MP3 The De Lima Ohana - Kupu A´e

This cd celebrates the essence of popular Hawaiian music.

12 MP3 Songs in this album (48:33) !
Related styles: WORLD: Hawaiian, EASY LISTENING: Adult contemporary

People who are interested in Don Ho Kapena should consider this download.


Details:
Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family. The De Limas and their extended family have a musical legacy that goes back generations, but for now, we'll start with just the members of this group. This debut CD titled, "Kupu A'e" represents a new unfurling fern frond and symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace, a metaphor that describes this family.

Father, Kelly De Lima, who envisioned this group shortly after the birth of his first child, is the leader of this quintet. The De Lima Ohana was not only a dream for Kelly, but the culmination of years of hard work as he carefully groomed and taught each member everything he knew about music. Being the founder of the band Kapena, Hawaii's premiere musical group, has placed him at the forefront of the contemporary island music scene since the 1980's. Because of that experience, Kelly brings a strength and an accountability to his family to strive for excellence in every area of the music business.

Mother, Leolani De Lima, has studied voice for over 23 years and has a love for classical music that is displayed in the Hawaiian song "Pa'au'au Waltz". She makes appearances with the De Lima Ohana on special occasions. She was a semi-finalist in 2005 for the Hawaii Art Song Contest. It is during this time she learned of a great grand aunt, Nani Alapai (pronounced Alapa'i), who sang with the Royal Hawaiian Band in the early 1900's. Author Charmian London wrote of Nani Alapai's unique voice saying "her voice is remarkable, and I never heard another of its kind". Leolani's parents, "The Naipo Serenaders" performed in Waikiki for over 30 years and her brother, Daniel Naipo of the Na Hoku Hanohano award winning group, Na Kama, continues her family's musical legacy.

Eldest child and only son, Kapena, was born in March 1988 and will graduate in 2009 from a college in San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Sound Arts degree. At age 5, he made his first public appearance with his Dad's band as a performer at the Waikiki Shell. At age 10, he started performing with his Dad as a duo at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. He's proficient in multiple instruments which include piano, bass, ukulele, guitar, steel guitar, and drums. On this CD he tracked two songs, and also added Hawaiian lap steel guitar to several tracks, via the internet while he was away at school. He has taken private voice, piano, drum, and steel guitar lessons starting at the age of 5. One of his most beloved teachers was legendary steel guitarist, Jerry Byrd. One of Kapena's most treasured gifts was given to him by Jerry right before his passing. He entrusted Kapena with some of his hand written notations on his steel guitar techniques. Kapena referred to those very notes while producing this CD.

Oldest daughter, Kalena was born in October 1991 and will graduate from high school in 2009. She joined the De Lima Ohana when she was 12-years-old. At that time the group consisted of Kelly on guitar and Kapena on bass; when Kalena joined she supplied the rhythm on ukulele. During this time she studied and fell in love with the Hawaiian style of falsetto singing, known as leo ki'eki'e, in which singers emphasize the break (in Hawaiian, ha'i ) between their lower and upper vocal registers. She shows off her falsetto soprano voice on one of Aunty Genoa Keawe's signature songs, "Alika". She has taken private voice, piano, drum, and saxophone lessons starting at 5-years-old.

Youngest child, Lilo was born in November 1994. She is presently a freshman in high school. She started playing with the family band at the age of 12. The De Lima Ohana needed a bass player while Kapena was away at school and Lilo filled that position. She has been taking private voice, piano, trumpet, and bass guitar lessons starting at the age of 5. Being the youngest has its benefits. She has watched and learned from her two older siblings.

We handpicked these songs because they were the most requested and loved by local fans and tourists who came to our performances. We pay tribute to our mentors and our idols as we dedicate "I'll Remember You" to the late, great Don Ho: You will always be "Mr. Waikiki" to us and Waikiki will never be the same without you. Kelly will always remember your generosity when you shared your stage with him as a young musician.

To Aunty Genoa Keawe, we dedicate "Alika" as we remember your kind and encouraging words to Kalena and Lilo at stage side while on break at the Waikiki Marriott.

Our last dedication, "Aloha Tears", is to Jerry Byrd who said "With every chord on the steel guitar comes a story" -- We will truly miss you and your stories.

The songs on this CD are very dear to our hearts. We only hope that you can hear the joy and the love that our family shares in this Hawaiian music.

From our family to yours - Aloha,
The De Lima Ohana