Share and Follow
KAPOLEI, HI (KHON) – For the Dela Cruz quintuplets, life has always been an adventure.
Now, the “quints” Kapena, Kamali‘i, Kupono, Keahi, and Kaolu have found a new passion that keeps them moving: inline hockey.
The five siblings, along with their older brother Makaio, have immersed themselves in the sport, practicing several times a week at Kapolei Inline Hockey Arenas.
It wasn’t a planned path, according to their parents, Marcie and Rey Dela Cruz.
“We wanted something that they could all do together,” Marcie said. “We tried different sports, but some liked them, and some didn’t. So we started with skating lessons, and when they saw kids playing hockey, their interest grew. We didn’t anticipate we’d be playing hockey honestly.”
Now, the quintuplets are split into different teams based on skill level, but even when competing against each other, their connection is undeniable.
“They don’t always listen,” said Makaio, laughing about his younger siblings. “So sometimes, we have to yell a little bit.”
Kamali‘i, the only girl, holds her own among her brothers. “When I first started, it was tricky,” she said. “But when I got better, it became more fun.”
The siblings are competitive but maintain a tight-knit bond both on and off the rink. Whether they’re shouting for a pass, challenging each other to a race, or simply roughhousing in between plays, their energy is endless.
“It’s really hard and stressful when they’re fighting,” Kamali‘i admitted, as one of her brothers quickly chimed in, “What do you mean?”
Despite the chaos, their parents wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s just our life,” Marcie said. “Our normal isn’t anyone else’s normal, but we try to expose them to different things.”