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Let me share lessons learned from Robert Cazimero’s revival of Lei Day on May 1 at Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn:
>> More than 3,000 attended, suggesting that May Day still percolates in the hearts of islanders.
“I was blown away by the kindness people showed me,” said Cazimero. “Ne’er a one passed without saying thank you, that they had been waiting a long time to see this happen, to experience what they have hoped to do at least one more time with friends and new family members that never experienced May Day before.”
>> However, once is enough, nor has he secured a successor.
“Haven’t found anyone just yet,” said Cazimero. Earlier, he misspoke; he intends to be in Portugal next May; it’s 2020 that his halau heads for the Merrie Monarch competition in Hilo.
>> Entertainers aside, most of us rarely wear a lei or make a lei, but we give a lei occasionally. We don lei on May Day, to embrace and perpetuate this tradition, validated with a night out at the concert.
>> May Day is all about hula and mele, and dancers bonded with musical icons, sharing tunes and memories from the past, connecting with the kupuna as well as the next generation of Hawaiiana buffs.
Five Merrie Monarch vets (Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, Vicky Holt Takamine’s Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima, Mapuana de Silva’s Halau Mohala ‘Ilima, Manu Boyd’s Halau O Ke ‘A‘ali‘i, and Michael Pili Pang’s Halau Hula Ka Noe‘au) showcased riveting, disciplined artistry. Marlene Sai, Jerry Santos and Keauhou delivered awesome rhapsodic melodies, the soloists worthy of enshrinement, the trio a top-tier hope for the future of Hawaiian music.
Two house bands laid the foundation — the Kawika Trask Trio and a “name” combo comprising Keao Costa (from Na Palapalai), Horace Dudoit III (from Ho‘okena), and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi (from The Makaha Sons). Overall, ’twas an impressive museum piece.
>> Cazimero was taken by the spell of Sai and Santos (“Whew, incredible”) and smell (“seeing lei in profusion … so pungent,” he said.
“The giving and wearing of lei lies heavily on my mind.” And just swell: “My aloha section to Roland (his late brother) was perfect. Poignant, prevalent and positive. I felt the whole audience was with me on that one.”
>> Perhaps it’s time for the city — which has hosted a daytime lei contest at Kapiolani Park for decades — to adopt the evening ritual as a cultural gift to the community; adequate funding and hiring a pageant producer are vital. For now, May Day can be interpreted as an SOS distress call. …
SHOW BITS
Joy Abbott was in New York last month for the “Mr. Abbott” Award, named after her late iconic director-playwright husband, George Abbott, bestowed on Julie Taymor (“The Lion King”) by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation at a dinner gala at the Bohemian National Hall. Sixteen “Lion King” troupers performed. She’ll spend summer in Hawaii. …
Taizo Braden is back on island TV, hosting a lifestyle show, “Island Style,” at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays on KITV4. …
OH, DONNA
Remember child actress-singer Donna Butterworth, who appeared in films with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis, in the 1960s? She died at age 62 on March 6, at Hilo Medical Center, as first reported by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
She was a cutie, with an engaging smile, a Dutch boy haircut with straight bangs framing her bright eyes, and an outgoing personality made for the big screen.
She played ukulele, performed with Don Ho, and had a hit song “Sailor Boy” on Reprise Records, Ho’s label at the height of his popularity.
She was 10 when she sang a duet opposite Presley in the 1966 flick, “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” A year earlier, she co-starred in comedian Lewis’ “The Family Jewels.” …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
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