Around the isles, Robert Cazimero needs no introduction. Robert, half of the acclaimed musical duo The Brothers Cazimero, is regarded as a pioneer of contemporary Hawaiian music, a fighter for the betterment of Hawai‘i and founder of Halau Na Kamalei,
Around the isles, Robert Cazimero needs no introduction. Robert, half of the acclaimed musical duo The Brothers Cazimero, is regarded as a pioneer of contemporary Hawaiian music, a fighter for the betterment of Hawai‘i and founder of Halau Na Kamalei, his all-male hula halau.
Robert will be performing with Nina Keali‘iwahamana in a benefit concert Sept. 15 at the Kaua‘i Museum in Lihu‘e. The evening will feature heavy pupus, wine and beer plus a silent auction.
“The last time I visited Kaua‘i was in 1852. It was a very bad year,” Robert joked before letting out a hearty laugh over the phone.
Those who have met or talked with Robert know firsthand about his playful nature and quick wit.
“Every island has a special place in my heart,” Robert said with seriousness. “I am such a proud citizen of this state. I love Kaua‘i so much. My memory of Kaua‘i might be dated, but there are pockets of Kaua‘i that remind me of Hawai‘i 20 years ago.”
He, along with his brother Roland, are recognized for being among the leaders of the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s.
“We didn’t know we were being pioneers at the time, because we were just having fun,” Robert said. “It offered an open field of creativity, and at the same time, it let you be as free as you wanted to be. It was the hippie time of my life. Roland and I were in such a lucky position to meet influential and legends of our culture. We got a chance to meet them, play with them and hang with them.”
For September’s concert at the Kaua‘i Museum, Robert said he and Keali‘iwahamana don’t have a set list, but he has the highest praise for Keali‘iwahamana’s talents.
“You know, sometimes you can search and search for something you find perfect,” he said. “Whether it’s a rock, or a feather or a person. That is what Nina is — perfection.”
Keali‘iwahamana is famously known as a performer of the “Hawai‘i Calls” radio show. Her powerful and breathtaking voice earned her a Na Hoku Hanohano lifetime achievement award.
Robert recently completed his fourth solo album, “Hula,” which was released in July.
“A project like ‘Hula’ makes you pull out all the stops you weren’t even aware of being there,” he said. “‘Hula’ was wonderfully satisfying.”
The 11-track album features Robert’s favorite music for hula. A multi-talented musician, Robert’s voice is distinctive whether he is playing solo or with his brother, or on the piano or bass.
While Robert has released close to 40 albums, he maintains he doesn’t have a favorite.
“I’m hoping my most favorite one is coming out sometime soon,” he said.
He has no immediate plans for any albums in the future, but he said he never knows when inspiration will strike.
“You just never really know when it’ll pop out,” he said. “It’s like, ‘who knew I was pregnant?’”
For now, Robert is enjoying a “peaceful soaring” with his all-male halau. He is open to all of life’s opportunities and has no plans of slowing down.
“When I wake up and I can’t sing anymore, that would be retirement.”
As an advocate for a better Hawai‘i, Robert has this advice for Hawai‘i’s younger generation:
“I come from a time and generation where it was easier to just lay back and not make too many waves,” he said. “I would say to younger people, choose your conflicts well. If you decide you want to work with something, give it all you want. Hawai‘i is definitely worth fighting for.”
See Robert Cazimero in concert with Nina Keali‘iwahamana from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Kaua‘i Museum in Lihu‘e. Tickets are $100 and include heavy pupus, beverages and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.kauaimuseum.org or call 245-6931.
Who: Robert Cazimero
Where: Kaua‘i Museum
When: Sept. 15 5 p.m.
Tickets: $100
