 Hi, I'm Rusty Komori and this is Beyond the Lines. Today is very significant because it's my 50th episode and I want to thank you for all your support in allowing me to feature such a wide range of truly amazing guests who inspire all of us to find our greatness. We are broadcasting live from the beautiful Think Tech Hawaii TV studio in the Pioneer Plaza in downtown Honolulu. This show is based on my book which is also titled Beyond the Lines and it's about leadership, creating a superior culture of excellence and finding greatness. Today's special guest is an award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who is one of the most popular, most successful musicians in Hawaii for decades. He is the legendary Henry Capono and today we are going beyond music. Hey, Henry. Awesome to see you. Congratulations, 50th. 50 episodes. That's a lot. That is. Now, Henry, we have a lot to talk about today but I want to know when did you first start singing? In church, in choirs, in a children's choir. And I was good at singing with other people because you couldn't hear my voice that well. How old were you? I think I was like five or six. Took a long time for me to get to sing by myself. Really? And get used to my voice. And sometimes you hear your voice going, no, I don't like it. I like it now. So what was your first instrument that you started playing? Ukulele. My dad used to come home from work and he'd sit in his chair and pick up his ukulele and start playing. And then I asked him if he could teach me how to play. So he taught me a few chords and that got me started on Ukulele. Then when I saw a friend of mine playing a guitar, it sounded so good, you know, I just got attracted to the guitar. And he actually said, here, I'm trying to play it. I didn't know anything about it. They showed me one chord and it was it. From that, then I wanted to play guitar. Nice. Now I've always wondered this, Henry. What is the meaning of your name, Capono? Capono means the righteous. I was named after my mom's brother. And then, you know, a lot of times, you know, your dad, the names of the first child after him, junior, but my, or his third son got the name, Kala, junior. And I'm kind of glad I got Capono, you know? I've grown to really understand the name and love the name and have a lot of respect for it. Well, righteous. I mean, that's absolutely perfect. Yeah, you know, as long as you take it in the right direction. Yeah. Now I heard that you played football back in the day. I did. That was actually what I always wanted to be. It was a professional football player. And so I got to play football once I got a scholarship to Punahou for baseball. And they said, well, we have an intermediate football team. And I went, I'm in. But, you know, I mean, I couldn't play Pop Warner because I was too big, too heavy. I couldn't play Bantam at the same time because I was too young. So I had to sit out. So I went to baseball. I had some good friends in the neighborhood that took me in and taught me how to play baseball. And I got pretty good at it. So how serious were you about playing football? Very serious. You know, it was what I wanted to do as a profession. And I think God had a different thing prepared for me. So a lot of things happened to get me from football to music. So speaking of music, what artists were you influenced by? Definitely The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Cosby Stills, National Young, Boggs and Messina, James Taylor, and then some of the old time blues players. And I just loved music. Yeah, that's awesome. Now, how did your professional music career officially begin? I guess when I went to Vietnam that cut me off from football and everything else. I got a friend of mine came in and said, oh, you want to go on tour in Southern grade, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, all these great places in six weeks, I'll be back for football. Two years later, I got home. I had to work my way back. So what happened during? Well, everything changed. It was a beautiful one-way ticket to this great place, these great places. I'd never seen any of them except for Thailand and Vietnam. But everything changed once we got there. Management company went down, went under and sent us to Vietnam. By the time they sent us over, they had closed their business. They were stranded there basically with these two girls from Chicago called the Twin Sisters. And they didn't make it, they didn't get there. So we just had enough to get them back to Thailand. And then they had to work their way back to Chicago. Yeah, so what did you learn through that experience? I learned a lot of things. I grew up real fast. You know, I learned how to be strong. I learned how to believe in myself and trust in myself and to try to make the best choices I can. You know, I mean, I made some bad choices, but you know, if you don't learn from your bad choices, you don't get to grow and get through, you know, find your path. Yeah. And then after all of that and all of your other experiences, you are a Grammy nominee. And how did it feel going with your wife Leslie to the Grammys? Oh, it was, you know, it was exciting. And mainly because of the project that it got nominated for, which is totally off the wall. You know, my wife woke me up one day and I didn't even know she submitted me for that. Grammy, she woke me up one day, she said, all excited, said, you made it, you made the finals. I went, what finals? She goes, Grammy, I go, you submitted me? And she said, yeah, you made it. That was really exciting. Yeah. And to go to it and see, you know, what it's all about, you know, it was an experience. