May 5 is Boy”s Day, when familiesfly carp
HAPPY BOY’S DAY, FELLAS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
‘SUNSET’ CANCELED, BULLHORN FILLS IN
Even with the ol’ adage, “The show must go on,” the show couldn’t continue for Hawaii’s Nicole Scherzinger on Broadway this past Wednesday (April 23) afternoon.
At a matinee performance of her “Sunset Blvd.” hit at the St. James Theatre on Broadway, a technical mishap forced the cancellation of the show.
Frustrating, yes, but inventive Scherzinger – starring as Norma Desmond in “Sunset” – didn’t allow her audience to be totally disappointed. With her co-star, Tom Francis (he plays Joe Gillis in the show), she took to the stage to announce the cancellation, by grabbing a bullhorn from backstage to make lemonade from a lemon of a situation.
With the support of a backstage track, Scherzinger sang “With One Look,” a tune her Desmond character sings, which at least gave disappointed show-goers to have something to talk about after vacating the theater.
Magician Giancarlo Bernini, in the audience, captured the singer with her bullhorn in an Instagram post, and the show continued as usual for the evening performance…
Show breezes
Coming up:
- Boys II Men, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (April 26), at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. Ticket prices vary, depending on seat location.
- Jefferson Starship, at 8 p.m. June 7, at the Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $72 to $262.
- Lee Ann Rimes, at 6:30 p.m. July 12, at Blaisdell Arena. Ticket prices vary, depending on seat location.
And that’s Show Biz…
HAMMOND’S ICE CREAM COMING
Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream is anticipating a summer opening at the Koko Marina Shopping Center.
Hammond’s is targeting a June 7 debut – date subject to change – and will occupy the site vacated by Moena Sweets.
Hammond’s is noted for 32 ice cream flavors, alternating 20 daily, and boasts some enchanting flavors and names, like Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, a cheesecake flavor. The brand has some dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free options, too.
It also is known for the Hammond Flights, where patrons can take flight to try six flavors in mini cones. A yummy idea to get familiar with Hammond’s…
Maple Garden is shutting down
Maple Garden, the Chinese restaurant in Moiliili, is closing – likely at the end of the month—after decades of serving fans of Chinese cuisine.
Like numerous restaurants with decades of residency, Maple Gardens has been faced with a multitude of challenges – dwindling business, high prices, a fickle economy, and a shortage of staff. Two chefs are in the kitchen and struggling to keep the doors open and serving food, too. Owning a restaurant is a constant task; you welcome the guests, take orders, prepare and serve the food, and after meal service there are dishes to wash.
In earlier times, there were throngs celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, retirement parties, and more. Owner Richard Lam now is thinking of closure, though he’s not yet set a firm date…
A tasty snack
My latest fave snack is something sweet but healthy.
It’s called Yoggies, and it’s a shred of strawberry, coated with creamy yogurt. It’s somewhat like Raisinets, the raisin candy cloaked with chocolate.
Got it in a large bag, from Costco, and it’s perfect for a quick snack, since Yoggies comes in 7-oz packets and that’s enough for a single serving.
EXPLOSION OF BROADWAY MUSICALS
It’s sort of been a Broadway musical explosion on local stages. A lot of fare, with flair.
An epidemic, in a good way.
And perhaps, the best is yet to come.
Broadway frenzy is everywhere. And growing. Song and dance casts are popular. So are familiar show titles from the past, revived for a new generation. Something new often generates big box office, too.
First off, that three-show “Broadway in Hawaii” season starts next Tuesday (April 22), with the Hawaii premiere of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” playing for a week at the renovated Blaisdell Concert Hall. Following later: “Six the Musical,” a frisky, discofied parody of the six wives of King Henry VII, in a two-week residency beginning June 17, culminating in “Chicago,” the John Kander/Fred Ebb evergreen opening a week’s engagement beginning Dec. 2.
For many seasons, Diamond Head Theatre has flourished with Broadway musicals; “Grease” just wound up a run, with “Man of La Mancha” following May 22 and “The SpongeBob Musical” expected to have a huge underwater frenzy beginning July 18.
