Together with his younger brother, Robert, Roland Cazimero has played an essential role in the evolution of modern Hawaiian music. More than a quarter of a century after their debut concerts, the Cazimero brothers continue to be one of the island’s best-loved and most successful acts. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their annual Lei Day Festival, at the Waikiki Shell, they were joined by a 13-piece, all-star, band of instrumentalists and singers and a 30-member troupe of hula dancers. Cazimero, or “Boz” as he is affectionately known, has consistently revealed his songwriting talents. His lengthy suit, Pele, composed and recorded in 1979, has become a modern Hawaiian classic. Although it was virtually ignored at the Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 1980, it has evolved into a fully choreographed musical production. More than two decades after it was debuted by the Honolulu Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Johanos, Pele was reissued in 1997 and staged for the first time in a Hawaiian theater.
Joined by his brother, Roland Cazimero spent 12 years as resident band at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room. The duo has continued to tour throughout the world. As guests of the New York Pops, they performed to a sold-out audience, at Carnegie Hall, in January 2000. The brothers have appeared on numerous television shows, ranging from the Miss America Pageant to Jim Nabors and Dolly Parton’s television special broadcast from Hawaii. Tickets for their annual Christmas shows, with the Honolulu Symphony, have been snapped up as soon as they have gone on sale. They continue to perform regularly at Don Ho’s Island Grill and Chai’s Island Bistro.
