“ELUA”...”Kalapana” (Part 7)

Well, what you do after a shockIng $.66 pay day for the first BIG concert of your life? For one, pay attention, distance yourself from the people who you screwed you and move on. We knew we had what it takes to continue and nothing was gonna stop us. 

Let me back up a little to Kalapana. A great band with exceptional talent. Before the BIG concert at the Shell the people, friends at the time, asked me that they wanted to put they’re own group together cuz we were so successful and they wanted to keep the music rolling. So we went head hunting and it just so happened that everybody at the time hung out in Waimanalo. I knew Mackey Feary, we jammed together at Chucky Souza’s house. Those were stoney days, but the music was pouring out of there like a river. There was Gabby Pahinui and sons, Country Comfort, Olomana, Bla Pahinui and more. It was our country and we were living it. Well, Mackey was playing at Chuck Steak House in Hawaii Kai and I introduced them to Mackey. They knew nothing about music, but trusted my opinion, but they liked what they saw. Mackey had this amazing guitarist playing with him at the time and I told the guys that I thought he would be a great addition...the mind blowing guitarist, DJ Pratt. That same night friend of mine told me there’s this guy up at the Spaghetti joint next door that’s really special. We went there and saw the late Malani Bilyeu. I was totally impressed and saw that these guys were a perfect fit.... The group “Kalapana” was firmed and was to go on to be one of Hawaii Super Groups. Kirk Thompson joined them later and completed the group and they’re sound. I love those guys and we spent a lot of good times together. Unfortunately they got screwed by the same people. But like us they continued to play along and record some great albums of Classic Kalapana songs. “Live and learn.”

I apologize, I got side tracked, but I feel it’s important that you know those guys called, “Kalapana!!!” They made some great music. We were ROCKING the islands. With all that said, I’m gonna continue with ELUA next TBT. I hope you’re cool with that.

Have an “Aloha” day!!!