On the Scene With Bob Harmon

If you have gone to a major concert in Honolulu any time in the past 42 years you have almost certainly seen the work of lighting expert Bob Harmon.

Harmon, 59, and his company, Eggshell Light Co., provide the lighting for concerts, conventions, television and special events. He has illuminated the pali behind Kualoa Ranch, the IBM Building and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

He was 16 when he lit his first concert, Brewer & Shipley at Andrews Amphitheatre. The year was 1974. One of his most recent jobs: the UB40 show in Blaisdell Arena two weeks ago.

JOHN BERGER: UB40 was a beautiful show. How elaborate lighting-wise was it?

BOB HARMON: UB40 was a mid-line show but we try to make sure that even for the smallest elements that there’s front lighting and back lighting and background, and you have to be able to keep the audience’s attention so I always throw something extra in.

JB: What would a complicated show be?

BH: A very sophisticated show probably has everything prerecorded and might have video run by the lighting desk.

When we did Nichiren Shoshu of America at the Waikiki Shell (in 1985), they gave us a list of things to do and we knocked it out pretty quickly, but every time we finished they would give us another list. By the time of the show, all of the seating area was covered with stage, they didn’t like the color of the grass so they re-grassed the place, and they built replicas of the Nina, the Pinta and Santa Maria.

At the end of the show they told us, “Stand by for the USS Enterprise” — I didn’t know anything about it — and then a crane brought a replica of the starship over the top of the Shell.

JB: Is there another show or two that is particularly memorable?

BH: One of my favorites to this day is Tina Turner with Bryan Adams. They were on for New Year’s Eve and they were just unstoppable.

The Bruno (Mars) concert (in 2014) was also very interesting. Their lighting director — John LaBriola — was very on it and it was an amazing show.

JB: What are the key elements to success in lighting?

BH: You have to have a good crew. If you’re married, as I am, you have to have a supportive wife.

I’ve had the luxury of having a number of great lighting designers come to Hawaii. They’ve become my tutors and I’ve had the best teachers in the world.

JB: What’s the silliest question people ask you?

BH: “Do you get to go to all the shows?” Actually (the clients) get a little ticked off if I don’t show up.

“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.