West coast music from Hawaii…
In 1973, childhood friends, David John (DJ) Pratt and Carl James Malani Bilyeu, auditioned at the Rainbow Villa for the newest popular duo, Cecilio & Kapono. Cecilio & Kapono encouraged them to put a band together. Malani was performing solo at the Oar House in Hawaii Kai and DJ was downstairs at Chuck’s in Sunlight with Kirk Thompson. They got together in DJ’s grandfather’s garage with Bryant Mackey Feary, who was another solo act, at the Oar House. They wrote a few songs, rehearsed, and there was a discussion about the meaning of Kalapana. The literal translation is “sprouting money”. Kirk said the meaning was “beat of the music”, but he wanted “Dove” anyway. DJ thought it meant “Black Sand”, and after a couple of shakes of the head and a few smiles it was agreed, and they emerged as Kalapana, playing their first gig at Chuck’s in Hawaii Kai.
The popularity of Kalapana grew and with farsighted management, they moved on to be the regular band at a new club called, “The Toppe Ada Shoppe” (the current location of Wahlgreen). Within years time, they opened concerts for Earth, Wind & Fire, Batdorf & Rodney, The Moody Blues, Sly & The Family Stone, and Cecilio & Kapono, released their first self-titled album, Kalapana which included, as sidemen: Michael Paulo on sax and flute; and Alvin Fejerang on drums.
The adept and flexible talents of these six musicians set a high standard for the future. The preceding events and the events to follow had such an impact on the Hawaiian music scene, topping all local record charts & having Billboard magazine do a review of their work, inspiring musicians and groups then and to the present day.
The overwhelming success they experienced held through to a three concert event, at the Waikiki Shell, on June 25-27, 1976, where a record 25,000 attended.
In 1977, they took part in selecting the entrants for the “Home Grown” album project which showcased Hawaiian talent.
The next big achievement was to win several Nani Awards, the predecessor to the present day Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. They were nominated for four categories and received “Best Performance by a duo or group”, and “Best Male Vocalist” for Mackey, who had split from the group and joined up with Billy Kaui (Country Comfort).
By this time, the group reorganized to include Randy Aloya, replacing Mackey, ( who, was pursuing a solo career and released two albums: “The Mackey Feary Band” & “From The Heart”), DJ, Malani, Kirk, Michael & Alvin.This re-organized group, now including Kimo Cornwell, formerly with the group Beowolf (and currently with Hiroshima) on keyboards, toured in Japan and released “Kalapana Live In Japan” (Sun Plaza), “Northbound” and “Kalapana Alive at Yokohama”. DJ, as Kalapana, also released “Hold On” and a solo LP “Branded”.
In Hawaii, Mackey & Malani regrouped and recorded “Kalapana Live Reunion” from concert at the Waikiki Shell. The group members interchanged over the next few years while each pursued solo and duo efforts.
Malani released a solo album “Islands” which contained the tune “Molokai Sweet Home”, that has become his signature.
The current configurations of the group consists of: Mackey; Malani; DJ; Kenji Sano, a brilliant bass player from Kobe, Japan & L.A. who is a well respected record producer and studio musician and is responsible for the success of many mainland and Japanese rock groups. His driving bass lines compliment Kalapana’s sound providing a distinct rhythmic edge to the groove; and Gaylord Holomalia who is the keyboard wizard who provides the technical know how reflected in all the current Kalapana releases. As a producer/ recording engineer/ musician, he has worked with some of the best, including Cecilio & Kapono, Olomana, Country Comfort, Marvin Gaye and Japan’s, RC Succession. He’s also received gold and platinum RIAA awards for his work on Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Daylight Again” LP for Atlantic Records.
This grouping has proved to be the most innovative and prolific. The chemistry evolving from these five musicians “retains the best of the old with the tidy, sensible sound of today” (Wayne Harada/Honolulu Advertiser 1986).
1986 marked the start of a wave of album releases starting with “Hurricane”, that exemplifies the new Kalapana style – a hybrid of using pop, folk, country and heady Hawaiian jazz with the latest colorful, contemporary music technology.
