Author: Wayne Harada

Posted on

ROBERT GOING BEYOND THE REEF

Lei Day is not quite over for Robert Cazimero, Hawaiʻi’s beloved Hawaiian song and dance luminary. Following his  glorious May Day concert May 1 at the Bishop Museum, the Merrie Monarch Festival-winning kumu hula, singer, songwriter, and entertainer will next stage his brand of Hawaiian artistry at 7 p.m. May 17 at Kahilu  Theatre in Waimea on the Big Island.

Next stops for Robert Cazimero: Big Island and Japan.

Cazimero , kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, is in the midst celebrating his 50th anniversary of his hula instruction and performances. And sharing his music beyond the reef is a wonderful gift for fans.

The Big Isle show will be his 39th annual appearance at the Kahilu venue, a tradition anticipated by area residents and folks from Kailua-Kona. Tickets are $40 and $70 at https://kahilu.org/events/robert-cazimero/#checkdates

But Keauhou, the trio comprised of Kamehameha School classmates Zachary Lum, Nicolas Lum and  Kahanuola Solatorio, won’t be Big Island-bound, as s erroneously tated in an earlier version of this column. “It’s my guys, BOB’S BOYS that will band with me. Richard, Keala and Kaipo. I will join Keaauhou as their backup in Tokyo.”

Keauhou is a 19-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning group that has emerged as Cazimero’s regular mele and hula group, providing vibrant support in his major Hawaiian shows. The Lum brothers also are members of Na Kamalei. But they have their own gigs, too.

Cazimero is expected to feature mele, storytelling and both ‘auana and kahiko hula. Obviously, the traveling cast will be downsized.

Cazimero will matdh up with Keauho in Japan, for a May 24 performance at Showa Joshi Daigaku, Hitomi Kinen Kodo. So, the aloha spirit and the Hawaiian vibes will make Nippon hula enthusiasts happy…

Electra Gailas dies at 103

Sorry to report the death of veteran actress Electra Gailas on May 3. She was born in Portland OR and was  age 103.

Electra Gailas, on “Five-O.”

 Gailas, formerly married to Dick Fair, was a veteran TV and stage actress, who appeared in seven episodes of the Jack Lord “Hawaii Five-0,” in the 1970s, and also  in “Fantasy Island.”

As a couple, Electra and Dick were notable for their performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf,” directed by the late Dave Donnelly, the columnist, at the Oumansky Magic Ring Theatre, operated by Alexander and Peggy Oumansky,  at the now-gone Terrace Lanai at the Hilton. The Oumanskys staged selective theater productions on weekends in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Electra hadn’t done theater for a while. She lived in Kailua with daughter Dietra, but  I hadn’t seen her since she was in her late 90s. She was generous and cheerful whenever I saw her or chatted on the phone, and she always  baked a Greek-style dessert bread on my birthday. If she was traveling, she’d deliver the goodie belatedly; she would insist on delivering the treat to my home or we’d meet up at sites like Costco. That’s the kind of soul she was…genuinely special. Prayers and condolences to her ‘ohana…

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

AFTER-PARTY FLAVOR AT LEI DAY

Billed as the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert, last night’s Lei Day extravaganza at Bishop Museum was sort of an after-party for core performers at the recent Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Indeed, Robert Cazimero and his hui of kane dancers in his Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua  swept the ‘auana and kahiko categories in the prestigious hula competition last weekend. A few numbers were repackaged for the Lei Day audience to examine and experience HNKOL’s signature choreography.

Robert Cazimero, at his white grand piano, festooned with yellow plumeria.

Clearly, some of the memorable Merrie moments still were swirling in the audience and it was Zachary Lum, Keauhou member, who wisely opined that Lei Day felt more like an “after -party” following Na Kamalei’s victories in Hilo.

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, doing hula kahiko at Lei Day “after party.”

For kumu hula Cazimero, this year marks the 50th anniversary of his leadership in training hula gents, and nostalgia was part of an unstated ingredient of Lei Day. Thus, appreciation and gratitude of his own kumu way back in the day — Maiki Aiu Lake—  still resonated, even if he has potential  to become his generation’s Maiki in theory and in practice.

