A celebration of life for the late Roland Cazimero — still in the planning stages — is set for Oct. 8 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by music till 7 p.m.
Roland died July 16 at age 66. His wife, Lauwa‘e, has been huddling with Leah Bernstein, president of the Mountain Apple Co., to spearhead the memorial for the beloved singer, composer, guitarist and kolohe sidekick of the Brothers Cazimero, which, of course, also featured sweet-voiced bassist-pianist bro Robert Cazimero.
Robert will offer songs and reflections, adding, “I am happy to oblige. … I will be there to support, for sure.” His hula halau is confirmed to perform. A call for musicians will soon be announced.
Mountain Apple, founded by CEO Jon de Mello, managed, recorded, promoted and shepherded “The Caz” act and brand — a bedrock of the renaissance of Hawaiian music and the evolution of contemporary Hawaiiana — over the past five decades.
The Monarch Room is where the duo was a long-running act, headlining for a dozen years in the heyday of the Waikiki nightlife resurgence. Robert mentioned the Pink Palace site was selected “through their courtesy and kindness.” …
NOTEWORTHY
>> Remembering Don: The bronze statue of the late Don Ho, sculpted by Kim Duffett, will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. today at the International Market Place. The ceremony (and music to follow) is free and open to the public. …
>> New beginning: With “Hawaii Five-0” in his past, now-producer Daniel Dae Kim is focusing on his ABC series, “The Good Doctor,” starring Freddie Highmore (“Bates Motel”) as a young physician with autism, premiering Sept. 25. “All good things come to an end,” he said at the recent Television Critics Association press tour at the Beverly Hilton. It’s a network homecoming of sorts, since Kim launched his TV career via “Lost” on ABC, which was filmed in Hawaii. …
GOODBYE, DOLLY!
Bette Midler has set Jan. 14 as her final performance in the Tony-winning “Hello, Dolly!” at Broadway’s Schubert Theatre. While perceived as an open-ended run, Midler’s exit a couple of months short of a year might put a damper on keeping the show going. The Hawaii-born actress is a megawatt star, and her two-week summer vacation saw box-office grosses plunge. Josh Groban’s departure from “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” also triggered weak ticket sales, so the show closes Sept. 3 at the Imperial Theatre. …
DATEBOOK DOINGS
Jerry Santos of Olomana joins Henry Kapono at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday at Blue Note Hawaii. Also, Keola Beamer and Kapono collaborate Sept. 14. Cover charge: $25 to $65. Call 518-6240. …
The Honolulu Jazz Quartet salutes David Sanborn and Grover Washington Jr. at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Medici’s. Musicians include Tim Tsukiyama on sax, Dan Del Negro on piano, John Kolivas on bass and Ian Wacksman on drums. Cover charge: $20. Call 351-0901.
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
