SLACKING OFF -------------------------------------------

Slacking OffBarry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau share the spotlight with other artists with this beautifully produced compilation, “It’s a Slack Key World.” On some tracks they play together, on others as soloists. There are also collaborations with guest artists such as Gaylord Holomalia or Ernie Cruz Jr. , and several tracks where the duo steps aside entirely -- Imua Garza takes over on "Kaua'i Beauty," and it's Shawn Ishimoto soloing on "Kamalani O Keaukaha."

1. It's a Slack Key World (Gaylord Holomalia, Orama Brault, HAPA)
2. Mele Pau ‘Ole (Pat Simmons, Pat Simmons, Jr., HAPA)
3. Ke ‘Ala Hou (Ernie Cruz, Jr., HAPA)
4. Ka Ipo Lei Manu (HAPA)
5. Kaua‘i Beauty (Imua Garza)
6. Stars in the Morning Sky (HAPA)
7. Kamalani O Keokaha (Shawn Ishimoto)
8. Your Smiling Face (Nathan Aweau)
9. Nani Polipoli (Barry Flanagan)
10. Slack Key World #2 (Gaylord Holomalia, HAPA)
11. Kalena Kai (Barry Flanagan)
12. Justin's Lullabye (Live at Sand Island) - HAPA

 

HAPA - MAUI ----------------------------------------------

buy HAPA's newest cd HAPA MAUIThe long awaited release from one of the most powerful and innovative acts in Hawaiian Music. HAPA’s offering MAUI introduces the new line up of Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau. MAUI, with its brilliant artistry, musicianship and creativity, reaffirms HAPA’s continued place among the giants of Hawaiian music. Presented in a package that in itself is a work of art, MAUI is a collection of vocals and instrumentals that showcases the flawless singing and innovative and exciting bass playing of Aweau and the award winning composition and virtuoso guitar styling of Barry Flanagan.

MAUI is first and foremost a Hawaiian CD featuring three new original Hawaiian language songs, Lei Manoa, Mo'i O Lili'u and I Ka La`i O Lahaina. Additionally, the Hawaiian chant of Charles Ka`upu is featured throughout. The concept of MAUI, the CD, is represented by the legendary Hawaiian demi-god Maui as the personification of bringing Polynesian culture together. Here HAPA fuses Hawaiian music with the influences of other Polynesian cultures. Along with Hawaiian ballads, up tempo songs and Hawaiian chant can be found selections in Tahitian and Tokelau. Along with classic slack key can be heard influences of other Island music. HAPA goes further, acknowledging the influence of modern culture on Polynesia by blending jazz, blues and even slam poetry influences into their Hawaiian based music.

"Because CD sales in general are down, many artists are retreating by trying to spend less on their projects,” said Flanagan. “We were committed to spending whatever it took to produce a project of the highest quality. We believe that as an artist we are now challenged to deliver a product worthy of people spending their money. We must produce a recording people will feel compelled to own and one that they must buy. I believe we’ve approached that with MAUI.”

Designed by award winning graphic designer Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design, the CD is ensconced in a 12 panel digi-pack that unfolds to reveal a Solomon Enos original painting of Maui reeling in all the Hawaiian Islands along with those of Tahiti and the Marquesas. Included in the package is a 12 page booklet that includes lyrics, anecdotes and insights to the recording. “If this was a book you’d want it on your coffee table,” quipped Aweau. “We decided to make a CD that was a total experience. One that transported you and that you could experience on many levels. This is good music but it’s much more, it’s art, mythology, history, philosophy and hopefully so much more in what the listener will bring to it.”

1. Haleakalä (lyrics)
2. Twinkletoes
3. Papa Ë (lyrics)
4. Slacking Off
5. Lei Mänoa (lyrics)
6. Tahiti Manahune (lyrics)
7. Redemption Song (lyrics)
8. Mö‘ï ‘O Lili‘u (lyrics)
9. Paniolo ‘Ona Slack-Key
10. I Ka La‘i O Lähainä (lyrics)
11. Kealoha Bebop w/Charlie
12. Hei Iti Vaihi (lyrics)

 

NAMAHANA ------------------------------------------------

buy the cd NAMAHANA composed by HAPAHAPA returns to Hawaii roots with an evocative compilation of Island sounds, laden with ki ho'alu (slack-key guitar), rich with vocal and instrumental dynamics... Namahana is HAPA at its hottest."
--Wayne Harada, Honolulu Advertiser

In their 1999 release, "Namahana", HAPA once again shows why they have been called the most imaginative and ambitious music group in Hawaii. Namahana features the kind of original vocal and instrumental arrangements that have wowed audiences from Honolulu to San Francisco, and New York to Japan.

" Our goal with every new record is to build upon our musical and lyrical identity, to stretch our creative boundaries while staying true to the universal message of aloha," says HAPA's lead guitarist and songwriter Barry Flanagan. Flanagan has been widely regarded as one of the true innovaters in contemporary world music. Namahana delivers sensuous symphonic overlays, ullian pipe and tin whistle, deft guitar work and soaring vocals -- this is HAPA at their shining best!

Says Flanagan, "We show that music can transcend nationality. That's a very powerful message, and one that people seem to want to hear."