Cazimero, on pahu.

At 76, Cazimero’s leadership and integrity have shaped his mission in life –  he lives and breathes hula to the max, teaching men to tell stories of life through song and dance—for more than half his life. Na Kamalei always has been a rarity, boasting men who not only dance, but sing mele and chants in Hawaiian.

But a new breeze of teamwork has been evolving in recent years.

Keauhou, the trio comprising brothers Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum, and their Kamehameha Schools classmate Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, have   become Cazimero’s “house band,” providing splendid vocals and instrumentals. In select instances, the Lum bros dance, too – they are Na Kamalei regulars and versatility is in their DNA. Keauhou’s excellence in traditional Hawaiian mele is admirable. And Zach’s leadership and performance traits could make him a kumu over the coming years.

Zach Lum and Nick Lum: Keauhou members who also do hula.
Kuana Torres Kahele

The death of Roland Cazimero, Robert’s inventive brother whose guitar skills and harmonics were key to the duo’s sound, left a void for several years. But for several months now, Kuana Torres Kahele  — himself a prolific trouper, who sings, composes songs, and plays ukulele and guitar, and fashions lei in-between — has enriched  the Caz sound. Kahele, a guest artist,  soared in his segment with Keauhou, rendering  beautiful mele like “Ke Anu O Waimea” and “’Ohu ‘ohu O ‘ahu,” two place songs, plus “E Ku‘u Lei,” with Cazimero joining in to fortify and punctuate the duet format.

Kaipo Hale

For special events like Lei Day, Cazimero tapped his  lifetime best-buddy Kaipo Hale,   to continue to join the Caz brand, as he previously has done. He brings the riches of a robust baritone voice and composing vibrancy to the party. Hale shared “Pauoa Hula,”  about his home community; his “Pua Melia ‘Ala Onaona” brought the Royal Dance Company  to the limelight; and his “Huapala Maka Onaona” featured Na  Kamalei. Natch, Keauhou, Cazimero and  Kahele provided support.

Alin “Gunny” Hanzawa

Two halau gents had solo dance moments.  Alvin “Gunny” Hanzawa, no longer a regular but still savvy of the skills he learned, flew in from California to participate,  a rare Japanese hula dancer. And veteran Keola “Bully” Makaiau, clad in the silver-grey  hinahina, had a solo moment with power and grace, unlike his often comedic participation in the monthly Full Moon concert gig with his kumu at Chef Chai’s.

Keola “Bully” MakaiU

Other guest dancers were Kina and Kalani, so there was no shortage of kane hula, and four veteran kumu including Vicky Holt Takamine, showed the audience how the old-timers swished and sashayed with traditional decorum to share their artistry.

On a tune entitled “Ka Lehua I Milia,” Cazimero reached upper-register notes to provide his, and the evening’s, most melodic and trusty tones, belting lyrics while at his grand piano.  It was the peak — the high point — of the evening’s cadence between ‘auana and kahiko gymnastics.

The finale, “Lei Puakenikeni,” tapped everyone in the cast, combining singers and dancers and musicians in uniformed bonding, like threading puakenikeni blossoms to create an immense, fragrant lei.

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

OH, LEI! IT’S MAY DAY IN HAWAII!

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua earned Merrie Monarch hula laurels last week.

Make a lei, wear a lei, give a lei!

That’s the May Day mantra, established some time ago by The Brothers Cazimero, when they made lei, donned lei, and shared lei to celebrate Lei Day.

 Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero, the surviving brother, has been carrying on the tradition, and he’s assembling his usual roster of singers and hula dancers, to stage the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert, at 7 p.m. tomorrow (May 1) at the Great Lawn at Bishop Museum.

Robert Cazimero, singer-kumu hula.

