When it comes to music from Hawai’i, Kapena is a well-known group since the late ’80s.
The original Kapena featured Kelly DeLima and brothers Tiva and Timo Tatofi and the group has released a lot of wonderful music, won many awards and after 30 yeas of music, the trio decided to call it quits in 2010 as their schedules became much busier, raising their family (other members throughout the years included Elton McKeague, Eddie Teo, Kainoa Delo).
But while that was the end of Kapena (the name which was given to the original trio by Kelly’s father Rudolph “Duffy” De Lima), the trio, Kapena would go into the next chapter of its music endeavor in 2011, but this time, Kapena became a ohana (family) affair.
Actually, Kapena has always been a family affair, the children have always been part of Kapena’s music in some sort of way. And the DeLima family is one of the most talented music families in America and its rare to see both parents and children musically involved.
The DeLima family members now carry on the Kapena name and is led by founder, leader and father, Kelly DeLima (of the original group), keyboardist and vocalist Kalenaku (Kalena); musician, solo artist, studio engineer Kapena; bassist Leolani “Lilo” and manager and occasional singer, Leolani Naopo DeLima (Kelly’s wife and mother of the three).
In fact, each of the children have released an album or multiple singles and have been nominated for multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawai’i’s equivalent to the Grammies) with Kapena winning “Engineer of the Year and “Contemporary Album for he Year” with his first solo album “Cast Your Cares”.
The DeLima family are well-known performers in Hawai’i and when it comes to generations of music families, the DeLima family is right up there with talented American families from the Jacksons, the Osmonds, the DeBarges, the Wolfgramms (for those who remember the Polynesian family from Minneapolis known in the ’80s as “The Jets”), The Hansons and the Jonas’.
And with the group carrying on the Kapena family, their first full-length family album “Palena ‘Ole” would win four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including “Album of the Year”, “Group of the Year”, “Contemporary Album of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year”.
And I have listened to this album and absolutely love it.
Every track on this album is fantastic!
Kelly has always been known for his singing and ukulele playing, but the children, Kalenaku, Kapena and Lilo can sing, they can play and their music is just beautiful.
But just listening to the children perform, you can’t help but be amazed of how each of their vocals come together and produce beautiful harmony.
But just not dad and the children, you can hear mom perform in the opening track “Shells”.
The second track are the three children and this second track made me think, if the first two tracks are this fantastic, the other tracks are not going to disappoint because each of their voices are heavenly. No matter where you may be in the world, this family is transmitting the aloha from their hearts to yours.
When I first listened to “When I Come Home” (sung by Kalena) and “Coquette” (sung by Lilo), immediately I realize how different but also how awesome this new musical chapter for Kapena would be. A lot of potential may it be as a family unit, may it be as musicians or even for collaborations.
“When I Come Home” won music video of the year but it’s also a personal music video for the family. According to their official website:
The thought behind filming this music video was to portray a girl away from home at a stage rehearsal performance in the mainland and having her long for her home with drone shots of the islands and scenes at Tantalus with beautiful hula maidens. The video starts off with a skit of Kalenaku in a dressing room prepping for a stage rehearsal. In the background, you can hear another song off our album called “Coquette” featuring bassist, Lilo DeLima. This scene is very special to the DeLima family ~ Kalena picks up a phone call from her grandmother Charlene Naipo and they briefly talk about how much they miss eachother. Charlene Naipo passed away a few years ago, but prior her passing she taught Lilo the song “Coquette” that you can hear her singing in the background. You can hear a clipping of her teaching Lilo the song in the beginning of the song “Coquette” on the album. We love our mama and are so thankful for her inspiration in our lives to not only be great musicians, but to be great people.
And for those wondering how the tracks are, you get a good balance of songs in English and songs in Hawaiian. And may it be in English or Hawaiian, Kapena’s music playing and vocals are awesome!
While Kelly has given us wonderful music for several decades with the original Kapena, having Kapena continue on as a family music unit with wife and children involved was a great decision.
Earlier this year, Kalenaku was featured in the 2020 U.S. Census “This is Me” video:
Since the release of “Palena ‘Ole”, Kaapena continues to entertain people in Hawai’i but also people around the world through their YouTube channel.
And I can only foresee big things to continue for the group and one can hope for another album in the near future from the DeLima’s.
Kapena’s “Palena ‘Ole” is a fantastic album.
Highly recommended!