They presented the album at a gala album release party at Rascal Discotheque in Waikiki. The invitaions were sent out with singles from the album and roses and T-Shirts at the door. The community had never witnessed such a celebration to release an album before. The event, however, echoed what Kalapana had done almost a decade earlier: leasing the Roxy in LA, sending out invites with pineapples and giving out leis, orchids, and T-Shirts at the door.
The “Hurricane” concert, at the Waikiki Shell, presented them in colorful, stylish suits and new garb from Local Motion. A nostalgic number “Living Without You”, brought them out in white, zoot suit, dinner jackets with large, red velvet bow ties. Kenji, Mackey and Malani danced to new choreography and, even DJ danced….with his guitar, on his famous outstanding solos.
They released “Lava Rock” in 1987, performed with Hiroshima (a LA based fusion band that Kimo had joined), and Anri (of Japan), played at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu, performed in the Philippines to a crowd of 10,000 per night, at two sold-out concerts, toured Japan, the West Coast US, Tahiti, Samoa, Guam, Saipan, and outer islands and taped their first feature length video of the Lava Rock Concert, at the Waikiki Shell. They concerted and toured Japan with Michael Paulo, who was currently with Al Jarreau’s band and Tris Imboden, the drummer for Chicago. This tour sky- rocketed their popularity in Japan, securing a five album deal with Pony Canyon Records.
They are currently spending a lot of time touring and recording in Japan and the West Coast. The releases, to date,on Pony Canyon are: “Back In Your Heart Again”; “Kalapana Sings Southern All-Stars”; and “Walk Upon the Water”. The fourth LP, “Full Moon Tonight”, was released at the time of the royal wedding in Japan, in the month of June 1995, included a new version of “Hawaiian Wedding Song” done in a finger-snapping R & B groove. Their latest album on Pony Canyon Records, “Captain Santa Island Music”, consists of songs written for a clothing line in Japan. Each of the albums contain new arrangements of Kalapana classics, hosts an array of guest talent and has lots of new songs.
Over the years Kalapana has shared the stage, written and recorded with such personalities (not previously mentioned) as: Kenny Rankin, Pauline Wilson & Larry Williams of Seawind, Kiyotaka Sugiyama, Brother Noland, Cecilio & Kapono, Summer, Olomana, Jim Studer, Mari Iijima, Alex Acuna, Jim Thompson, Jay Graydon, Jerry Davis, Off-World, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Peter Gallway, Carlos Vega, Arno Lucas, Tom Rotella, Harold Payne, Maurice Bega, George Tavy, Rick Keefer, Les Gantan, Greg Bissionette, and the list goes on……
Recently Kalapana released the Hawaii version of “Captain Santa Island Music” with liner notes by International radio DJ, Kamasami Kong. More recently Kalapana released in Japan a new CD titled “The Very Best Of Kalapana”, which includes 20 of their hit songs. Kalapana will going on tour this summer to the Mainland as well as Japan. Kalapana has been seen on Japan television stations in commercials for “Captain Santa” clothing line the last two years.
In February 1999, Kalapana lost one of their founding members, as Mackey Feary passed away. His presence was missed by his fellow band members and fans thru out the world. His music will live on thru Kalapana and many other groups and singers who loved his music. With their decision to carry on the legacy of, one of Hawaii’s most popular and enduring bands, Kalapana will continue to share his songs with their fans.
During the summer of 1999, Kalapana released “Love Under the Sun” , the title song for FM Nagoya’s compilation CD, which was used for FM Nagoya’s Summer Campaign. Also, they recorded the theme song for the Asahi Super Cup, a series of sailboat races held off the coast of Oahu. Both recordings were done at Tetsuya Komuro’s new world class recording studios in Hawaii, TK Disc Studios.
November 5, 2002 – release of new CD. The blue album contains new songs, including two songs featuring Maurice Bega on vocals. Guest artists included the group Chant singing background vocals on “Ten Years After”, which was written by mega Japanese recording artist/producer Tetsuya Komuro, Tris Imboden from the band Chicago on “Another Lonely Night”, Michael Paulo on sax, Pauline Wilson and Garin Poliahu on drums. James Studer, our Kailua bruddah, appears throughout the CD with his arrangements and keyboard work.
Kalapana continues to be the symbol of inspiration and positive direction for Contemporary Hawaiian music and musicians today.
