Farewell to one of The Brothers Caz

The late Roland Cazimero made his mark on the musical scene in the early years of what’s known as the Hawaiian Renaissance. “Contemporary Hawaiian” became a musical genre, and Roland, who died Sunday, was one of its leading lights. He often played a somewhat retiring role, seated on a platform while brother Robert stood; he usually took the harmony line in vocals. But guitarists widely praised his instrumental skills, his iconic 12-string accompaniment.

Hawaii mourns his passing and that of The Brothers Cazimero as a musical entity. “The Caz” really was the two of them.

Could it be the Trump effect?

Hawaii’s two U.S. Senators, Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz — increasingly outspoken critics of President Donald Trump — enjoy high popularity ratings in their home state, according to the survey research company Morning Consult. They’re so popular, in fact, that only one U.S. senator ranked higher — Bernie Sanders. Hirono jumped 11 points from last year, possibly out of sympathy for her recent cancer treatment, or because she’s making headlines with her strong criticism of GOP policies.

The most unpopular senator in his home state? That would be Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the architect of the so-far-failed effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.