They only compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival every decade, but when they do, the excitement is palpable. ADVERTISING They only compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival every decade, but when they do, the excitement is palpable. Halau Na Kamalei
They only compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival every decade, but when they do, the excitement is palpable.
Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, under the direction of kumu hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, last competed in 2005. The kane halau came away with a clean sweep — both hula kahiko and hula ‘auana in the kane division, and the overall title.
“When I first heard our name, I was pretty ecstatic,” Cazimero said. “But as it continued, it became embarrassing as well as humbling and exciting. … I just started putting my head down and covering my face with a cap because I was pretty embarrassed, but elated at the same time. And I cannot tell you how conflicting those kinds of emotions are.”
Although better known as a Hawaiian music luminary, the 66-year-old Cazimero has been teaching hula for more than 40 years. He’s garnered his fair share of accomplishments in that endeavor, as well. He and his men won the first Merrie Monarch kane division title in 1976, then followed that up with hula ‘auana wins the following year and in 1989.
Asked about changes he’s seen in hula during his four decades as a kumu, Cazimero replied, “The first thing that pops into my mind is the fact that back then it was much easier to see the hula style that each school represented.”
“I think as the years have progressed, I think it’s merged into — I say this cautiously, but it’s just my observation — it’s just become so generic now, it’s not easy to tell where everyone’s from, unless they have a solid foundation that goes back to established teachers. Then you can still tell that style,” he said.
Cazimero said it’s imperative he and his halau perpetuate the legacy of his own kumu, the late Maiki Aiu Lake.
“I really make sure everybody knows where we come from and why we do what we do. And if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be a part of even one year, let alone 40,” he said.
Another change is competition-driven hula becoming akin to an athletic event. The Merrie Monarch is sometimes referred to as the Super Bowl of hula.
“Competition is more important now than the heart of hula and the love of performing hula for love’s sake. Winning has certainly become more paramount than ever before,” Cazimero said.
Cazimero declined to reveal the mele for his halau’s hula kahiko and hula ‘auana, saying he wanted to “keep the power over it for now.”
Cazimero hoped several of his students who have become kumu hula would be allowed to dance in the halau during competition, but the Merrie Monarch doesn’t permit those who teach hula to dance in competition as part of their kumu’s halau. Three of Cazimero’s students who are now kumu hula, Manu Boyd, Patrick Makuakane and Michael Casupang, will be with the halau as ho‘opa‘a, or chanters, as will Keala Chock, a student Cazimero describes as “really, really great at memorizing long chants.”
“I thought it would be just a wonderful thing for them to come back,” Cazimero said. “And I believe when a kumu asks their students to come back and dance with them, whether they’re a kumu or not, whether they have haumana or not, that I am still the teacher. And when they are with me, all of those titles become nullified. They then become students.”
Cazimero is one-half of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame duo, the Brothers Cazimero. His brother, Roland, usually is part of the band playing music for Na Kamalei’s hula ‘auana. But Roland Cazimero collapsed during a performance on Maui last May and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He is recovering, Robert Cazimero said, but hasn’t been cleared by a doctor to perform onstage.
Asked who’ll play music with him at Merrie Monarch, Cazimero replied, “That remains to be seen.”
“It’s been really interesting as I’ve seen my friends around at different places and they’re all saying, ‘I know Roland’s not going to be there. If you need my help, I’ll be there already. Just let me know.’ It’s been overwhelming and I find myself very grateful,” he said.
Although Na Kamalei hasn’t competed in Merrie Monarch since 2005, the halau performed at the 50th Anniversary Ho‘ike in 2013. During the ‘auana performance, Cazimero sat alone at the piano and sang a medley of “Pua Lililehua,” “Ia ‘Oe E Ka La” and “Waika.” During “Waika,” Cazimero stood up, left the piano, strode up the ramp to the stage and sang the final part of the song a cappella, his dancers providing four-part harmony.
It was an inspired moment, and the crowd erupted into a standing ovation at the song’s conclusion.
“I didn’t know that was going to happen until it happened,” Cazimero said.
“You know, I just wanted to be closer to the halau. I felt like I was so far away from them. Little did I know that it was going to be one of the moments in my life — and I’ve had many, many amazing moments. But it was a very intimate moment that was shared with hundreds of people at the same time. That moment with ‘Waika’ was an acknowledgement of everyone’s hard work, but most of all, it was an acknowledgement of the person who put me on that stage, Maiki Aiu Lake.
“That was for her.”
