Category: Music

‘Twas a month before Christmas

At Blaisdell Concert Hall;

Honolulans were having

An early yuletide ball.

Bandmaster Clarke Bright

And his Royal Hawaiian Band

Were sharing a holiday show

With guests oh so grand.

Like Henry and Karen

Raiatea, Malia, Starr,

And Kamehameha choir youths

The eve’s best charmers, by far…

OK, enough with the rhymes. The evening was themed “Kalikimaka Ho‘omau” (“It’s Christmas Every Day”), a freebie staged by the City and County of Honolulu as the town’s annual yule time community highlights.

It’s a marvelous gift of song and artistry for the citizenry, and most gratifying was to watch the ordinary folks parading down the aisles seeking seats. The elderly, many in wheelchairs or utilizing canes, were assisted by ‘ohana to secure the best viewing locations. Many brought in bentos, not a proper thing since food is not allowed in the Concert Hall, but didn’t see anyone getting questioned, though the aroma of kau kau (and this was no luau) was improper.

Kala‘i Stern, RHB Glee Club leader, emceed the program, which showcased island music, hula, and novelty and traditional Christmas favorites. For variety, the RHB Big Band as well as the ‘Ohana Jazz Trio with guest artists provided variety, while simultaneously showcasing the depth and versatility of our homegrown cultural asset.

Many came to hear and rally for Henry Kapono, perhaps the state’s must active artist who shared some of his signature tunes: “Home in the Islands,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I Wish Christmas Was Everyday” and “Merry Christmas To You.”

Starr Kalahiki provided a sultry, sensational “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells,” and she was clad in a sleek red gown of renown. The tune, and arrangement, has ties with singer Frank Sinatra’s“Jingle Bells” recording, which has the clever spelling of “jingle” in the verse

Raiatea Helm, who has a new Christmas album this year, rendered three tunes, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and a poignant “Ave Maria.” Her poufy top was an indescribably oversized creation in white/yellow, worn over a silvery and glittering bottom. And she chose to have a  lengthy pigtail  dangling over her left shoulder, and a large floral accessory over her left ear completed her holiday glam look

Karen Keawehawai‘i also was abloom, a reddish-pinkish garden of sorts in her first time on stage, singing “Ku’u Hoa” while dancers from Ka La “Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e” did the hula.  And for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,”  Keawehawai‘i  donned beaucoup yellow plumeria over her left ear. Festive and plentiful, which is her common trademark look.

Malia Ka‘ai chose white anthuriums, worn over her right ear, when she shared the hypnotic “O Holy Night,” with the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, conducted by Lynell Bright, offering backup vocals. She displayed power and range in her vocal dynamics.

The Kamehameha youths clearly were the evening’s favorite, thanks to their signature hit, “Hawaiian Rolle Coast Ride,” heard in this year’s box office hit, the live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” though the kiddie fave also has had a life outside film exposure. The chorus is a treasure and a treat.

The ‘Ohana Jazz Trio, guest artists, had the moves and the grooves to please the audience and blended well with the RHB. Noel Okimoto (drums), Dean Taba (bass) and Tommy James (piano) are also known as soloists.

Emcee Stern also is a solo singer, and demonstrated ease and efficiency in his “Christmas in Hawaii” number, augmented by hula dances Kanani Oliveira and Ku‘uei Hazlewood.

Bandmaster Bright continues to carry on the legacy of the Royal Hawaiian Band, whose roots to Hawaiian monarchy make it a unique organization in annals of performing arts. The band also boasts a number of star musicians and arrangers in the ranks, and the band’s link with a cultural ambassador, kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, is yet another stitch of authenticity in the organization’s rich legacy…

And that’s Show Biz…

As his slate of Christmas season concerts nears in December,  entertainer Robert Cazimero is thankful and hopeful that his shows at Chef Chai will proceed without incident.

He’s spoken with Pomaikai Shishido, new owner of the restaurant – Chef Chai – and is thankful that his dinner show performances Dec. 16 through 20 are on solid ground. A capacity crowd has reserved tables and there could be space, pending cancellations.

Cazimero also is hopeful that his performances will continue through 2026. “We had some talks with him (Shishido) about future dates next year,” he said.

Cazimero did just one show, earlier this week, since chef Chai Chaowasaree exited the restaurant  to return to Thailand to be at the side of his fragile mother, 95, who was injured in a fall.

His fate – and the entertainment issue — had not been mentioned in earlier media reports about Chef Chai’s ownership status; the restaurant had been issued a “red” placard by the Hawaii Department of Health and was forced to close but an updated inspection resulted in a “green” placard to reopen and proceed with updated valid permits.

It’s still an open question, whether  Chaowasaree wants to return to Hawaii some day if possible, with due diligence; he could have the opportunity to possibly return in the future with proper immigration validation.

Cazimero had a brief phone chat with Chaowasaree from Thailand, and the chef said  “it’s not easy,” about his current status.

Cazimero’s  informal shows – he plays on a grand piano, a gift from Chaowasaee years ago – had  been earlier called Full Moon Concerts, with the playdates on or near full moon dates on the lunar calendar, but eventually the dates became fluid, depending on his availability and travel agenda, and some months he stages more than one concert. Like the December playdates.

In a bizarre atmosphere in Waikiki, where resort hotels have shuttered  nearly all showrooms and  essentially have minimized the hiring of notable entertainers like the old days, an entertainer like Cazimero has to think outside the box, and set anchor where there’s opportunity. Chaowasaree hired Cazimero to perform at Chai’s Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace, when he featured entertainment beside his popular cuisine. Before Chef Chai opened on Kapiolani Boulevard, Chaowasaree gifted Cazimero with a grand piano where it is housed in a corner of the restaurant. The theory was that Cazimero – who became a solo act, after his brother Roland died – would always have a home (and piano) where he could strut his stuff.

Other options could materialize for Cazimero; his former employer, Kelvin Ro (formerly of Kahala Moon, where Cazimero serenaded, and now proprietor of Diamond Head Market and Grill) recently hired a new partner, Jason Peel, to create menu specials and develop a new weekend option, a brunch show on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The deal is so new, there’s no ink on a contract yet, but guess who they’re gunning for, to provide the brunch music. Shhhh. It’s still a secret…

Odom’s return to ‘Hamilton’ fuels grosses

“Hamilton” continues to sit atop the weekly Broadway grosses, with $3.8 million earned for the week ending Nov. 16. The performance is fueled by Leslie Odom Jr.’s limited 12-week return to the cast in his Tony-winning Aaron Burr role.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” zoomed to No. 2, toppling “Wicked” to No. 3:

The Top 10:

1 – “Hamilton,” $3.852 million

2 –- “Harry Potter and the Cursed- Child,” $2.594 million

3 –- “Wicked,” $2.389 million

4 –- “Chess,” $1.779 million

5 — “The Lion King,” $1.760 million

6 –- “Mamma Mia!,” $1.582 million

7 –- “Waiting for Godot,” $1.539 million

8 –- “ART,” $1.535 million

9 — “Just in Time,” $1.426 million

10 –- “Death Becomes Her,” $1.286 million

The complete list for the week, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…