Hawaiian HAPA Group Heads to Orcas Center Stage

Thursday, February 25 at 7:30 pm with Burgers & Brew before the show at 5:30 pm.

— from Artha Kass —

The HAPA name reflects the diverse backgrounds of its musicians and the mix of cultures that converge in Hawai‘i. Brilliant guitarist Barry Flanagan has been the guiding force of HAPA since its beginnings in 1983. He is joined by Kapono Na‘ili‘ili — singer, Hawaiian chanter, multi-instrumentalist, hula dancer — who matches Barry’s embrace of many musical genres.

Often described as the “sound of Maui,” HAPA’s music evokes a feeling that many people refer to as simply “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, in 2006, HAPA captured 4 Na Hoku Awards for its Maui CD. Television viewers know HAPA music from the hit show Hawaii Five-O.

HAPA Pan Polynesian music is an amalgam of influences ranging from ancient genealogical chants to the strummed ballads of Portuguese fisherman, Spanish cowboys, and the inspired melodies and harmonies of the traditional church choirs of the early missionaries. Add to this 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

“These disparate ingredients blended together musically in the Pacific emotes the unique flavor of what Hawaii and HAPA music is: beautiful, fragile, spiritual, powerful, urgent, compelling, muscular, and hypnotic!” —L.A. Times

Rolling Stone says of HAPA – “Titans of the Genre.”

Dinner & Music: Savor a tasty Burger & Brew from the Lower Tavern in the Madrona Room before the show. $15 at the door/ $10 kids. Vegetarian options too

Tickets for HAPA are $27 for adults, $19 for students, $6 off for Orcas Center members. Tickets may be purchased on the website or by calling 376-2281 ext 1 or visiting the Orcas Center box office during box office hours which are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12- 2 pm. $5 Subsidized Tickets available at the Box Office. For more information about Orcas Center 2016 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.