Two icons of Hawaii mele and ‘olelo – Robert Cazimero of Oahu and Keali‘i Reichel of Maui – convened in a rare Lei Day concert last night (May 1) ‘neath the huge white tent erected on the Great Lawn of Bishop Museum.
The gathering was more than a routine May Day spectacle, however, since Cazimero and Reichel shared illuminating chit-chat in pre-recorded video shown on screens. The commentary included fleeting memories from the past that will likely define and shape the future destination of Hawaiian music and dance.
Reichel opined that Cazimero was a visionary model in a trail of stardom. “Thanks for getting me out of the bushes to catch up,” said Reichel, who summed up his trailblazing buddy in a single word: “Gratitude.” Cazimero noted that there were instances where the roles were reversed. “I became a follower, too,” he said.
It was the first time that both kumu hula and their dancers and singers assembled in a lavish presentation yielding unexpected exchanges. Though the overall mission of both halau is to perpetuate island music, Cazimero’s two-time Merrie Monarch-winning Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua (earlier known as Halau Na Kamalei O Likolehua) is comprised of gentlemen who elevated kane hula; the guys sing, dance, and play cultural instruments, committed to hula kahiko and hula auana, and expanding its horizons with Christmas productions that appeal to a wide base of fans. With hula as its foundation, Reichel’s Halau Ke‘alaokamaile perpetuates the Hawaiian culture and heritage through the arts, language and dance, with a connection to the ‘aina in its hula experience. He admitted hula was primary, before singing.
The first-time status also included the participation — again — of Keauhou, the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning trio comprised of Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, his brother Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio. Their roots in Hawaiian run deep, with Kamehameha Schools vintage. They support the three p’s of show biz, performance, preservation and perpetuation. Nick earned a PhD several months ago, Zack is a doctoral candidate, and has emerged as the game-changing producer of the May Day specials like last night’s. Zack and Cazimero were the ones who urged Reichel to join Lei Day.
This was a challenging production to review; I was situated in a midway table which made photographing the artists extremely difficult; in many shots, I captured wee images of Cazimero at his yellow plumeria-draped white piano, but mostly the camera focused on Kuana Torres Kahele’s head, beautifully displaying his beautiful hand-made lei po‘o.
There were notables all over the house; Kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine, singer and Cazimero’s best friend, Kaipo Hale, longtime Cazimero manager and recording producer Jon de Mello, entertainment lawyer Mark Bernstein, restaurateur and chef Kelvin Ro. Sitting next to me: Fred Krause, Reichel’s manager and partner; and so on.
The music seemed to be hand-picked by both kumu stars and Keauhou, nicely paced but with somewhat abrupt and awkward TV commercial breaks (Hawaiian Airlines was title sponsor of the production, Hawaii News Now televised the show live). The concert will be aired on Mele.com this month.
Reichel’s best treats were “Kawaiokalani” and “Ode to a House” (but no “Kawaipunahele”). Cazimero was effectively reflective on “Downtown Honolulu” (his favored composition) and “Lei Onaona.” Keauhou’s “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai” was an op for hula dancers to strut their thing between the rows of diners. And a grand slam-dunk finale choice, “Hanohano Ka Lei Pikake” included rotating verses by Reichel, Cazimero and Keauhou.
‘Twas precisely the kind of robust, energetic and soul-touching moment – fleeting memories attendees could savor, cherish and take home to enjoy till the reflections fade.
P.S.: Reichel created an unintended memory, slipping in the mud (it rained earlier in the day) en route to the stage, and a brown smudge on his white pants at his left knee was prominent. He couldn’t change clothes because his spare clothing was back at the hotel. “It’s like a pimple on your face,” he surmised…
And that’s Show Biz…
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