Discography
The 40th Anniversary Best
Pony Canyon 2013
Tracks: Disc 1: Paradise, Juliette, Midnight Sailing, Real Thing, I Remember You, Molokai Sweet Home, Kick It, Many Classic Moments, Keanae Breeze, Writing On A Fortune, Paradise Romance, Coming Home, Chablis, John´s Song, Love Under The Sun, Dana´s Tune & (For You) I´d Chase A Rainbow. Disc 2: Black Sand, Pacific Oasis, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Lover Of Mine, Santa´s Island, Seaside M, Right From The Start, Jody, Full Moon Tonight, Winter Of ´69, Water Song, Velzyland, Tonight I´m Thinking Of You, Walk Upon The Water, Me And My Shonanbo & Happy Xmas (War Is Over).
Musicians on the 40th Anniversary Best album: Kalapana and others.
Many Classic Moments
Solid Records 2013
Tracks: To be updated.
Musicians on the Many Classic Moments album: Kalapana and others.
CD Box 1975 - 1981
Solid Records 2012
Tracks: Albums: Kalapana I, Kalapana II, Kalapana III, Many Classic Moments, In Concert (2CDs), Northbound, Many Classic Moments Original Soundtrack (2CDs), Hold On & Japan Jam 2 Live
Musicians on the CD Box 1975 - 1981 Set: Kalapana and others.
Many Classics - Kalapana Plays Their Best
Punahele Records 2007
Tracks: Black Sand, Kona Daze, (For You) I'd Chase a Rainbow, Juliette, Moon and Stars, You Make It Hard, The Hurt, Velzyland, Many Classic Moments, Nightbird, When the Morning Comes & Naturally
Musicians on the Many Classic - Kalapana Plays Their Best album: Kalapana and others.
Legend
Earth Music Network 2005
Tracks: Blacksand, Molokai Sweet Home/Kona Daze, The Way That I Want It To Be, (For You) I'd Chase A Rainbow, The Water Song, Juliette, Another Lonely Night, Keala, Freedom, Moon And Stars, Coming Home, Nightbird, Velzyland, Many Classic Moments, The Hurt, When Morning Comes & Naturally.
Musicians on the Legend album: Kalapana and others.
The Best Of Kalapana, Vol. 2
Aloha Records 2004
Tracks: Blacksand, Many Classic Moments, Juliette, Kona Daze, Freedom, Baby I Love You, Girl, Another Time, Mana, Water Song (Original Version), Way That I Want It To Be, Spencer St., True Love, No Light Of Day & Can You See Him.
Musicians on the Best Of Kalapana, Vol. 2 album: Kalapana and others.
Blue Album
Oceanbeat Records 2002
Tracks: Another Lonely Night, Lost Love, Ten Years After, Freedom To Live, Keala, Losing The Will To Love, Coming Home To You, 2 Hearts, Guitar Man, Manga & You're In Love.
Musicians on the Blue Album album: Malani Bilyeu, D.J. Pratt, Kenji Sano, Gaylord Holomalia, Maurice Bega, James Studer, Michael Paulo, Garin Poliahu, Tris Imboden, Yosh Gibson, Pauline Wilson, Salaam Tillman, Bobo Guiteres, Chant, Kata Maduli & Lance Motoyama.
Best Live Collection
Vaaan Media 1997
Tracks: Black Sand, Naturally, The Hurt, (For You) I'd Chase A Rainbow, Juliette, Here There And Everywhere, Molokai, Moon & Stars, You Make It Hard, Nightbird, Going Going Gone & Many Classic Moment.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits album: Kalapana and others.
The Very Best Of Kalapana
Pony Canyon Records 1997
Tracks: Many Classic Moments, The Hurt, You Make It Hard, Me And My Shonanbo, Paradise, Naturally, Way That I Want It To Be, I Remember You, (For You) I´d Chase A Rainbow, Nightbird, Black Sand (Edit Version), Real Thing, Kona Daze, Moon And Stars, Midnight Sailing, Juliette, Dorothy Louise, When The Morning Comes, Walk Upon The Water & Molokai Sweet Home.
Musicians on the Very Best Of album: Kalapana and others.
