Robert Cazimero will be the big draw on Lei Day, when island residents make a lei, wear a lei, and give a lei.
May 1 is Lei Day, or May Day, and this year there are options.
Cazimero’s biggie will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. May 1 at the Bishop Museum, where a pageantry of hula, mele and oli will flourish beneath a huge tent. Keauhou, the award-winning powerhouse trio comprised of Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and their Kamehameha Schools chum Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, will assemble to vocalize and dance, but also perform on instruments. Zachary is producing the event, which will feature pre-show festivities and entertainment from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a two-hour revue from 7 to 9 p.m.. that will be streamed live on Mele.com, the evening’s presenters.
Cazimero, pictured, who is kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, will be at the keyboards and his halau gents, and other guest dancers, will harmonize and hula.
Tickets: $35 for general admission, and patrons can buy dinner and snacks from vendors; $50 for the show and a provided Hawaiian plate dinner, and $135 for a VIP package.
Reservations: visit mele.com …
Other Lei Day attractions:
- Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang, pictured, kumu hula of Halau I Ka Wekiu, will stage a concert at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. The event will salute their kumu hula from the past, Robert Cazimero.
“But I won’t be there,” Cazimero said, when asked for comment.
Tickets: $35 to $93 at the Blaisdell Center box office at (808) 768-5488.
- Kuana Torres Kahele, pictured, will front two May 1 concerts, at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort with guest dancers Teva and Amberlee Medeiros. Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; dinner and beverage will be available. Tickets: $35 to $45, at www.bluenotehawaii.com or call (808) 777-4890.
- A belated Lei Day show starring Kalani Pe‘a, pictured, three-time Grammy winner, will unfold at 7 p. m. May 4 at the Hawaii Theatre. Guests will include vocalist Weldon Kekauoha, kumu hula Sallie Yoza and Halau ‘O Napuala‘ikauika‘iu, kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jordan and Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala and kumu hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski and Halau Kawai‘ulaokala. Tickets: $45 to $55; VIP package, $250, at www.hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506…
Hawaii Theatre events
“Music & Memories,” featuring Jerome Koko, pictured center, and the Makaha Sons, will be staged at 3 p.m. June 2 at the Hawaii Theatre.
The event is a benefit for the Alzheimer Assn. of Hawaii.
Participating island talent includes Robi Kahakalau, Kawika Kahiapo, Kimo & Kaimi Artis, Pomaika‘i and Malie, and Kamuela & Ka‘ihi Kimokeo.
Tickets: $35 to $60, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…
“Croce Plays Croce,” at 8 p.m. May 16 at the Hawaii Theatre, features the musical legacy of the late Jim Croce.
His son, “A.J. Croce,” will share his dad’s musical hits, which includes “Time in a Bottle,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.”
Tickets: $65 to $85, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…
And that’s Show Biz…