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Huge Hawaiian music star added to Aloha Festival bill
by Robb Fulcher
This weekend's fourth Aloha Days Surf Contest and Festival -- expanded for the first time to a two-day show of ocean competitions, ethnic food and Polynesian, Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing - just keeps getting bigger.
Organizers of the event, which sprawls from the water to the Pier Plaza area, have announced that Henry Kapono, a leading light in Hawaiian music, will perform free on Saturday afternoon, perhaps playing a number or two with the band Napuukani.
The Oahu-born Henry Kapono Ka'aihue, a folk-rocker of Hawaiian descent, will drop in on the Aloha Festival during a tour that includes stops at the Galaxy Concert Theatre in Anaheim and House of Blues in Las Vegas.
His feel-good sound, riding on island rhythms with influences from Bob Marley to Eric Clapton and the Eagles, can be heard on 11 solo albums and on an extensive Columbia Records output with his duo partner, Cecilio Rodriguez.
Thousands are expected to show up for the contest and festival, which features a rowing competition between teams from Australia and the USA, which won last year's match in an upset.
Saturday's slate includes Hawaiian crafts, food and clothing from about 60 vendors, and Sunday's schedule includes music on the beach by Silverfish, Too Rude and The Fabulous Nomads.
Highlights include:
* Saturday 7 a.m. -- shortboard, bodyboard contest
* Saturday 11 a.m. - colorful opening ceremony north of the pier
* Sunday 7 a.m. -- longboard contest
* Sunday 11 a.m. -- Australia v. USA rowing
* Sunday 5 p.m. - raffle with trip to Hawaii
For information call 372-0358. ER