This new series, season 5 of Henry Kapono’s Artist 2 Artist concert series, turns back the clock to a much simpler time in the islands as part of the “Hawaiian Renaissance,” the seminal movement in Hawai‛i’s cultural history that brought language, music, hula, art, and all aspects of Hawaiian culture back to their central place in the life of the Islands. Henry welcomes his special guests each night who will offer a combination of talk-story deconstructing their career and giving the audience insight into the spirit and aspirations of the person behind the music and all followed by a live jam session. 

 

Host Henry Kapono rose to immense popularity with the phenomenon of Cecilio & Kapono (aka C&K) as half of the duo with Cecilio Rodriguez. They helped forge the sound of ‘70s Island music, with laid-back contemporary rock that voiced the feelings of an entire generation in Hawai‛i. Native Hawaiian Kapono is a Grammy-nominated, multiple award-winning singer and songwriter and the winner of 20 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. He was honored with two awards in 2021: peer-voted Best Contemporary Album of the Year and, by public vote, Favorite Entertainer of the Year.




Ledward “Led” Kaapana, like so many Hawaiians, grew up in a musical family. Chief among his teachers were his mother, Mama Tina Kaapana, and his uncle Fred Punahoa. As a teenager, Led started with the trio, Hui Ohana, now legendary among Hawaiian musicians, and later formed the trio Ikona, leading to multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Led’s mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend. He has worked with Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and many other Nashville notables. Back at home, he has shared his talents on recordings with most of Hawaii’s top talents, including Aunty Genoa Keawe, Barney Isaacs, The Ho`opi`i Brothers, Melveen Leed, the Pahinui Brothers, Amy Hānaialiʻi, and countless others. He has been thrilling audiences for more than 40 years. With his easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of “Led Heads” from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawai`i. Recognition by his peers earned Led 4 Grammy nominations in his own right, two wins on slack-key compilations, and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.


Food and beverages will be available for purchase starting at 6:00pm in the Yokouchi Pavilion. See menu HERE.