A young Hawaiian soldier coming home in 1971 after spending three years living through the horrors of the Vietnam War was introduced for the first time to Cecilio & Kapono’s music, and it changed his life forever. “What they brought
A young Hawaiian soldier coming home in 1971 after spending three years living through the horrors of the Vietnam War was introduced for the first time to Cecilio & Kapono’s music, and it changed his life forever.
“What they brought forth was really-fresh, original Hawaiian contemporary music,” musician Malani Bilyeu said.
A few years later, in 1975, Bilyeu and three others joined their talents and formed Kalapana, one of the most successful and long-running bands in Hawai‘i.
Kalapana’s original formation included Bilyeu, Mackey Feary, DJ Pratt and Kirk Thompson. The band, largely influenced by C & K’s innovative style, took Hawaiian contemporary music a step further, mixing it with jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.
The result was songs that still remain strong in everyone’s memories in Hawai‘i, old or young. Kalapana has produced timeless hits such as “Night Bird,” “Naturally,” “The Hurt,” “When the Morning Comes,” “To Be True,” “What Do I Do,” “For You I’d Chase a Rainbow,” and so many others.
Today, 35 years later, Kalapana has built a reputation as one of Hawai‘i’s most-influential Hawaiian bands. Showing the impact the band has made in local arts and culture in general, a few weeks ago Bilyeu flew over to O‘ahu to receive a plaque at the state Capitol commending Kalapana for its 35th anniversary.
Only Bilyeu and Pratt still remain from Kalapana’s original formation. Thompson has left years ago, and Feary passed away tragically in 1999.
“Mackey and I used to share the task of writing and singing,” said Bilyeu, who is now the main composer and lead singer for Kalapana.
Together with Feary, Bilyeu composed some of the most beautiful Hawaiian contemporary music, catapulting Kalapana to stardom. Feary is gone, but his raw talent and passionate performances will always be remembered.
“It’s sad, if I had more chances to talk to him I would’ve,” said Bilyeu, adding that if Feary hadn’t taken his own life in prison they would still be playing together. “He just went through a heartbreak and couldn’t handle.”
Bilyeu too has gone through many ups and downs in life, but is still playing music regularly.
“Why not? Music is my whole life. It’s all I have,” he said.
“When you find yourself really down, nothing can get you up,” Bilyeu said. “But you realize that God gave you a life and you’re living it.”
Kalapana’s formation these days, besides Bilyeu and Pratt, includes Kenji Sano and Gaylord Holomalia.
“It’s kind of a strange relationship, everybody has their own venues and what they do in life now, but it’s like a clique,” said Bilyeu. “People still want to hear Kalapana.”
Since the late 1970s, Kalapana has been really popular in Japan, and the group has gone there several times to perform. Plus, the Japanese love everything Hawaiian.
“They’re really open to different sounds, then when we approached with Hawaiian rock we kinda hit,” Bilyeu said.
Bilyeu’s solo career has also taken high flight in Japan over the years. Right now he is getting ready to spend about a week performing there.
“My first relationship with music was in church,” Bilyeu said. He and some “young rascals” formed a group and did pretty well singing lots of cover songs. He was still in eighth grade, and they played together until high-school graduation.
To this day, the “Kahili Phantoms,” as the band was called, still keep in touch.
After high school, reality hit, and Bilyeu got drafted to Vietnam at 19 years old.
“It was pretty heavy. I experienced a lot of things, but after a few firefights you get used to the fact that you’re a goner, you don’t hear the bullet that’s going to hit you.
“By the grace of God I made it through, not a scratch,” Bilyeu said, but others weren’t so lucky. “I had a few friends who didn’t make it through.
“I live my life one day at a time. Life is not easy, this is just as bad as a war zone,” Bilyeu said.
“Sometimes I wish I was back there,” he jokes.
Right now Bilyeu sees a lot of good things happening in Kalapana’s future. He said there’s a cycle of progressive jazz rock coming around, and the band is already busy with several commitments.
Kalapana’s main formation is made of four musicians, but a band of experienced musicians backs them up onstage.
“Our music is very advanced. You have to be a really good player to play in Kalapana. You have to know what you’re doing,” Bilyeu said.
During summer Kalapana will officially kick off their 35th anniversary tour. Lucky for us on Kaua‘i, Kalapana will start that tour right here with a benefit concert June 13 at Kilohana. The concert will also feature Tommy and Malia Tokioka and Shilo Pa.
Malani does a solo act every Wednesday and Saturday at Tahiti Nui, in Hanalei, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
