Frank De Lima Making a Difference

By Steve Kajihiro

During the University of Hawai’i football team’s run to the 2008 Allstate Sugar Bowl, I was impressed with Frank De Lima’s generosity. Frank composed three songs to honor the Hawai’i Warriors and gave them away for free. His generosity prompted me to visit his website, where I learned of his passion to helping the children of Hawai’i. This led to an interview with Frank De Lima, where I wanted to show everyone a side of Frank that most don’t see.

While growing up in Hawai’i, one of my best memories from elementary school was watching Frank De Lima speak and perform for us in the school’s cafeteria. One of things that I did not know about Frank De Lima was that he is not only funny but he was also trying to teach us students a lesson and make a difference in our lives.

Everyone who grew up in Hawai’i knows Frank De Lima, but for those who don’t, Frank is one of the legends of comedy in Hawai’i. Frank is known for his skits and his ethnic jokes, such as his Portuguese or “Pawdagee” jokes. He has done musical parodies like the famous “Lucille” and to that same tune, his Warrior free song, “What June Jones, You Going Leave Us Now?” Frank has also won numerous Na Hoku Hanohano Awards which is Hawai’i’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards.

Prior to becoming a comedian, Frank attended the seminary for eight years studying to be a Catholic priest. During those years, he worked at the Catholic Youth Organization every summer, learning lots of fun songs and skits that children enjoy.

However, while living the parish life for almost a year, Frank realized that with his personality, he could not emotionally handle the demands, which comes along with priesthood. Frank then left the seminary and became a comedian. One of the things that inspired him in becoming a comedian goes back to his childhood days. Frank said, “I was a kid that liked to imitate and started doing skits from as far back as I can remember. I started professionally in 1975.” He said his biggest supporters are his mother Pearl, his manager Millie Fujinaga, family, friends and a lot of local entertainers.

But once Frank became established as a local comedian in Hawai’i, he felt that there was something more he needed to do for the kids. He said, “When I was a kid, I loved Bozo the Clown and Captain Kangaroo and listened to them when they gave their words of wisdom. I thought I could do the same, and started my program.”

That program is the Frank De Lima Student Enrichment Program. In 1980, Frank personally made a commitment to make a positive difference in every child’s life in Hawai’i by dedicating his time doing yearly presentations at elementary and intermediate schools around the islands.  Today, he visits over 160 schools a year!  It takes two years to cycle through the 300 schools in Hawai’i. 

He believes that with his comedy he could teach the students the importance of education, family, and humor. Frank has several different age appropriate presentations and one of the things he teaches is the “3 Bs”. Frank describes the 3 Bs as: Being safe, Being responsible and Being respectful.

As I reflect back to my elementary school days, whether I knew it back then or not, Frank did make a difference in my life and I’m sure he touched many of my friends’ lives, too. So the next time you see Frank De Lima perform tell him, “thank you!” for everything he does for the children of Hawai`i.

Frank will be performing on the following dates and locations:

• Friday, May 9th at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
• Sunday, May 11th at the Pagoda Hotel for Mother’s Day brunch and dinner shows
• Friday and Saturday, May 16th and 17th at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center
• Sunday, June 15th at the Dots in Wahiawa for Father’s Day brunch and dinner shows
• Saturday, November 1st at the California Hotel in Las Vegas

For more information or to donate to Frank De Lima’s Student Enrichment Program, visit his website at: www.frankdelima.com.

Steve Kajihiro is a 1989 graduate of Aiea High School and an alumnus of the University of Hawai’i. Steve is the owner and photographer for JAMK Photography in Everett, WA.  And Steve is also the owner of Island Sports Media.