Lehua Kalima

Lehua Kalima was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii and graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1984.  Born into a family of musicians - her father and his siblings were known as the "Hilo Kalimaʻs" - and encouraged by her mom to play the piano from the age of 3 - this mix of nature and nurture provided the perfect catalyst for a lifetime love and respect for music of all genreʻs. 

In the 5th grade, as many children in Hawaii do, she picked up the `ukulele and in the 7th grade the guitar and cello.  In high school she learned to play the upright bass and in her junior year joined the Kamehameha Concert Glee club.  It was here that she partnered up with two other friends and created a trio which accompanied the hula dancers in their glee club.  This group soon came to be called Na Leo Pilimehana and in their senior year of high school they won a state-wide high school talent competition named Brown Bags to Stardom.  Their prize was to record a 45 rpm of their original song "Local Boys" which become an instant hit and launched a lifelong career.  Releasing more than 25 albums worldwide, and the recipients of over 20 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy Awards), 40 years later - Na Leo Pilimehana continues to entertain audiences around the world.  

In 2011, Lehua ventured out with a solo project called Rising in Love.  Soon she and her producer and great friend Shawn Pimental were  performing together - promoting her solo album -  and later found a niche for themselves in the Hawaiian music scene as a contemporary duo.  They continue to play today for various events and venues throughout Hawaii.

In 2020, in the midst of the Covid shutdown, Lehua and Shawn joined forces with another well-known musical artist in Hawaii, Kawika Kahiapo, and formed a trio named Kulāiwi and along with their hula dancer Pono Fernandez they sought to connect with their audiences through  mele aloha `āina - songs which spoke to their love of their native lands of Hawai`i and contemporary  issues affecting the culture.  In 2021 they released an album called Kulāiwi Native Lands, and were blessed to receive 4 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2022 for Group of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year and the prestigious Album of the Year.  Kulāiwi continues to tour and record.

Perfoming within three very different groups at the same time does require some juggling, but it all works out and she wouldn't have it any other way.  Add to that Lehuaʻs "day-job" as a Realtor at ADG Realty in her new home of Las Vegas, NV and one might think sheʻs a little crazy - but like the adage says "Find something you love to do and you will never work a day in your life."