I know I do not speak alone when I say that it is probably every parent's secret (or public, for some) to wish for their posterity to carry on a legacy of what they have been taught by yourself and other family members . . . well for Kelly-Boy Delima, founder of one of the most loved Hawaiian Contemporary musical groups of our time, Kapena, his dream has now become a reality, with the recent release of their first ever family CD, "Kupu A`e" (symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace),  where he performs with wife Leolani, son Kapena (20), and daughters Kalena (17), and Lilo (14). So if you are one of the MANY fans who have been waiting for a family CD, your time has now come!

I've known for awhile now that the family was a pretty musical one, but not until recently seeing them perform, and now listening to their first ever family CD, which was released March 1, did I see each person's individual talent in the family, blended together for the CD, for a harmonious, and easy listening sound that is really sweet, appealing, and upbeat ... for me, it was an "about time" feeling; I've known Kelly-Boy for awhile now, and he and his family are truly some of the most loving and kindest souls I've met - always full of aloha, and all of them with those auras and smiles that can captivate any audience!  Each song was not only carefully arranged to suit the strengths of each individual family member, but to give the CD a variety, and with careful song selection, something to suit all tastes. It leaves you wanting more. The vocal talents of the females of the group astounded me; although I knew that Leo (Kelly-Boy's wife of 22 years) was talented, this was the first time I had seen her highlighted to truly showcase her beautiful voice. All in all, the CD was definitely something I'd highly recommend you adding to your collection.

I wanted to know what spurred the "birth" of a family-based CD. Said Kelly-Boy, "It really was a natural evolution. This family CD began with my son, Kapena who showed interest in music at a young age. Then Kalena Koo came along and was blessed with falsetto singing. Lilo filled the void when her brother left for college. My wife, Leolani (Leo) sang background vocals for many years and we wanted to showcase her as a lead vocalist. People requesting a CD was really the reason for creating it."  I had heard her voice, as Kelly-Boy mentioned, many times before, and wondered, "Where's the rest of it!  Don't give me just sample!"  All kidding put aside, I had wanted her thoughts on working with her husband on their first ever full length release, and the history behind her musical career. "When I met Kelly in my 20's I was a struggling singer trying to get a band together. I was auditioning with bands, etc. When I got married and had children I let those dreams take the backseat," says Leolani. Well take a backseat it did, as she focused on her marriage (this year makes 22 years strong!), and their three children, Kapena, Kalena, and Lilo. Quips Leo, "My dream was to sing with a killer band. Wow, I married the leader and gave birth to the rest of the band. How's that?  My husband told me, `not everybody gets a second chance to live a dream.'  I am blessed to have a dream and watch it blossom with the four loves of my life - my husband and three children."


I've watched their oldest son, Kapena, the originating band's namesake, blossom ... I remember watching him at concerts and performances, playing every instrument he put his hands on thinking, WOW ... and now, he's coming into his own as a full-fledged musician filling the very large shoes of the musical legacy his father has left behind. Currently set to graduate from Expressions College in San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Sound Arts, Kapena gave me his thoughts on the family's involvement and influence on his career choice. "It has completely affected my career and school choice. I knew at a young age exactly what my place was in music. Engineering was a dream and will soon be a reality. In the music business there is two parts to it. First, music. My Dad taught me everything I know about music. Here in college I continue to practice daily on all the musical instruments I took with me to perfect my craft. Second-business. My mom has been the business manager for years. The education I have gotten here will be priceless in years to come and I know I can count on my mom to help me in this area if I ever need help," remarks Kapena.


Next are the girls of the Delima family, Kalena and Lilo. Both have huge aspirations and have promising careers as musicians. "I would like to continue playing music with my family and to strive to do better," says Kalena. Says Lilo, "I'd like to be the best female bass player in the entire world."  The girls have looked up to a few in the musical realm. For Kalena, its Alicia Keys. Why?  Responds Kalena, "Because she not only has a beautiful voice, but she is well educated and a talented musician."  Lilo's musical inspiration and role model, is none other than her brother, Kapena (how cute!), and when asked why, she responds with a quick, "Because he is the bomb!"


So producing, performing, and basically living and working with your family, I wanted to go "behind the scenes" and talk about what it was really like to work, breathe, eat, live and basically be with your family 24/7. When asked what some of the rewards and challenges were of the situation, family members gave me their thoughts. For Lilo, "We all show up with the right uniform, and show up on time!"  But on the other hand, says Lilo, "You have to spend a lot of time with them."  Dad Kelly-Boy adds, "My real challenge was when the kids were younger. They weren't at the professional level they are at now; and I had to carry all of their instruments because they were too small. I often wondered if it would pay off."  So my question to Kelly-Boy. Did it?  "It paid off, big time!" says Kelly-Boy. He goes on to talk about the benefits of actually performing with your

According to mom, Leo, "The only challenge is sometimes I think Kelly is hard on the kids and I try to smooth things out as a mom. He really has a high bar of excellence which isn't bad, but sometimes I think it might be too much. We all have bad days or off days. That's when I try to be, like Lilo said (see below), `the buffer.'  In all I know he loves them and in everything he has taught them, no matter how strict he was, will be for their ultimate benefit."  However the rewards, from Leo's point of view, the rewards are endless. To name a few, " I know where my kids are and what they are doing. We spend more time with them then most parents. They have good work ethics. They're learning a craft. They have a sense of pride knowing they are helping their family," says Leo.


Veteran and oldest band member, Kapena, had it harder growing up as not only the first younger Delima to play with his father's band, as he says, "Everything was a challenge. I was the first kid to perform with my Dad`s band, so my sisters were just walking in my footsteps. They got it easier than me!"  However the rewards for Kapena, are priceless-"I am living my dream," says Kapena. He started performing with his father and the band at the young age of five years old, and performing as a duo with Dad from the early age of ten.

Kalena sums it up humorously with the biggest drawback to working with family, in her opinion, when she says "You aren't allowed to be mad with your band members because they know where you sleep at night."

So whether you fall in love with this wonderful family's story, or like myself, just love the family PERIOD, you will not be disappointed in picking up this month's latest CD release, "Kupu A`e."  

I did something a little "fun" in this month's column and wanted the Delima `ohana to play a little game and give me one word responses regarding the rest of their family. Thought my readers would love to see this!  Enjoy!
 

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