Henry Kapono Kaʻaihue is a giant in Hawaiʻi, his music was on the leading edge of the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970ʻs. He opened the door for contemporary local music in the 1970's. With partner, Cecilio Rodrigues, C&K provided the soundtrack for an era. The music still conjures good times in Hawaiʻi for generations of people. I am not licensed to play the music on this podcast, but here’s a link to a broadcast of this interview on Hawai’i Public Radio. I was able to incorporate some music in that version so it’s fun! Not full songs though, due to time constraints. Mahalo, HPR!

It was easy connecting through his wife and partner, Lezlee. Theyʻve got twins, teenagers now at Punahou. Such a pleasure to look at the work. In the C&K discography, Henry’s songs were Friends, Song for Someone, Sunflower, oh heavens, they just let it be beautiful. Highway in the Sun, so many.

Henry’s all about forward momentum. His website, Henry’s House is a fountain of positivity. He has an artist-to-artist program starting this fall. In this interview, Henry recalls how the Hawaiʻi diaspora saved a gig in Palo Alto, and how that led to their Columbia contract. Frank Zappa figures in a great story about how C&K first broke in Honolulu. Over the pandemic, Henry released an acoustic version of his Dylanesque rocker, One Man.

One Man 2020 shows that all Henry’s positivity is a choice. Because in 2022, our eyes are open, we see cruelty, we see suffering, and we see the grind that makes us so unhappy with ourselves and each other. I worry about the pressure on people who choose to live in Hawaiʻi.

We have a lot in common, just committing to live here. Henry’s music is a heartful connector. Dive into the C&K discography for a fun Aloha Friday happy hour, my friends, or dust off that black vinyl. These really are the good times together.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio Aloha Friday Conversation with Henry Kapono of C&K, Kirk Thompson of Kalapana, and Starr Kalahiki of the Liliʻuokalani Project