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. That's amazing. Yeah, it is. You produced the songs of C&K CD last year in partnership with First Hawaiian Bank. Yes. How is that doing? It's doing awesome. You know, it's been a really refreshing project, an exciting project to work with the younger artists that grew up listening to C&K. Yeah. You know, and when I called them up, you know, when we decided this is the project we wanted to do and First Hawaiian Bank was all for it. Great. Then I started calling all the artists and the artists that I knew of and artists that I researched, artists that I've heard about. And I called them up and said, and if they wanted to be a part of it. And then I said, do you guys know of C&K? Yeah, of course. And I said, well, what's your favorite song? And they all picked a different song. Great. Yeah. So, Henry, tell me about this artist to artist concerts with the next generation songs of C&K artists that's coming. Well, we've been doing these series with the icons, you know, like Kaila Beamer, Jerry Santos, and the late Milani Bill Yu. And it's been very successful. And then working with these groups, this younger audience, we just decided, well, let's, you know, maybe people want to know about them. You know, I mean, they don't really have a history yet, you know, but they do have, they grew up into it. So there was a story there. And they all had a story about the songs that they picked. So that's basically what artists to artists is about is getting to know the artists, getting to know why they write, the way they do what the, you know, what music means to them, their passion. Yeah. Well, they got to be so excited to be able to perform with you. I mean, you're legendary, Henry. Yeah, you know, I'm just really blessed and grateful that, you know, I have, I'm in a position where I can help. Yeah. And you have a new CD called Welcome to My Paradise. And I just watched your video of the song Celebrate. Right. It's awesome. I love it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yeah, it was kind of like we just went to the beach and then this guy had a drone and he just got it and he wanted to play around with it and he just came out. Yeah. You know, the song is really about appreciating all the things that we have in our, that surround us, you know, Mother Earth, the ocean. We're so lucky to have to be living in paradise, you know. And so the song was really about when I was young, I took for granted what we had, you know, until I realized after being in LA and going through all of that touring and all that going around the world, that this place is really something special. So it made me think about, you know, where would I be happier, you know, and is that how valuable is that to me? So I said, this is my home. Yeah. Yeah. No, and Henry, I like that, you know, in the video, you're standing in the ocean performing. And I like when you're in doing your video standing in the ocean. Yeah, it seems like the last couple of videos I've been in the ocean. I love the, I love Hawaii. I love, you know, getting your feet wet, getting sand in your toes, you know, makes you feel like you're part of the environment. Yeah, you're connected. Yeah. So Henry, you have the Henry Capone Foundation. What's new with your foundation now? Well, the new thing is that its foundation is a new project, and to understand it and to make the best of it, and that it really helps the mission of helping musicians and artists to grow, and also to be able to contribute to other organizations that we've worked with, like, you know, March of the, no. You have a ton, you have a ton. Yeah, KKOK, I know, yeah, we've helped so many organizations, and then this, our banker finally says, you know, maybe it's time you guys start your own foundation. Yeah. You guys are always helping other people, and I said, my wife and I looked at each other and said, you know, that's a great idea, you know. We can really help people the way we want to help. Yeah, totally agree, I love that. And you're gonna be, there's something special happening this May Day, right? What's happening? Yeah, we're playing on Maikiki Beach. Nice. Yeah, the most beautiful beach in the world, and where I grew up, I mean, that was my playground. Yeah. You know, I used to go surfing all the time down there, and I got to know the Beach Boys through my father. Awesome. And I think this is all about celebrating the Beach Boys, you know, because they really were the instrumental in bringing their Lord to the world. Because, you know, when the world came to Hawaii, they took care of them. They showed them how to, how we live. They took them to the Luau's, you know, I mean, it was special at that time. And, you know, they had their other jobs, but the beach was their home, you know, and they loved spreading the law. So they're actually the ambassadors of the law, and they're the one reason I think that Hawaii is their law state. Yeah. So who's gonna be performing with you on this May Day? Well, we got Alec Kalkami. I've been working with, you know, also Kaila Beamer, we've done some work together, and it'll be fun, you know. Of course. I love the fact that I can work with different people, and I learn a lot, you know. I was telling my kids that, you know, I'm gonna learn to the last day, you know. So it's important to me to learn. I had Alec's Kalkami on my show a few months ago. I mean, I know Alec's from a long time ago when I taught tennis to him. But he told me on the show that you're mentoring and helping him. So, I mean, he's so talented, he's amazing. How is it working with him? He is real talented. He's really, you