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When O\u02bbahu-based singer and songwriter Henry Kapono Ka\u02bbaihue, who goes by Henry Kapono, sings \u201cSailing,\u201d he is performing a song he wrote for his father. The lyrics describe a man who is \u201cskipper of the sea\u201d and calls sailing \u201chis first love, it keeps him so free.\u201d The N\u0101 H\u014dk\u016b Hanohano award-winning artist just released the extended play \u201cSummertime,<\/u><\/a>\u201d on July 11, and has several upcoming performances on O\u02bbahu.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI always say that \u02bbSailing\u2019 has been my favorite because I wrote it for my dad,\u201d Kapono told Aloha State Daily. \u201cWhen I was coming up, I was wanting to write a song for my dad because he taught me so much, and \u02bbSailing\u2019 would probably be the song.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His new extended play \u201cSummertime\u201d<\/u><\/a> has six songs, including \u201cSummertime,\u201d \u201cLahaina,\u201d and \u201cIsland Love,\u201d among others. It was named by his wife who drew inspiration from the song by that name, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Kapono grew up in Kapahulu and walked Waik\u012bk\u012b regularly with his father and brother where they would surf and say hello to the beach boys, including Duke Kahanamoku\u2019s family.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the song \u02bbSummertime,\u2019 I’m kind of mixing both past and present,\u201d he said. \u201cI love summer. Hawai\u02bbi is summer for me every day, all year long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kapono performed for many years with Cecilio David Rodriguez, before launching a solo career. Now, he performs regularly from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Duke\u2019s Waik\u012bk\u012b as part of a series called \u201cDuke\u2019s on Sunday.\u201d For the last hour of each performance, music is livestreamed on Facebook. This weekend, Kapono will perform A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett on Sunday, Aug. 24. <\/span><\/p>\n The performance falls just ahead of September, which Mayor Rick Blangiardi declared Henry Kapono Foundation Month<\/u><\/a> in 2024. Next month, is the foundation\u2019s \u201cWe Are Friends\u201d fundraiser<\/u><\/a> on Sept. 28. Details.<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Today, Kapono is helping the next generation of artists get their start through the Henry Kapono Foundation, which runs the On the Rise program to help launch the careers of young entertainers based in Hawai\u02bbi with professional shows, mentorship, masterclasses and publicity opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n His advice for young artists?<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBe passionate about what you want to do,\u201d he said. \u201cJust listen to your heart. Anything is possible, and dreams do come true, but you need to put in need to put in the work and the effort to really be who you want to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Follow Kapono on Instagram<\/u><\/a>, YouTube<\/u><\/a> or Spotify<\/u><\/a> and get more information about upcoming performances on his website: henrykapono.com<\/u><\/a>. Learn about his foundation\u2019s events<\/u><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n