New show celebrates Hawaiian music and culture in a world-class location.“Anyone bring a bathing suit?” Eric Gilliom asked the audience. The surface of the Royal Lahaina pool glowed in the torchlight, and beyond the stage where Gilliom sat, the Ka‘anapali sunset was fading into a silvery ocean.
It was, indeed, a perfect evening for a dip—except then you might miss the music. And the music was magic.
Gilliom (who is half of award-winning duo, the Barefoot Natives, with Willie K) has again joined Barry Flanagan (founder of internationally acclaimed Hawaiian super group, HAPA, with Nathan Aweau) to bring Maui a brand new show: “Ka‘anapali Nights.”
Set on an oceanfront stage on the grounds of the Royal Lahaina Resort, the show combines cherished HAPA tunes with favorites from Gilliom’s CDs in a sublime venue. Couples stroll the grassy lawn between the bar and pupu station, dine at tables in the poolside restaurant, or simply recline and soak up the music under the stars on chaise lounges set around the low stage.
Flanagan describes it as “a completely new and unique Maui experience for our kama‘aina friends and visitors who are looking for something fun and cultural; another exciting choice for a special Saturday night than a Hawaiian lu‘au or dinner date.”
The idea for the show came about three years ago when Tom Bell, director of operations (or “director of fun,” as he puts it) at Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts, saw Flanagan and Gilliom play their popular “Wailea Nights” series at Mulligan’s on the Blue.
“I was blown away by what an incredible performance it was,” Bell said. “The experience was so powerful, I said, ‘We need to try and offer that experience on the West Side.’”
Bell pitched the idea to Hawaiian Hotels Owner and President Gary Hogan, and Hogan was all for it. With $35-million renovations recently completed, the Royal Lahaina Resort offered the perfect classy venue.
“Eric and I always pictured and dreamed that our show needed an ocean view as a backdrop, and by golly, the dream came true because of the vision and true aloha spirit of Gary and Tom!” Flanagan said.
For opening night on June 28, a crowd of residents and visitors alike filled the oceanfront lawn. Dinner guests at the Royal Ocean Terrace restaurant were greeted warmly by Food and Beverage Director Braulio Andaluz and treated to a four-course dinner of Kula tomato gazpacho, seared deep sea scallops, petit filet mignon with goat cheese risotto, and finally, a warm chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream.
As the sun began to sink behind Moloka‘i, bringing welcome coolness, Flanagan and Gilliom took the stage. Opening with HAPA classic Olinda Road, they set the mood for a mellow evening before moving on to standbys like Haleakala, Ku‘u Home ‘O Kahalu‘u and Gilliom’s Back to Honopo.
The two musicians talked story and joked between songs. “One of the great slack key players in Hawai‘i—a guy from New Jersey,” Gilliom teased Flanagan. Their camaraderie and esteem for each other was evident.
“My life has led me in a direction that for about seven years now, I made a conscious decision to only work and be on stage with people who truly love and respect each other,” Flanagan shared later. “…Eric may tell you that I have tutored him a bit with the whole guitar and singer-songwriter thing, but the reality is he is just a fantastic natural talent born into a wonderful and caring family with an amazing background in entertainment.”
In Bell’s view, the duo works well together because they are not only talented musicians but also have “wonderful stage presence.” “They are very charismatic, they play songs they’ve written and adapted from Hawaiian music, so when you put that all together, it’s a winning combination,” he said. “…The whole event is focused on culture, with incredible hula [by Pi‘ilani Klein], and we hope to bring in Hawaiian chanting as part of the performances from time to time.”
The show might also mix in special guests, like opening night’s Scotty Rotten, who happened to be in the audience and came up to perform his lighthearted Volleyball King at Flanagan’s invitation.
“We are truly going to have fun with the show,” Bell said. “We all agreed from the very beginning that we wanted it to be small, not big ticket sales, relaxed but nicely done, just enjoying the location and the talent.”
The next show in the six-part series takes place on Saturday, July 19, at 7 p.m. (dinner at 6:15 p.m.), with shows to follow on July 26, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16. Tickets for the show alone are $40; $20 for children 12 and under. Special pupu, dinner and room packages are also available. For reservations and more information, call 661-9119.