Captain Santa Island Music
Abbatoir Records 1996
Tracks: Midnight Sailing, I Need Your Love, Hero of Mine, Be There Now, Me & My Shonanbo, Strolling on the Seashore, Lover of Mine, Santa Island Drive, Molokai Sweet Home, I Remember You & Santa's Island.
Musicians on the Captain Santa Island Music Again album: Malani Bilyeu, Mackey Feary, D.J. Pratt, Kenji Sano, Gaylord Holomalia, James Studer, Greg Bissonette, Wade Cambern, Sean Naauao, Michael Paulo, Arno Lucas, Rory Flores & David Inamine.
Greatest Hits
Noteworthy Records 1995
Tracks: The Hurt, When The Morning Comes, Moon And Starts, You Make It Hard, Nightbird (For You) I´d Chase A Rainbow, Lost Again, Inarajan, To Be True, Dorothy Louise, What Do I Do, Alisa Lovely & Naturally.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits album: Kalapana and others.
Full Moon Tonight
Abbatoir Records 1995
Tracks: You Must Believe Me, Real Thing, Keanae Breeze, Chablis, Seaside M, Winter of '69, Surf Sequence, Full Moon Tonight, Paradise Romance, Jody, Dana's Tune, Hawaiian Wedding Song & Kick It (album version).
Musicians on the Full Moon Tonight album: Kalapana and others.
Reunion
Bluewater Records 1994
Tracks: Black Sand, Naturally, The Hurt, (For You) I'd Chase A Rainbow, Juliette, Here There And Everywhere, Molokai - Sweet Home, Moon & Stars, You Make It Hard, Nightbird, Going Going Gone & Many Classic Moments.
Musicians on the Reunion album: Malani Bilyeu, Mackey Feary, Michael Paulo, Kirk Thompson and others.
The Best Of Kalapana, Vol. 1
Punahele Records 1992
Tracks: The Hurt, When The Morning Comes, Moon and Stars, You Make It Hard, Nightbird, (For You) I'd Chase A Rainbow, Lost Again, Inarajan, To Be True, Dorothy Louise, What Do I Do, Alisa Lovely & Naturally.
Musicians on the Best Of Kalapana, Vol. 1 album: Kalapana and others.
Sing Southern All Stars
Pacific Coast Records 1991
Tracks: Sorry To Make You Cry, Unaware, Just A Little Bit, Miss Brand-New Day, Ya Ya, Melody, Please!, Capricious, Ellie & Big Wave.
Musicians on the Sings Southern All Stars album: Malani Bilyeu, Mackey Feary, D.J. Pratt, Kenji Sano, Gaylord Holomalia, Tris Imboden, James Studer, Alex Acuna, Michael Paulo and others.
Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Pony Canyon 1991
Tracks: Girl, Black Sand, (For You) I'd Chase A Rainbow, Juliette, Love'em, The Ultimate, Many Classic Moments, Naturally, Up To You, Mana, Songbird & Alisa Lovely.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits Vol.1 album: Kalapana and others.
Back In Your Heart Again
Abbatoir Records 1990
Tracks: Blacksand, Juliette, Many Classic Moments, Back in Your Heart Again, Paradise, Hawaiian Nights, Here There and Everywhere, Ocean of Dreams, Winds of O`ahu, Summer's End, Irna's Melody, Tell Me & Fireside Blues.
Musicians on the Back In Your Heart Again album: Kalapana and others.
Walk Upon The Water
Abbatoir Records 1990
Tracks: Water Song, Already Gone, Over The Edge, John's Song, (For You) I'd chase A Rainbow, Right from The Start, Tonight I'm Thinking Of You, Velzyland, I'll Always Be With You, Coming Home, Writing On A Fortune & Walk Upon The Water.
Musicians on the Walk Upon The Water album: Kalapana and others.
Best Of Kalapana
Nippon Phonogram 1987
Tracks: Freedom, When The Morning Comes, (For You) I´d Chase A Rainbow, Hurricane, Naturally, Nightbird, Hard Times, Black Sand, Other Worlds, The Hurt, What Do I Do, Juliette, Moon And Stars, Northbound, Got To Find You Girl & Hanalei Boogie.
