KALAPANA by KALAPANA

This record forever changed Hawaii. The paragon of 1970s pop paradise from Hawaii.

Fronted by songwriters Mackey Feary and Malani Bilyeu, with guitarist DJ Pratt (who recently passed away... RIP) and keyboardist Kirk Thompson (of Lemuria legend), their debut shaped the sound of a contemporary Hawaii in the 1970s, a sound that is still embedded in our islands.

Kalapana is a source of pride for Hawaii. Ever since its 1975 debut, Kalapana’s sound has been difficult to define — is it jazz? rock? pop? R&B? The band fills a space all its own. Motivated by the high standards of their day (think The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, CSNY, Eric Clapton, Hall & Oates, James Taylor), their resulting debut LP was an instant success that left a massive impact on local artists.

The eleven songs enclosed represent a style uniquely Kalapana's own. Once a staple at local record shops and thrift stores, it rarely pops up anymore (and when it does, it's gone in minutes). Aloha Got Soul is extremely honored to reissue this masterpiece back onto vinyl. Our greatest hope is this official vinyl reissue will continue to perpetuate Kalapana's musical legacy for Hawaii and the world to enjoy.

While their popularity is primarily concentrated in Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan, Kalapana is poised to recapture the imaginations of listeners today, as both a rediscovery process for young listeners whose parents played their original copies to pieces, and as a new musical discovery for people around the world who've yet to hear Kalapana's songs.

Reissued on vinyl for the first time in 45 years.