know, he's got a really good head on the shoulder. You know, he knows the business. He went to LA and went through the grind and saw what it was like. So, you know, he has a better understanding of what it's like to be a musician and artist in this time. You know, he's really talented and very passionate about this music. And he's a great songwriter, you know. You know, when I was on tour, you know, I called him up and asked him to come join me on a song. And he was just about ready to throw in the towel and say, you know, I had enough of this. But he came and he just blew everybody away, you know, even myself. And I went, this kid came prepared, you know. You can call an artist and if they're not prepared, you know, it's not gonna work out. But he came prepared and people just loved him. You know, there's still a C&K song that everybody loves the way it's done, you know. And have somebody else come in and sing it while I'm there, you know. I was real proud of him. Yeah, I remember when he came back because he was feeling really down and you really saved him. I mean, you got his mind on track and now he's soaring. Yeah, now he's, you know, he's really a unique artist. And he needs to be in unique opportunities. And we try to find those places for him, you know. Nice. I mean, we all play the bars before. Because, you know, sometimes then it comes time we have to move on and find different areas. Places to play and things to do. Totally. And we're gonna take a quick break and when we come back, we're gonna continue going beyond music. Awesome. You are watching Beyond the Lines on Think Tech Hawaii with my special guest, Henry Caponell. We will be back in 60 seconds. Aloha. This is Winston Welch. I am your host of Out and About where every other week, Mondays at 3, we explore a variety of topics in our city, state, nation and world. And events, organizations, the people that fuel them. It's a really interesting show. We welcome you to tune in and we welcome your suggestions for shows. You got a lot of them out there and we have an awesome studio here where we can get your ideas out as well. So I look forward to you tuning in every other week where we've got some great guests and great topics. You're gonna learn a lot. You're gonna come away inspired like I do. So I'll see you every other week here at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon. Aloha. Aloha, I'm Gwen Harris, the host here at Think Tech Hawaii, a digital media company serving the people of Hawaii. We provide a video platform for citizen journalists to raise public awareness in Hawaii. We are a Hawaii nonprofit that depends on the generosity of the supporters to keep on going. We'd be grateful if you'd go to thinktechhawaii.com and make a donation to support us now. Thanks so much. Welcome back to Beyond the Lines on Think Tech Hawaii. My special guest today is an award-winning Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter. He is the legendary Henry Capono and today we are going beyond music. Henry, I wanna ask you what inspires you to write all these amazing songs and CDs and how many CDs do you have now? Actually, welcome to my paradise is my 20th solo CD and then I have another 12 with C and K. Geez. I think what inspires me is everything. I can't close myself up to just being brought here to one thing. There's so much in this world to think about and understand. I think I try to live the songs that I write and I'm inspired by people. I'm inspired by things that I do. And then I listen. I'm a good listening listener to what's going on. That helps me to know where I am. Yeah. When you write a song, do you know if it's gonna be like a hit song or do you think every song is gonna be a hit song or what are your thoughts? Well, I don't write songs for it to be a hit anymore. And I never did. I just wrote songs because I loved writing and I love singing and I love music. And every song has a certain meaning for me. The stories, those songs have content of those stories really means a lot to me. So I own it, it becomes a part of me. And yeah, I don't write to be on radio or I just write to be happy, to make people happy. And I think that's more really important to me that I'm making people feel good about where they are and who they are and that makes me feel good. Well, I'm happy when I listen to your songs. I mean, the legendary songs, I mean, Home in the Islands and I mean, Brands, it just goes on and on. Now, in my book Beyond the Lines, I talk about achieving and sustaining success and you obviously have achieved and sustained success. How have you sustained success for all these decades? I think you gotta keep growing. You gotta keep learning, you gotta keep growing and you gotta keep being present and understanding where you are in just time period as everything progresses and understand how your music and in inspiring and impact people's lives. You know, I think if you don't keep growing then you just kinda like, you're done, you know? Yeah, you can't be complacent. Yeah, you know, I don't see myself like that, you know? So, and I'm learning every day, you know? Like a young artist, they've taught me a lot, you know? And a lot of things that I kind of like put on the side, you know, and now I go, yeah, you know, those things really bend a lot, who I am right now. Also in my book, I talk about empathy, purpose and fulfillment and I wanna know, Henry, what gives you fulfillment? Family, Hawaii, friends. Just, you know, the goodness of living and being surrounded by love and also giving love, you know? So that makes me happy and I see my kids every day and be a part of the, part of life in general. Oh, that