Malani Bilyeu Memorial Fund

Memorial Services set for Sat., Jan. 12, 1-5pm at Kawaiahao Church
Burial will be on Mon., Jan 14, 10am at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe

Carl James "Malani"   Bilyeu grew up in Kalihi-Palama.  He lived with my aunt and uncle in the ground floor unit  and I lived in the unit directly above.  Malani and I attended Kalakaua Intermediate and Farrington High School where we walked to school almost every morning together. 

He spent a lot of time upstairs with me where I held recording sessions with him on my little reel-to-reel tape recorder.  I knew back then that he was gifted.  He had a natural ear for music and could sing and play the guitar by just listening to song once on the radio.  I told him that he would be a "star" one day. 
His stardom began in high school when he joined the "Kalihi Phantoms" with John Ogen, James "Kimo" Cornwell, Dickie Urata,  Glenn Yoshida and Greg Okuma.

In 1973 he joined with Mackey Feary, David John (DJ) Pratt and Kirk Thompson to form Kalapana.  I remember how excited he was when they first performed at Rainbow Villa and "The Toppe Ada Shoppe".

For over 4 decades, Hawaii and the world has been entertained with the musical talents of Malani and Kalapana. 

Malani is survived by his wife Crystal, his seven children, grandchildren, his aunt Eva,  and so many friends and fans.

As an entertainer Malani had no medical plan, retirement or pension.  Like so many artists, he lived from gig to gig.  

Please kokua and help fund his medical, funeral and memorial expenses in Honolulu and on Kauai thru this Memorial Fund.  Let's remember Malani and give him our fondest Aloha!

Donations can also be made at any First Hawaiian Bank branch under Friends of Malani Bilyeu.

Mahalo,
Donna