Barry Flanagan and Kapono Na‘ili‘ili, better known as the beautiful, contemporary Hawaiian music band, HAPA, take the stage Sunday at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. Frequently described as hypnotic, liquid guitar blended with heavenly harmonies and lyrical bliss that captures the heart and soul of Hawaii.
Barry Flanagan, founder of HAPA, was passionately drawn to Hawaii and Hawaiian culture amid an extended stay during his college years.
“I moved to Boulder, Colo., to go to CU (University of Colorado), and I heard the music of Gabby Pahinui and fell in love with it,” said Flanagan. “I had the opportunity to come to Hawaii for an extended vacation and fell in love with the place. I formed the group in 1983 and I wanted to learn as much about Hawaii as possible and about the music.”
Flanagan immersed himself in Hawaiian culture and art, seeking out native speakers, teachers and composers of Hawaiian songs, and passionately studying indigenous art forms. In 1983, he formed the musical duo “HAPA,” a Hawaiian word meaning “half” and also used to describe people of mixed Pacific Island ancestry.
In the following 10 years, Flanagan raised $125,000 to write and produce the group’s first album, a self-titled CD that included an impressive line-up of artists including Kenny Loggins and Stephen Stills. Today, that album remains the best selling recording by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music. Sweeping all six categories it was nominated for at the 1994 Hawaii Music Awards.
Flanagan was inspired greatly by the era of the “English invasion.”
“The ‘English invasion,’ the David Clark Five, the Rolling Stones, I think that era of songwriting and musicianship, that cultural revolution of the ’60s, really inspired me to get into music,” said Flanagan. “It was the music of the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel — that was the music that my older sisters were playing in our house. I grew up close to New York City, so I had a lot of different music growing up in my household. To be 18 years old and to be in one of those bands in that era would be pretty amazing.”
The overriding quality of HAPA’s music is one of passion, beauty and serenity, found in the majestic tones of the chant, song, and the exhilarating innovative sounds of virtuoso guitar performances.
Flanagan reminisces about his early days and whom he would most like to share the stage with.
“If I could be on stage with one person, I’d have to go with the most inspiring guitar player that I’ve known in my life, and that’s Paco De Lucia who died a few years ago,” he said. “He was in a trio with John McLaughlin. I think he was the most inspiring and technically brilliant guitar player, and to be on stage with him would really be an amazing thing. When I watch him play guitar, to me, it’s like watching Zeus standing on top of the mountain throwing lightning bolts. Technically, I think he’s the most passionate guitar player that I’ve ever heard or seen play in my life. He’s the most technically brilliant, beautiful, and passionate, and emotional artist.”
HAPA’s music has appeared on countless national TV shows and feature films, and the group was showcased in a PBS documentary hosted by Peter Fonda, who described HAPA as “The music of my Bali Hai.” They are also the first Hawaii Musical act to be given the honor of being introduced and performing as themselves on the television series, “Hawaii 5-0.” An estimated 25 million viewers watched the show and its re-broadcast.
“I love Kahilu Theatre,” said Flanagan. “Almost all of the successful Hawaiian acts are now making most of their money out of the State of Hawaii. First and foremost, thank God that the Big Island is doing this, because Oahu gets the hugest fail for having 900,000 people living there and no one is supporting Hawaiian music in Honolulu anymore. A huge thank you to Maui and the Big Island for these concerts, and to Kahilu for having us. Thank you guys for supporting us, because if I didn’t start touring 23 years ago, I’d probably have to move away from Hawaii, or start doing something else, and not doing what I love doing.”
Tickets are $68/$58/$47/$20 and can be purchased online at www.kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868, or at the Kahilu Theatre Box Office, at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.