Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) with music by Haumoana

These photos were all taken by wife and I during a one-month research trip to Rapa Nui in August of 2006. We knew Itto from Hawaii and traveled with him to Rapa Nui and stayed with his family who are as genuine and kind as he is. Rapa Nui is almost without words to describe it. It has to be experienced. Such a special place. I purposely didn't include my family from most of the included shots because I wanted to tell the story of Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui with its own images and music.
Itto Haumoana Pakarati was born in 1984 on the mystifying and captivating island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), surrounded by hundred miles of blue water in the south Pacific. Rapa Nui lies halfway between Chile and Tahiti and is one of the most isolated and amazing places on earth. Itto is the son of a native Rapa Nui couple, but months after his birth, his mother left him and his father died. He was taken and raised by his grandmother who is the inspiration of my life.
Itto began his musical journey with a cracked guitar at the age of twelve. Being left handed, he was taught and forced to play with his right hand. After two years he switched the guitar and started playing with his left hand. Today, he is one of the few musicians in the world that plays guitar with the strings up side down, such as well known guitarists Coco Montoya and Jimmy Hendrix. Itto Pakarati was introduced to the music world by his uncle Kio Teao (R.I.P).
Itto Pakarati produced his first album "Moana" itunes.apple.c... locally in 2003 which allowed him the funds to study in Los Angeles for two years. He then studied Music and Business at BYU-Hawaii from 2005-2009. In 2012 he produced his album "Land of Kings" itunes.apple.c... under his Polynesian name Haumoana.
Haumoana has traveled and toured the world singing in Asia, Polynesia, and North and South America. Follow him on Facebook at / haumoana or on Instagram at / haumoana