Frank De Lima, a beloved comedian and entertainer in Hawaii, is set to celebrate his 50th anniversary in local entertainment with a special show at the Blue Note Hawaii on Dec. 15. At the event, De Lima promises to bring back some of his most popular comic characters from over the years, including his Filipino Christmas tree, Chinese man, and sumo wrestler.
Joined by his longtime sidemen, guitarist Robert “Bobby” Nishida and keyboardist David Kauahikaua, De Lima reflects on his multicultural upbringing and how it influenced his comedic style. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood, he observed and imitated various ethnicities, which later became the foundation of his shows.
Having started his career as a comedian after studying to become a Catholic priest, De Lima has since become a household name in Hawaii for his colorful characters and hit parodies of national songs. His consistent success as a showroom entertainer and recording artist has earned him multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts.
In addition to his entertainment career, De Lima has also dedicated himself to the Student Enrichment Program, providing drug education and prevention services to schools in Hawaii. Although he will be stepping back from school shows after this month, De Lima’s impact on generations of students will be remembered fondly.
Fans can catch De Lima’s 50th anniversary show at the Blue Note Hawaii, where tickets are available for purchase. The event will showcase his iconic characters and comedic talents that have entertained audiences for five decades.
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