The second concert from Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) Lifestyle’s Aloha Everywhere Concert Series taking place at the Downey Theatre, features Composer, Musician and Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero with a captivating afternoon of music and hula on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 3 p.m. Joining Cazimero on stage will be his Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua and Special Guest Kumu Hula Maelia Loebenstein Carter.
Robert Uluwehi Cazimero’s half-century of contributions as a musician, composer and kumu hula leave no doubt that he is an indelible influencer of Hawaiian culture. From his early days with the musical group the Sunday Manoa, to recordings with his late brother, Roland as the Brothers Cazimero, and as a solo artist, he has received 25 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, a Grammy Nomination and was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2008, the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Artists presented the Brothers Cazimero a Lifetime Achievement Award. In this same year, Robert was singularly distinguished as USA Fellow for his work and achievements as a Composer, Musician and Kumu Hula.
Cazimero studied with renowned Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake and became a kumu hula in 1973. He brought Lake’s vision of an all-male hālau to fruition with the formation of Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua and to date, has graduated three classes of kumu hula, chanters and advanced hula dancers.
Beyond his many accolades and awards, he is most proud of his students, who perpetuate Hawaiian culture not only through hula and music, but through education, healing, preservation and community service. In these ways, he continues the lineage passed on to him from his Kumu.