music in her
grandparents' music room while memorizing songs in musicals such
as "Phantom of the Opera", "Grease" and "Evita". In elementary
school in Kihei, Maui, she was trained with the TrebleMakers
choir and performed at local venues. Then, she and her best
friend became the musical duo known as "Hapalicious" and began
writing and performing their own songs at schools and events
from the Marriott Luau to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center with
the Brown Ohana. Her biggest musical influences were Selena and
Mariah Carey. "I used to listen to their songs and sing along
over and over on the microphone as a child every day after
school".
Leilani's first professional venture was to join the band "One
Inity" at the age of 15 as their lead female singer. She
co-wrote and composed "Greener" on One Inity's first album.
"Greener" became the most requested song on the Big Island
within three days of the album's release, and soon became a
worldwide hit from the Caribbean to South America, Africa to
Tahiti, making the top 100 list on the World/Reggae Billboard
Charts.
One Inity soon became known as "The Black-Eyed Peas of the
Pacific". However, Leilani felt her opportunities growing
elsewhere and left the band to go solo as "Leylani" in 2011.
Leylani and her new solo team produced and released "Meant to
Be" in 2011, and a remake of "It Must Have Been Love" in 2012.
Both made it to the top five in Hawaii's playlists.
With One Inity, she opened for Kymani Marley, Ekolu and Slightly
Stoopid among many others. Frequent gigs with the band all over
Hawaii have honed her performing skills, but taxed her vocal
cords. Training with Lani Star gave her tools to expand her
range and handle the stress of non-stop singing. Since her solo
launch she has been recording more songs in preparation for her
first EP release and has been performing with Kalisi, and Lia
Live & The Kryptones.
"I hear so many great things from my fans about how my music
affects their lives and how they can relate to the stories I
share in my music. It has really made me conscious of how I live
my life and want to be a positive influence." As Leylani
finishes her EP "Meant to Be", she remains the consummate
performer, sharing her love of island culture as a hula dancer
at the "Grand Luau of Honua'ula" at the Grand Wailea. She has
been a professional luau performer since the age of 14.
"My dream, though, has always been to be a singer. Not
necessarily to be famous, but to make a living doing what I
love. That's my ultimate goal. I'm so appreciative of having the
family support to help me follow my dreams!"