Kapenaʻs founder shares preview of show with Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

The band Kapena will celebrate more than 40 years of island music with a concert alongside the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell.

Some songs will be performed by just the band, while others will feature the orchestra. The concert will include songs such as “Reggae Train,” “I Am a Queen,” and “Masese,” the group’s founder, Kelly Boy De Lima, told Aloha State Daily.

Michael-Thomas Foumai, the composer in residence for the HSO, is calling it the “biggest back-up band that Kapena ever had,” with more than 80 members in the orchestra playing along with them, De Lima told ASD.

He expects “Reggae Train” to get people on their feet.

“People just get up and they start making a big train around the whole [venue],” he said. “The reggae train can go for the the whole circumference of the Waikīkī Shell. It's pretty amazing.”

For De Lima, this concert is also a chance to “fanman” the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, he told ASD. Several of his children took music lessons for classical instruments, he added.

“That night, I invite everybody to come. Please come and enjoy. I will be fan-manning up here. I don’t want to say fan girl,” he said, with a laugh. “I'll be one of the biggest fans up there on stage, just enjoying the evening.”

The five-piece band includes three generations of family: De Lima on ʻukulele and vocals; his son, Kapena, on keyboards and vocals; his daughter, Lilo, on bass and vocals; and his grandson, Kapena-Uriah De Lima on drums. Marcus Sarmiento plays electric guitar.

When asked which song is his favorite to perform, De Lima quickly named “Masese,” which the band will perform, along with the orchestra, at this concert. The song was written by his friend Sakiusa Bulicokocoko, he said. Initially, De Lima was not sure if the band should record it, but they did. He likes that it brings people to their feet, he said.

“It’s pretty crazy,” De Lima said.

The song took on a life of its own. Today, it is played in flight by Hawaiian Airlines. It is also played by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s marching band at games.

The original Kapena band included De Lima and the brother duo Teimoni and Tivaini Tatofi. After about 20 years of performing and recording music, the Tatofi brothers bowed out and De Lima added his three kids: Kapena, Kalena and Lilo. When Kalena joined husband Kalaʻe Parish as the musical duo Kalaʻe + Kalena, De Lima added his grandson, Kapena-Uriah De Lima, on drums.

“I think this is the best time of my career and my life,” De Lima said. “When you look back and think, everything you've been through — and you get to take [the] stage with your kids and your grandson. ʻEvery day is like Christmas.’”

Tickets start at $38.50 for lawn seating. Get tickets. Follow Kapena on Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.