Services were held Saturday for Malani Bilyeu, one of the founding members of the musical group Kalapana.

Bilyeu died last month of a heart attack at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife Crystal and seven children.

Family and friends filled Kawaiahao Church Saturday to remember the local boy with a gift who grew up in Palama.

His cousin Sen. Donna Mercado Kim said, “He could hear a song one time on the radio and he could play it. He was so gifted. He could play the guitar, the harmonica, any instrument he could pick up. He was just so gifted and just a beautiful voice and I always knew that he would be a star one day. I always knew that.”

Bilyeu will be laid to rest at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Monday, January 14 at 10:00a.m.