Howard Shapiro's Page

I am a songwriter and recording artist and have used my music to address social, environmental and cultural issues. My music career began in 1975 when I began writing about the struggle of the native Hawaiian people for their land and cultural rights. This soon expanded to include songs with themes concerning environmental protection, world hunger, poverty and human rights.

In 1977 I joined with Hawaiian songwriter Michael Joao to create the musical group `Aina (Land). In 1978 we released our first recording entitled Greenpeace: To Save the Whales/A Shift in the Wind. This was a benefit record for Greenpeace and The Hunger Project. From 1977-1980, `Aina performed at concerts, festivals, and fundraisers supporting organizations promoting the protection of the environment, the preservation of native Hawaiian culture, the ending of hunger etc. In 1980, `Aina released it’s first album Lead Me to the Garden. The album spoke of our collective need to live in peace with one another and with the earth.

In 1981 I embarked on my solo career. I produced and recorded two single releases. These recordings supported the work of the Hale Naua III Society
of Hawaiian Artists and the Hawaii Council of American Indian Nations.

In 1986 I created the Performing and Fine Artists for World Peace. Building on my commitment to numerous causes, I formed this non-profit organization as a means for other artists to create works that would address social and environmental issues. In 1987, the organization received the Peace Messenger Award from the United Nations.

My travels have taken me to cities across the United States as well as to international venues in Canada, Russia, Europe, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand.

I am currently working with the ‘global fusion’ music group ‘Kumanu’ in Hawai`i . In 2004 under the name Hawai`i Island Performing Artists we recorded We Are `Ohana-Songs of Hope that addressed the treatment and prevention of substance abuse and addiction. In 2007 I produced the CD Earth Patriot with Kumanu. The CD addresses social, environmental and cultural issues and was sponsored by Performing and Fine Artists for World Peace and Recycle Hawai`i. In October 2008, Kumanu released See the Flame, a CD that supports the work of Amnesty International and promotes the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 2009 my music partner Gregg Perry and I created Earth Patriot Productions. Earth Patriot Productions is a global community action company committed to creating a multinational network, connected via innovative multimedia technology, that promotes empowerment and positive change through creative arts. The mission of our new company is:
" To increase community awareness, to inspire individuals to collective action and to to achieve positive solutions through collaboration with local, national and international filmmakers, producers, educators, writers and performers in all artistic media.

I also am currently employed as the coordinator for the 'Artists and the Environment' program sponsored by Recycle Hawai`i and Performing and Fine Artists for World Peace.

RECORDINGS WITH KUMANU MUSIC & PERRYSCOPE RECORDS
Greenpeace: To Save the Whales/A Shift in the Wind: 1978
Hale Mohalu: 1979
Lead Me to the Garden: 1980
Island in the Sea/Aloha `Aina: 1981
The American Indian/Calling to Me (John Lennon’s Song): 1981
The Prize: 1987
Ka `Aina: 1987 (Re-released as CD 2003)
The Peacemakers: 1989
We Remember Them: 2002
Listen to the Forest: 2003
We Are `Ohana - Songs of Hope: 2004
Legacy: 2005
Random Notes: A Songwriter’s Journey: 2007
Earth Patriot: 2007
See the Flame: 2008

PERFORMANCES (Partial listing)
Aloha Cultural Exchange - London, Leicester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin
Peace Messenger Conference – Sochi, Soviet Union
Paz y Cooperacion – Madrid, Spain
Life-Link Foundation – Sigtuna, Sweden
Journey to Peace – Vancouver, B. C., Canada
United Nations International Year of the Family - New Zealand
50th Anniversary of the United Nations – San Francisco, CA
Human Rights Access – Washington, D. C.
Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center – Detroit, MI
M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence – Memphis, TN
September 11th Memorial Program – New York City, NY
The Dream Lives On: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Kaua`i, Hawai`i
Hawai`i Environmental Education Association – Honolulu, Hawai`i
Pacific Whale Foundation Whale Day Festival – Maui, Hawai`i
We Are `Ohana: Working Together to Heal Our Islands – Hilo, Hawai`i

Earth Patriot Productions/Kumanu Music
Post Office Box 1050 Volcano, Hawai`i 96785 808.985.8725 artpeace@hawaiiantel.net
www.artistsandpeace.org www.earthpatriotproductions.com