Cazimero becoming more active by composing new music

Roland Cazimero of the Brothers Cazimero has been out of the limelight for nearly two years but is trying to get his mojo rolling again by composing new music.

“I have carpal tunnel,” he told me over the holidays, so strumming a guitar and manipulating chords remain a challenge. He also tires easily.

Cazimero said he’s trying to maintain a healthier regimen, but don’t expect him to be in performing mode anytime soon.

“At least I’m writing some new music.”

Amen! Roland took ill during a 2014 Maui gig with brother Robert Cazimero and spent some time in the hospital. He did make a brief appearance in March 2015 during a Hawaiian concert staged by Robert at the Hawaii Theatre. Robert continues his Blue Note Hawaii gigs at the Outrigger Waikiki (6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28) and his monthly Full Moon concerts at Chef Chai’s (Feb. 11). …

EDDIE KAMAE SERVICES SET

A funeral for Eddie Kamae, the last of the Sons of Hawaii group and a prolific beacon in the Hawaiian music galaxy, will be held Feb. 4 at the Elks Club in Waikiki. Anticipating a crowd, widow Myrna Kamae is still pondering the timetable and logistics.

Kamae died Jan. 7 after five weeks under hospice care. I visited him on Christmas Eve, and he flashed his iconic smile between dozing. The room, not surprisingly, had Kamae’s trademark palaka — in the form of two Christmas stockings, one blue and the other red. Myrna was touched that the crew picking up Eddie’s body included a grandson of Joe Marshall, a Sons member.

May the Sons of Hawaii jam in heaven now commence. …

LEED-ING OF THE PACK

Singer Melveen Leed did a stunning, free post-holiday concert for the senior residents of Arcadia, offering an exquisite blend of classics and signatures plus a masterful revival of “Manuela Boy,” the vintage ditty we all used to sing small-kid time — with delightful verses not commonly sung these days and delivered tita style.

Leed ought to record this and include it in her regular shows. The Arcadians adored her, latching onto her CDs, getting Da Tita to sign ’em. A hana hou is imminent. …

And folks are still chuckling over Leed’s broken-heel incident, when she guested on Jay Larrin’s Christmas show at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. As she took the stage, one of her heels fell off and sent her galloping to the mic. …

SHORTS OF SORTS

>> Jack Cione, director-choreographer and sometime author, will speak about his showbiz experiences and book during a Hoaloha a Mau Loa luncheon that begins at 11 a.m. Thursday at Waialae Country Club. Cione speaks at 12:30 p.m. Reservations: Vickie Kim at 729-7691. …

>> More “Allegiance”: “Allegiance,” the George Takei-Lea Salonga musical taped on Broadway, will screen at 12:55 p.m. Feb. 19 at Dole Cannery Stadium 18. In November the movie played to two sellout crowds; Honolulu was the only city with a pair of showings. Information: allegiancemusical.com. …

>> Hoku update: The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts reminds the recording community that the submission deadline for the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards is Friday for the 2017 competition. Products released through Dec. 31 are eligible. Details: nahokuhanohano.org, 593-9424. …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.