Aloha, Kapena

KAPENA DELIMA, namesake and drummer/keyboardist of the band Kapena, got a big send-off last Friday when he played his "off to college" show with the band at Gordon Biersch. Kapena, 18, made his debut as a band member at the 2006 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, but now that he's graduated from high school, he's taking time off to get a bachelor's degree in digital sound arts at Expressions College, a performing arts school in San Francisco. Kapena has already produced albums here, and will be enrolled in an accelerated program that will get him his degree in 2 1/2 years.

Kapena's mother, Leolani DeLima, and his younger sister, Lilo, cheered him on from the audience.

David "Davey D" Daniels of KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE fame stopped by with a big basket of "necessities" for all mainland-bound college students: rice, a rice cooker and plenty of Spam.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kapena DeLima, second from left, poses with his sister Kalena DeLima, left, David "Davey D" Daniels, Leolani DeLima, Kelly DeLima, Kainoa Delo and Salaam Tilman. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Geoff Pangman, in middle, enjoyed the vibe with Georgine Flores, left, Abbey Doe, Jana Ayers, Lori Okamoto, Cathy Taketa and Stacey Smith. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kapena's uncles, Danny Naipo, left, and Solo Pamatigan, and his cousin Isaiah Pamatigan played a set. CLICK FOR LARGE

John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972. Contact him at jberger@starbulletin.com.