HAPAStargazers Theatre and Event CenterDate: August 10, 2012Type: HawaiianDoors @ 6:30 p.m.Show @ 8 p.m.Price: $20 in advance, $ 25 day of show (plus ticket processing fees apply)Buy TicketsMore info“Hapa is the Simon and Garfunkel of Hawaii” –Al Rudis, Los Angeles Daily Breeze.The evolution of Hapa as one of the most imaginative and diverse Hawaiian groups continues with the addition of their newest member, singer-songwriter Ron Kuala’au.Born in Honolulu and raised in Kailua on the windward side of O’ahu, Ron’s earliest memories are of large family gatherings with lots of music and singing. In the early 1980s Ron moved to Maui and began performing professionally, finding audiences who resonated with his soulful vocals and beautifully penned Hawaiian songs. After releasing five full length solo albums, Ron joins Hapa to the delight of founding member and Hapa’s songwriter, Barry Flanagan.Joining Barry and Hapa feels like a reunion of sorts for Ron. “I’ve enjoyed Hapa’s music all of these years, so it’s really exciting for me to be a part of this legendary group. Hapa has always pushed the boundaries, reaching across world genres in creating their unique and eloquent artistry combining music, chant and dance. My hope is to continue Hapa’s evolution in exploring new ways to express aloha through music.”HAPA’s benchmark self-entitled first release in 1994 still remains the number one selling recording by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music, sweeping all six categories it was nominated for at the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy’s. “HAPA” was produced, composed, and arranged by Barry Flanagan, with supporting vocal performances by Grammy Award winning singer Kenny Loggins and Guitar performance by Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Stephen Stills.All follow up HAPA recordings, 1997′s “In The Name of Love”(“The year’s best album”-Honolulu Advertiser); 1999′s  “Namahana”(“A Masterpiece”-The San Francisco Chronicle) and 2005′s “MAUI”debuted in Billboard Magazine’s World Magazine’s Top Ten.Currently, HAPA’s music can be heard in the Adam Sandler Movie “Just Go With It”, released in theaters Febuary 2011.Director Dennis Dugan also featured HAPA as “the band” in the movie’s supper club scene shot on Maui in May 2010.Local Hawaiian dancers will accompany HAPA for this concert.