing symphony instruments.

"I think it is a great experience, testing out all the instruments, seeing all the instruments and stuff," symphony fair participant Kainalu Kolivas said.

Many are concerned about the Honolulu Symphony's future.

"I think it would be nice for my daughter to be able to go to the symphony and hear the musicians and learn about music first-hand," parent Laura Reifsteck said.

Last month the symphony started a three-year fund drive, but it needs to come up with $2 million by September.

"The condition is very serious and it needs to be addressed or there is a significant possibility if not probability that the season will be in jeopardy," symphony director Tom Gulick said.

Symphony musicians are owed 14 weeks back pay. Four veteran musicians have quit. Others struggle to survive.

"We have to dip into the savings a bit and I have a home equity line of credit," symphony violinist Duane White said.

What the symphony wants to make clear is that it is not just about rich people attending concerts with their friends. Members said they wanted to stress that the symphony is of great value to everyone in the community, especially young people.

Saturday was an attempt to reach out to a broader public to make it aware of what it could lose without its continuing financial support.