makes sense, I like that. And let's go on the other side now. What was your greatest adversity that you had to overcome in your life? Oh, well, I think once I got it, actually, I went to Vietnam as a musician, played with a power trio and it was like I was dumped into there for a reason. I didn't understand it at the time but then I was there and I started to think. I started to read and I started to grow. I was in the most dangerous place I could ever think of being as a civilian and I either had to be afraid of being there or be courageous of being there and I took the better part to say, you know, I'm here for a reason, you know? And if I make it through, I make it through for a reason, so there's a reason to everything and you just have to go with your feeling, your heart and you just gotta be a part of life, you know? How was that challenge for you? I mean, being so successful with C and K and then going solo, I mean, what happened? How was it for you? Well, that was another stepping stone, you know? And I took it, you know, I started to look at we were having so much fun. Everybody was, people were loving us and we loved the music, we loved playing and it got to the point where, you know, I had a family and I needed to really think of how I'm, I have to be the provider, you know? And then I can be a musician and just do what musicians do but then I said, I have to learn the business because all the people that were doing business were doing very well, you know? And we were having fun, you know? Which is the best part of being an artist, you know? But I had to learn the business, you know? To get ahead and, you know, they say 80% is business, 20% is art and I couldn't understand that but then I realized, you know, that's what it takes. So that 20% is very precious, you know? Oh yeah, for sure. And so how you treat it and how you become a part of it is most important, you know? Now you've learned, I mean, a lot of things in your life but what do you think is like the biggest thing that you've learned in your life so far? How to be me. Yeah? Yeah. It's not easy being an artist, you know? I mean, in this industry, it's surrounded by people. And you really have to keep your head on your shoulder and not be more than people tend to make you. A lot of people say, you don't know how big you are. I said, fine, you know? I know who I am though, that's the main thing. Yeah, you're right though, like being true to yourself. I mean, that's not easy. It's not, you know, I had to learn that, you know? I think everybody has to learn that, you know? You get to a point in your life where you're going, what am I doing? You know, am I wasting my time or am I making use of my time? Yeah. You know, I got to that point and I, you know, I get to certain points in my life where I go, okay, now it's new, you know? And then you just take the risk and then do what you need to do to accomplish that goal, you know, you have to have a goal. Henry, you know, you're, I mean, obviously have so many successful CDs and albums but how do you keep reinventing yourself when you come out with a new album? Well, you know, I have to take everything into consideration that why do people, why are they inspired by my music? Why am I here? How did I get here? What is going on in the world today? How does it affect me? Yeah. How does it affect my music? What good can I do with my music? Because my music really, I haven't, music is so powerful that if you use it in the right way, you can make, you can change things, you know, you can make things better for other people, you know? And so I'm constantly thinking about, you know, how do I impact somebody's life in a good way? Yeah. How do I, how do I change their lives or change the world for good of all mankind, you know? And I have to think, you know, unconscious, maybe unconsciously, I just kind of like, it's embedded in me when I write. Yeah. What, Henry, what is the biggest difference you see in yourself today versus yourself 30 years ago? Oh, I've grown a lot, you know? I'm really proud of where I am, you know? 30 years I had to define myself, define who I am and become who I am right now. So, you know, a lot of things could have happened that it changed my whole, my whole life now. But I, you know, I stayed conscious of who I am, where I'm going, what I'm doing, and am I growing and am I doing something good? Yeah. And staying healthy. And staying healthy, healthy is very important. Yeah. So what's, what's next for Henry Capono in these coming years? You know, I've had, I keep thinking, I keep thinking that at a certain point in my life, I'd like to paint, I'd like to start writing books, writing these books, children's books, or just a book. And, dude, I mean, there's so much, so much to do. Yeah. Not enough time. So, you know, I just let myself go with the flow and find the direction I need to go. Yeah. No, that sounds good. Yeah, that makes me grow. Yeah. No, I love hearing all of your insights today, Henry. It was such a pleasure having you on the show today. And I really want to thank you. Congratulations on your book and your show and, you know. Oh. You know, it's a great show. I love it. Thank you, Henry. Thank you. Thank you, Rusty. And thank you for watching Beyond the Lines on Think Tech Hawaii and a special thank you to my clothing sponsor, Ilani Incorporated. For more information, please visit RustyKamori.com and my book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all Costco stores in Hawaii. I hope that Henry and I will inspire you to create your own superior culture of excellence and to find your greatness and help others find theirs. Aloha.