DHT’s earlier 2023-24 roster was chockfull of musicals: “Mamma Mia!,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Tootsie,” and “Frozen.”
DHT’s forthcoming 2025-26 season is anticipated to be one of the biggest slates yet, with “Come From Away” making its Hawaii premiere Sept. 12, to launch the parade of shows. Revivals of “West Side Story” starting March 20, 2026, and “Funny Girl” beginning May 22, 2026, will fill seats. And “Les Miserables,” 40 years old and still with an immense heartbeat (meaning a blockbuster pulse), caps the coming season’s agenda beginning July 31, 2026. Do you hear the people sing? You will! And with a new tech/set designer aboard, anticipation is higher than ever, for visual splendor along with stellar acting.
Manoa Valley Theatre just closed a held-over staging of “Parade,” and earlier mounted a splendid “Once on This Island.” “Side by Side by Sondheim” will conclude the season beginning July 17. And during its 2025-26 season, watch for two Broadway biggies, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” starting Nov. 13, and “Spring Awakening,” beginning March 19, 2026. It’s amazing how much MVT can pack in its little space!
The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation will follow up its stunning “Newsies” hit from last summer, with a revival of “Gypsy,” playing for three weekends Aug. 8 to 24 at Paliku Theatre, Windward Community Theatre. Everything’s coming up roses for the organization, which continues to perpetuate and preserve the legacy of the late teacher-director, Ron Bright, remembered for his superb high school shows with student casts over the decades when he was primarily a high school director, and later a disguished force in community extravaganzas with adult performers.
Speaking of high school theatrics: The Broadway fever has spread to high school slates. Among them:
- The Kaimuki Performing Arts Company just staged “Beetlejuice.”
- Farrington High School scored points from kids with its “Moana 2.”
- Kamehameha thespians and Mililani High casts tackled “Hadestown.”
- Iolani said hello to “Hello Dolly!” at Hawaii Theatre.
HTY season celebrates communities
The Honolulu Theatre for Youth, now in its 71st year, still is perking and creating stories and plays that celebrate Hawaii’s many communities.
The season is themed “Stories From Hawaii and Beyond,” and explores tales from around the globe and even outer space. Four world premieres are among the offerings.
“An important part of growing up “local” is being surrounded by the beauty and complexity of the many cultures that make up our community here in Hawaii,” said Eric Johnson, HTY artistic director. “This in turn, ignites curiosity and aloha for people and places beyond our shores. This season celebrates stories from this pace and invites us to look beyond as far as our imaginations can take us, from outer space to the plains of Africa.”
The season at a glance:
- “Tales of the Sun and Moon,” is a world premiere by Reiko Ho and the HTY Ensemble, comprised of myths and legends from Hawaii and cultures around the world.
- “Line Circle Sphere,” by Danica Rosengren and HTY Ensemble, an interactive exploration of art in collaboration with Capitol Modern: The Hawaii State Art Museum.
- “Uncle’s (Mostly True) Stories of the Philippines,” by veteran company member Hermenigildo “Junior” Tesoro and the HTY Ensemble, a piece celebrating the history and peoples of the Philippines.
- “Annika’s Elephants,” by Annie Evans, helmed by Pam Arciero, ‘Sesame Street” veteran and native Hawaiian puppeteer, early 2026. The tale is about a young Kenyan girl who befriends a baby elephant and explores the current plight of Africa’s elephants.
- “Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Steel Guitar,” returns in February and March, paired with “Pa ka Makani.” The former is a story by Moses Goods in collaboration with the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings, and the latter,” by Lokomaika‘i Lipscomb, Hanalei Marques Marzan and Annie Cusick Wood.
- “The Tiny Tree,” by Annie Cusic Wood, plays in April. It is an interstellar adventure including songs, puppets and a multitude of characters.
- “HAPA: The Musical About Being Many Things,” by the HTY Ensemble and Moses Goods, will be staged April through May, as the season’s finale. Playdates of public performances have not been announced.
Information: www.htyweb.org.
And that’s Show Biz…