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 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 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 and now performs nightly in the new Disney Luau show called “Ka Wa’a”. 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 then continued her education in the New Media Arts Interface Design program at Kapiolani Community College. Kalena is currently the group’s in-house graphic designer and writer. In 2017, the group Kapena released their first full length family album titled “Palena ‘Ole”. That release earned the band four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Album Of The Year and Group Of The Year.
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. In 2017, Lilo become a featured artist who is sponsored by Kala ‘Ukulele. She received a beautiful solid body, Koa California U-Bass and performs regularly with that bass throughout Waikiki. Check out more about her sponsorship at our blog here. In 2017, the group Kapena released their first full length family album titled “Palena ‘Ole”. That release earned the band four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Album Of The Year and Group Of The Year.