"I was sitting with a very special friend of mine, Rob Thibaut, an entrepreneur/restaurateur and visionary leader, whom I have know for many years and have the highest love and respect for. He had just opened his new restaurant on the beach at Waikiki, called Duke's, named after the world famous Hawaiian, Duke Kahanamoku. Duke, an Olympic Gold Medal winner in swimming, a great surfer, a great human being and Hawaii's most beloved Ambassador of Aloha. Well Rob started talking about his vision. He said "imagine this, a beautiful sunny Hawaiian day, surfers riding the waves, Diamondhead in the distance, palm trees, beach boys having a good time, people from here and all over the world together here on the beach having a good time and you, Henry Kapono, playing your music live at Duke's in Waikiki". He described it with so much passion, that I could see it happening already. That was in 1993. Time flies when you're having a good time...Rob was always so happy whenever he came by and saw his vision alive on Sunday. He loved the islands, the people, the culture, his work, his friends and adored his wife Patty and their children. He was so Hawaiian at Heart. I am fortunate to have known him. It's a beautiful thing and I am such a lucky guy. Being home in Paradise, playing my music and making people fell good, to me it's the ultimate cool. Thanks Rob! Duke's on Sunday is dedicated to you. This will always be your day and we hope to perpetuate it just as you imagined it. I love and miss you my friend. God bless you and "Aloha". ~ Henry