I didn't realize how poignant this song by Atsuko Nina（二名敦子）would be. The reason I say this is that the towns of Kaimū and Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaii were destroyed by a lava flow erupting from the Kīlauea volcano in 1990. The towns are buried under 50 ft. of lava and a new black sand beach has formed over the old one which was once seen as one of the most beautiful examples of its type in the world. From what I've read, the new beach is really only good for volcanologists now.
Going back to Nina's song, "Kalapana Black Sand Beach" is the opening track from her May 1984 album "Loco Island". Written by Yoshiko Miura（三浦徳子）and composed by Masayoshi Takanaka（高中正義）, the way Nina sings this jolly and laidback song, the beach, pre-volcano, was one heck of a place to get together and get surfing. A little bit of that jazzy piano goes a long way, too. Hopefully, the area will return to its former glory.
This does remind me of the slow R&B jams from the late 1970's and early 80's.
ReplyDeleteI am a big island guy. I don’t remember kalapana that much as I never went to that side of the island. But this song is so laid back….like Hilo. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi there. Yeah, I wasn't quite sure how popular Kalapana was back in the day before the volcano.
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