The Shedd is pleased to welcome Barry Flanagan and Hapa back to the Jaqua Concert Hall! HAPA just celebrated its 30th anniversary. Like the islands themselves, HAPA's music is an amalgam of influences ranging from ancient Polynesian rhythms and genealogical chants to the strummed ballads of Portuguese fisherman and Mexican cowboys, and the inspired melodies and harmonies of the traditional church choirs of the early missionaries. Add a dose of American acoustic folk/rock, and you have what has been described as the “most exciting and beautiful contemporary Hawaiian music the world knows!” (Maui Times) The HAPA name reflects the diverse backgrounds of its musicians and the mix of cultures that converge in Hawai‘i. Barry is joined by Kapono Na‘ili‘ili -- singer, Hawaiian chanter, multi-instrumentalist, hula dancer -- who matches Barry’s embrace of many musical genres. The other performers on this tour are Tarvin Makia on bass and Radasha Ho'ohuli, the hula dancer.
Often described as the “sound of Maui,” HAPA’s music evokes a feeling that many people at different times have referred to as “heavenly”. The overriding quality of HAPA’s music is one of beauty and serenity, found in the majestic tones of the ‘oli (chant), mele (song), at the elegant movements of the spiritual dance known as hula, and the exhilarating innovative sounds of the virtuoso slack key guitar. Founded in 1983, HAPA played over 500 live shows per year before releasing its benchmark self-entitled first recording in 1993, which still remains the number one selling recording by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music; it swept all six categories for which it was nominated at the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy’s. Most recently HAPA captured 4 Na Hoku Awards for its Maui CD.