Henry Kapono, Robi Kahakalau to Perform at the MACC

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center continues its Artist 2 Artist concert series hosted by Henry Kapono on Friday, February 1, 2019 with special guest Robi Kahakalau. The night will involve a combination of talk-story, individual performances by the artists, followed by a combined jam session. The series takes place in the intimate McCoy Studio Theater, allowing audiences an up close and personal experience with the artists. Showtime is at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale to MACC members Friday, Dec. 21 and to the general public on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018.

Henry Kapono is a performer who has it all – vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, composer, thrilling performer, audience favorite—and multiple honors and awards, including a Grammy nomination. He has taken home numerous Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album & Rock Album of the Year. Henry has been at the creative forefront of contemporary Hawaiian music throughout his career – from the very successful duo of Cecilio & Kapono in the 1970s and 80s, to launching his solo career that produced 17 albums, to his groundbreaking Wild Hawaiian collaborations that fused the power of Hawaiian traditions with driving rock rhythms and a soundtrack for the new century.

Robi Kahakalau, or as many call her, “Sistah Robi”, is considered one of Hawai`i’s most popular entertainers. She haswon multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and her distinctive voice, creative energy, as well as mastery of seven languages (one of them being Hawaiian) puts her in a class of her own. She mixes the sounds of her native islands with elements of reggae, pop, folk, and rock balladry, plus the occasional touch of jazz and R&B. Kahakalau began her own musical career in earnest in 1990, when she joined the Hawaiian Style Band and sang lead on their two highly acclaimed albums, 1992’s Vanishing Treasures and 1994’s Rhythm of the Ocean. She began her solo career with 1995’s Sistah Robi, which made her a star in Hawai‘i and won several awards. The follow-up, Keiki O Ka’Aima, appeared in 1997 and solidified her status as Hawai‘i’s female vocal sweetheart. Kahakalau put her singing career on hold for a few years, as she became an associate professor of Hawaiian language and studies at the University of Hawai‘i. She returned in 2000 with All I Want, an album that blended her sister Ku’s Hawaiian originals with covers of Bob Marley, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks, and Tracy Chapman. Today, she continues to perform, tour and collaborate with a number of other artists.

Tickets per show are $35, $45, $65 plus applicable fees. The MACC Box Office is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for window and phone sales and individual show tickets are available anytime online.