May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, and on May 1, there are two celebrations – one virtual on TV, one live in a Waikiki club –worth considering.
The traditional mammoth Hawaiian party at the Waikiki Shell, is only a memory now; the Brothers Cazimero, who staged Lei Day annually for years, pulled the plug a number of seasons ago. Since then, Roland Cazimero died, and Robert Cazimero has tried to carry on some measure of the beloved celebration.
FIRST, THE VIRTUAL ONE:
Robert surfaces again this year, in a televised performance, at 6 p.m. May 1 on KGMB, then an hour later at 7 p.m. on KFVE, with a re-telecast at 8 p.m. May 3 again on KFVE. Facebook Live by Kahuli Leo Le’a will carry the program for worldwide viewing.
Kahuli Leo Le’a is producing the event, “Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2021: Makai’ika’I,” which will assemble Cazimero and his Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, along with Keauhou, Manu Boyd, the Ha’eha’e girls, Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha’eha’e directed by Tracie and Keawe Lopes and Halau Mohala ‘Ilima directed by Mapuana de Silva. Billy V. emcees
The mission is to create a robust burst of Hawaiian culture amid the perimeters of your TV screen at home. The scent of freshly-strewn blossons of lei will be missing, unless you abide by the Cazimero mantra for years, “Make a Lei, Give a Lei, Wear a Lei.” Zachary Lum, a member of the group Keauhou, is the producer-executive director of the telecast show, and is staging the production “as Hawaii continues to welcome malihini back to the islands,” he said. “We are eager to utilize online platforms, bringing May Day to wider audiences and delivering an important message through this creative presentation.”
Hawaiian Airlines is the title sponsor of the e-show.
THE LIVE ONE:
As part of his residency at the Blue Note Hawaii club at the Waikiki Outrigger Hotel,Kuana Torres Kahele presents May Day with a plethora of hula and serenaders, creating a tapestry of culture which is part of his signature.Shows will be at 6 and 8:30 p.m. May 1 (doors open at 4:30 and 8 p.m.), with Kahele assembling three wahine kumu hula: Vicky Holt Takamine, Leimomi Ho and Leina’ala Pavoa Jardin, who will share their dancers and artistry, along with unnamed guest dancers.
Tickets: $35 premium, $25 loge and bar zone; call 777-4890 or visit www.bluenotehawaii.com
In addition, there will be designer pop up by designer Manaola.
Social distancing protocol will be observed. Also, Blue Note will offer meal options.