Show-goers will reflect a garden of blooms, wearing lei they’ve sewn, , they’ve purchased, or braided if it’s faux lei (hey, some are gorgeous!) The dude to look for on stage is entertainer and lei-maker extraordinare Kuana Torres Kahele, who grows flowers in his yard and creates the most exquisite lei imaginable. He’ll be in the cast, so zoom in on his superative leis.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner and beverage service. VIP guests will be privy to premier seating and a Hawaiian meal curated by the Highway Inn restaurant, with service terminating at 7 p.m., when the show begins. VIPs will get a drink ticket, assigned to their table number, with a Hawaiian Air lei greeting upon arrival. Other amenities will be provided by participating sponsors. Hawaiian Host, Hawaiian pie Company, and NOHO Home.

Another image of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, at Merrie Monarch.

Supplementary food vendors will provide additional cravings and drinks; outside food and beverages are not allowed, so leave your ice chests and munchies at home.

Led by Cazimero, the concert also features  Keauhou, 19-time-Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners, and Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, his dancing and singing corps of male hula dancers, which copped laurels at last week’s Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including Kane Overall Winner, Kane Kahiko Winner and Kane  ‘Auana Winner.

Keauhou’s Zach Lum is hosting the event, and will be joined by fellow group members Nick Lum (Zach’s brother) and Jonah Solatorio.

Kuana Torres Kahele, lei-maker extraordinaire.

Other participants include Kaipo Hale, the aforementioned Kuana Torres Kahele, Keola Maka’iau, Gunnie Hanzawa, the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company and co-hosts Billy V (TV host)  and Debbie Nakanelua-Richards (director of community and cultural relations at title sponsors Hawaiian Airlines).

Expect a few surprises, too.

The Hawaiian Airlines May Day concert will be broadcast live on mele.com and KFVE. Those attending the show – and others unable to be at the live performance — may watch the telecast afterwards via abroadcast-on-demand on mele.com

Tickets: visit mele.com …

———————————————–

Kalani Pea’s May Day will be belated

Kalani Pe’a

Kalani Pe‘a, three-time Grammy Award winner, will stage his May Day concert belatedly, at 6 p.m. Saturday (May 3) at the Hawaii Theatre. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Guest artists include Sean Na‘auao, Sonny Ching, Lopaka Igarta-De Vera. Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughn-Darval, Kau‘I Kamana‘o, Kunewa Mook, Shelsea Lilia Ai, Carolee Nishi, Krystal Yamamura,  Antonio “Akoni”  Robles and five hula halau. Mele Apana will host.

Tickets $57.50 to $162.50, at www.hawaiitheatre.com 

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

DELIMA HAS REMEDY FOR VOG DELIMMA

Leave it to comedian Frank DeLima, to put a spin on the ongoing vog – volcanic fog, for those new to the pain it causes.

DeLima, who relocated to Las Vegas in January, citing retirement from the Honolulu comedy scene, has created the perfect lament to vog. He borrows John Paul Young’s sweet ballad, “Love Is in the Air,” and hits the right nerves, lyrically and vocally, in his parody of the gray skies loaded with volcanic fog from the ongoing Kilauea eruption.

Released today, “Vog” is the perfect tonic for those with teary eyes, sniffling noses and understandable discomfort for the common discomfort when Madame Pele is spewing smoke from the lava oozing on the Big Island. Kona wind is how the vog reaches Honolulu.

Looking and sounding good, DeLima is at his best with this one.

He writes and sings:

“Everywhere you turn around

“Vog stay in da air

“”Makes you squint makes you frown

“Stay outside running around is foolish

“Stay inside windows and doors shut is wise

“No mattah you gotta believe it

“Wen volcanoes erupt it’s da prize.”

Mixing just enough pidgin and expressing  local-style grief, he offers reaction and effects of the vog.

“Make dull, the moon and sun.”

“The sky is grey, not blue.”

“Turn da sinus all brown.”

Enough pilikia, might as stay home and turn on the AC, if you have, yeah?

Will post this column for the Facebook crowd, and yep, he delivers the ditty with perfection. Can’t post video here, so visit https://www.facebook.com/wayne.harada.5

Resourceful radio stations should keep this one, for the current eruption phase, and future ones…

And that’s Show Biz…