Henry Kapono & Led Kaapana

Native Hawaiian and GRAMMY® nominated, Henry Kapono is a multiple award-winning vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and composer. Henry is one of Hawaii’s most popular recording artists and presides over Kapono Inc, one of Hawaii's top multi-function entertainment companies. He is equally known for his community support and philanthropic endeavors recently launching the “The Henry Kapono Foundation” in 2018 whose mission is to "Support the community through music and the arts and by giving with Aloha."

Led Kaapana's mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend. He has been thrilling audiences for more than 40 years. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of Led Heads  from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii. Recognition by his peers earned Led 4 Grammy nominations in his own right and 2 wins on slack key compilations.  

Like so many Hawaiians, Led grew up in a musical family. In the tiny black sand bay village of Kalapana,  there were few distractions. "We didn't have electricity, no television, not even much radio," says Led. "So we entertained ourselves. You could go to any house and everybody was playing music."

While recording for Dancing Cat Records, Led produced a number of solo projects, duets, and a project with Allison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, and other  bluegrass legends called Waltz of the Wind. He has worked with Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and many other Nashville notables. Back at home, he has shared his talents on recordings with most of Hawaii's top talents, including Aunty Genoa Keawe, Barney Isaacs, The Ho`opi`i Brothers, Melveen Leed, the Pahinui Brothers, Amy Hanaiali`i, and countless others. In 2008, Led formed his own recording company, Jus' Press Productions, and released his Force of Nature CD, with 12-string virtuoso Mike Kaawa. The album earned a Grammy nomination in 2009 and won Led and Mike the Favorite Entertainer Award at the 2009 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Led tours the US extensively and has also appeared in Belgium, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Tahiti.

When home in Hawaii, Led can be found on Sunday evenings at Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii Kai where local talent and visiting musicians from the four corners of the globe drop in to join the "back yard" party.