KAPENA

BIO:

Kapena, considered to be one of Hawaii’s premier island bands has more than 20 Island Music CD’s to
their credit. Although the band has been through some changes, its founding member, Kelly Boy
De Lima is still the band leader. Kapena continues to be an institution that embraces what islanders fell
in love with when fans first heard the unique sound of their “electrifying” Kapena music. In the early
2000’s, Kelly Boy introduced Hawaii to the next generation of Kapena, his three children—Kapena,
Kalena and Lilo. With the next generation came a new, fresh Kapena sound. Kelly Boy’s three children
have gained success of their own, writing new original music and being nominated and winning
multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards. This new Kapena band offers a diverse new package for the old
diehard Kapena fans as well as a new generation of Kapena fans.

Read about The History of Kapena here

MEET THE BAND:

Kelly Boy
Lead Vocals and Ukulele
@kelly_boy_delima

Kelly Boy DeLima is the founder and leader of the group, Kapena. His musical
journey began in 1984 when he competed with his two Tongan brothers in Brown
Bags to Stardom. His niche of being that “haole boy who could sing Hawaiian
music” gained the group a lot of attention and within a few years, Kapena became
one of the hottest bands in the islands. Kelly Boy has toured all over the world
spreading that electrifying Kapena music that fans first fell in love with. He is a
multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winner and has come out with over 20 CDs.
Kelly Boy has been bringing that feel good island music to the world for over 30
years! He plays throughout Hawaii seven nights a week and he still tours all over
the world. His genuine personality, captivating stage presence and timeless
music has made him one of the hardest working musicians in the business.

Kapena
Vocals and Drums
@penabu

Kapena DeLima has been a member of the group Kapena for over 15 years. He
began as the group’s keyboardist at only 11 years old and is now the drummer
and musical director. In 2009, Kapena graduated from Ex’pression College for
Digital Arts in Emeryville, California with a Bachelor’s of Science in Audio
Engineering. He is now the owner, head engineer and producer at Bu Print
Studios. In 2013, Kapena won his first Na Hoku Hanohano award for “Engineer
of the Year”. The following year, Kapena took home his second Na Hoku
Hanohano award for “Contemporary Album of the Year” for his first solo CD
titled “Cast Your Cares”. Kapena is one of the most sought after Studio Engineers
and musicians in the islands.

Kalenaku
Vocals and Keys
@kalenakudelima

Kalenaku DeLima has been the keyboardist and vocalist in the group Kapena
since 2006. She was classically trained in piano and voice for over 10 years.
She has held the lead female vocalist role in the Disney Aulani’s nighttime
show called the “Aulani Starlit Hui” since the opening of the hotel in 2011.
Kalena grew up singing Hawaiian Music and playing ukulele with her father in
Waikiki. She released her first Island Reggae single entitled, “Hideaway” in
2010 and with that release she earned her first Na Hoku Hanohano award
nomination. She graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor’s
Degree in English and is continuing her education in the New Media Arts
Interface Design program at Kapiolani Community College in hopes of
becoming the group’s in-house graphic designer and writer.

Lilo
Vocals and Bass Guitar
@lilodelima

Leolani “Lilo” DeLima has been with the group Kapena since 2009. In the past
few years, she has become well known for being one of the only regular gigging
female bassists in Hawaii. Lilo began playing bass in 2006 when her dad, Kelly
Boy DeLima, pushed her to start playing duo with him in Waikiki. She grew
exponentially at these nightly “gigs” with her dad and today she has grown to
be one of the most solid bass players in Hawaii. Lilo has gained success of her
own as a songwriter, as well. Her first single, titled “I Am A Queen” got her a
Na Hoku Hanohano award nomination and earned her the top spots on
Hawaii’s Island Reggae radio stations for months. Since then, she has gained
more success as a writer with songs “My Everything” featuring her sister,
Kalenaku and Josh Jones and her newest single, entitled “The Peasant and
The Queen” which features bass player of Steel Pulse, Amlak Tafari.