1. Pu'uanahulu (lyrics)
2. Stars in the Morning Sky
3. E O Mai Ku'u Milimili (lyrics)
4. Emme's Island Moments Theme
5. Pau'ole Ka'i'ini (lyrics)
6. Debra Anne
7. He'eia (lyrics)
8. Cavatina
9. Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u (lyrics)
10. Aloha Namahana (lyrics)

 

IN THE NAME OF LOVE -----------------------------------

buy the cd In the Name of Love composed by HAPA"On all fronts music, performance, packaging HAPA's third album, In the Name of Love is a triumph."
--Wayne Harada, Honolulu Advertiser

"Complex, sophisticated and flawlessly conceived and engineered, In the Name of Love is as elaborate and visceral as today's Hawaii."
--Susan Dixon, Kauai Times

" One of the year's best albums."
--John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

In the Name of Love stretches the boundaries of world music. HAPA's velvet harmonies and liquid guitars are still here. Add to that ancient Hawaiian chants, finger cymbals and electric sitars, rock drums and a guest appearance by the legendary Don Ho. This is not just a Hawaiian act; it is truly an international one with a message the world is hungry for.

(1997, Coconut Grove Recording Company, CG 8197-2)

1. E Hele Ana E (lyrics)
2. Pahinui Aloha
3. Nani Wale o Ka'iulani (lyrics)
4. Lelehuna (lyrics)
5. Europa
6. Manoa, In The Rain (lyrics)
7. Mele a Paku'i/Ho'okumu
8. Pride (In The Name Of Love) (lyrics)
9. Kahea U'ilani
10. Waikiki (at about 3...)
11. Waikiki Beachboy Song
12. Sleepwalk

 

HAPA ------------------------------------------------------

buy the cd HAPAOne of Hawaii's true landmark recordings, HAPA's 1993 award-winning debut blends lush harmonies, enchanting Hawaiian compositions and galactic guitar-based instrumentals.

Critically acclaimed, HAPA captured all six Na Hoku Hanohano (Hawaii's Grammys) awards for which it was nominated, including Group of the Year, Most Promising Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year, Song of the Year for "Lei Pikake" and Single of the Year for "Ku'ulei, Ku'uipo."

1. Haleakala Ku Hanohano (lyrics)
2. Kaopuiki Aloha
3. Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai (lyrics)
4. Anjuli
5. Lei Pikake (lyrics)
6. Olinda Road
7. Ku'u Lei, Ku'uipo (lyrics)
8. Justin's Lullabye
9. Ku'u Lei Awapuhi (lyrics)
10. Oh My Love

 

SURF MADNESS -------------------------------------------

buy the cd SURF MADNESS composed by HAPA"HAPA’s versions of surf standards "Walk Don’t Run" and "Wipe Out" blister as hot as any lava Pele ever brewed in Kilauea. Surf Madness has mainstream, big-time guts that defies being put into any provincial box. You’ll want to hear more."
--David Dugle, AKA Rusty Pipes, Cosmik Debris

Three short months after releasing In the Name of Love, Flanagan and Kaneali'i are back with an entirely new and different full-length album, "once again ambitious, diverse and imaginative," according to John Berger, music writer for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Berger, who has covered the Hawaiian music scene since 1972, writes: "Flanagan ("Barneldo") and Kaneali'i ("Axel") offer the best take on "Walk Don't Run" since the Ventures' definitive recording in 1960. The Surfaris' 1963 classic, "Wipe Out," is reworked with equal imagination, while HAPA's attack on the "Hawaii Five-0" theme has more guts and impact than the original.

"The ultra-versatile Flanagan proves equally adept composing in the traditional surf guitar style. Will we ever learn the story behind "Nadine Won't Call Me Anymore (Clint's Back in Town ...)" or is it obvious? No local act in memory has dared stretch so far from the sound initially responsible for bringing them mass-market success, let alone do it this well. Axel and Barneldo rule! Right on, HAPA!"
(1997, Coconut Grove Recording Company, CG-8199)

1. Axel & Barneldo Theme
2. Walk Don't Run
3. Have Another Cookie, Larry
4. Blind
5. Gregory Anthony's Tubular Symphony
6. 24 Hours In Manhattan
7. Wipe Out
8. Nadine Won't Call Me Anymore (Clint's Back In Town...)
9. Always With Me, Always With You
10. He'eia
11. Hawai'i Five-0

 

HAPA HOLIDAYS ------------------------------------------

buy the cd HOLIDAY's composed by HAPAA terrific seasonal recording showcasing the velvet smooth vocals of Keli'i Kaneali'i on live performance favorites, "Lady in Red," "House of Gold" and twelve other songs.
1995, Coconut Grove Recording Company, CGRC 8195-2)

1. It's Christmas Day
2. Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuelle (Instrumental)
3. The Christmas Song
4. Kanaka Wai Wai (Instrumental)
5. Ke Ku'ulani
6. Lei Pikake (Instrumental)
7. House Of Gold
8. Joy To The World (Instrumental)
9. (It's Alright) Christmastime Is Here
10. La Rue Des Reves (The Street Of Dreams) (Instrumental)
11. Lady In Red
12. Mele Kalikimaka (Instrumental)
13. Love Is The Reason To Believe
14. Love (Instrumental)

 

HAPA LIVE ------------------------------------------

buy the cd HAPA LIVE
1. Haleakala Ku Hanohano
2. Olinda Road
3. He`eia
4. Kamehameha Aloha
5. Anjuli
6. Ku`u Lei Awapuhi
7. Kaopuiki Aloha
8. Lei Pikake
9. Twinkletoes
10. Lei Manoa

 

HAPA MAUI DVD ------------------------------------------

buy the Hapa Maui - DVD
1. Haleakala
2. Papa E
3. Kamehameha Aloha
4. Olinda Road
5. He`eia
6. Kaopuiki Aloha
7. Lei Manoa
8. Haleakala Ku Hanohano
9. Twinkletoes
10. Redemption Song
11. Mo`i `O Lili`u
12. Lei Pikake
13. Anjuli
14. Ku`u Lei Awapuhi
15. Hei `Iti Vaihi