Musicians on the Best Of album: Kalapana and others.
Lava Rock
Surfside Records 1987
Tracks: Everyone Knows, Baby I Love You, Kicking Around, Chasin', Secret Words Of Love, No Light Of Day, Friends, Woman, In Your Eyes & Love Is All You Need.
Musicians on the Lava Rock album: Kalapana and others.
Hurricane
Surfside Records 1986
Tracks: Pain Pain Pain, Goals, Hurricane, Other Worlds, Lights, Spencer St., Tonight, True Love, Winter & Living Without You.
Musicians on the Hurricane album: Kalapana and others.
Live´82
Woorell Records 1982
Black Sand, Naturally, The Hurt, (For You) I´d Chase A Rainbow, Juliette, Here There And Everywhere, Molokai, Moon & Stars, You Make It Hard, Nightbird, Going Going Gone & Many Classic Moments.
Musicians on the Live ´82 album: Kalapana and others.
Alive
WMOT Records 1981
Tracks: You´ve Got To Live, Night Rider, Got To Find Your Girl, Northbound, Love You, Hold On, Sweet Lady Love, Run And Hide & How Does It Feel.
Musicians on the Alive album: Kalapana and others
Japan Jam 2 Live
Trio Records 1980
Tracks: You've Got To Live, Give Me Your Love, The Ultimate, Northbound, Runnin' Hot In The Street, Hold On, Run And Hide & How Does It Feel & Love You.
Musicians on the Japan Jam 2 Live: David John Pratt, Alvin Fejarang, Hiroshi Upshur, Richard Grossman, John Mitchell & Don Kerr.
Kalapana´s Best Live
Trio Records 1980
Tracks: When The Morning Comes, Songbird, I´d Chase A Rainbow, Black Sand, Alisa Lovely, Girl, Can You See Him, Naturally & The Ultimate.
Musicians on the Kalapana´s Best Live: Kalapana and others.
Hold On
Trio Records 1979
Tracks: Hold On, You´ve Got To Live, I Need Your Love, Runnin´ Hot In The Streets, How Does It Feel, , Love You, Run And Hide, I Need A Good Friend, Give Me Your Love & Tropical Typhoon.
Musicians on the Hold On album: David John Pratt, Alvin Fejarang, Hiroshi Upshur, Wilton Gite, John J. Tartol and others.
Northbound
Abbatoir Records 1979
Tracks: Visions, Northbound, Got To Find You Girl, Hanalei Boogie, Boston Blues, Rainy Day, Asian Woman, A Letter Home, Rock On You, Hard Times & Merry Go Round.
Musicians on the Northbound album: Kalapana and others.
Many Classic Moments
Abbatoir Records 1978
Tracks: Many Classic Moments, Ultimate, Water Song, Down By The Sea, Uptown Country, Sunny Days, Naturally & Can You See Him.
Musicians on the Many Classic Moments album: Kalapana and others.
In Concert
Abbatoir Records 1978
Tracks: When The Morning Comes, Songbird, Thoughts Of You, Black Sand, Seasons, Naturally, Mana, I´d Chase A Rainbow, Dorothy Louise, Another Time, Alisa Lovely, Can You See Him, Down By The Sea, Inarajan, Girl, Nathan´s Lament & The Ultimate.
Musicians on the In Concert album: Kalapana and others.
III
Abbatoir Records 1977
Tracks: Alisa Lovely, Another Time, Dilemma, Girl, Inarajan (The Village), Mana, Seasons, Songbird, Thoughts Of You & Up To You.
Musicians on the III album: Kalapana and others.
II
Abbatoir Records 1976
Tracks: Love'em, Freedom, I'd Chase A Rainbow, Way That I Want It To Be, Dorothy Louise, Play It Sing It, Moon And Stars, Black Sand, Lost Again, Wandering Stranger, Juliet & Nathen's Lament.
Musicians on the II album: Kalapana and others.
Kalapana
Abbatoir Records 1975
Tracks: Going Going Gone, Nightbird, What Do I Do, When The Morning Comes, Naturally, All I Want, Kona Daze, You Make It Hard & Everything Is Love.
Musicians on the Kalapana album: Kalapana and others.