STAR-BULLETIN FILE Robert Cazimero, left and Roland Cazimero.

Hana hou

The Brothers Caz gear up
for a 28th May Day concert

Roland Cazimero is not smiling when he recalls the most unpleasant May Day concert by the Brothers Cazimero a decade ago.

"It was one of those 'This-is-not-working shows' comments from my brother Robert," he says.

May Day with The Brothers Cazimero Featuring Halau Na Kamalei, Leina'ala Heine and The Royal Dance Company, with special guests Keao Costa (from Na Palapalai) and Hoku Zuttermeister: Where: Waikiki Shell When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $15 to $25 (12 and under free) Call: 591-2211 or 1-877-750-4400 and online at www.ticketmaster.com

"We fought before the show, through both halves, and at the end had a yelling fit on stage," says Robert. "God, who knows what started it."

But Brother Roland knows and the usually affable and joking guitar player turns from grin to grimace, eyes widening, voice lowering, jugulars taut.

"I got so mad," he says. "I thought, 'OK, if this is the end for us, so be it.'"

Singer and bass player Robert admits that on occasion he'll change the direction of what had seemed like a well-planned concert when he perceives the repertoire isn't working.

"There are times when you work so hard for a show and then just before we go back on stage after intermission Robert says, 'Forget the whole second half,' and that really ticks me off," says Roland, now smiling. "What the hell do you do?

"It's like an A Bomb going off inside me."

"If the show's not working, it's not working," chimes Robert, who says he has a sixth sense about a performance's flow. "I just get this feeling ...

"We have a great trust and I wouldn't give Roland something he couldn't handle. Sure, it may throw him off for a difficult moment, but it's how we've become who we are."

That May Day audience never noticed the onstage, backstage and offstage feuding that they resolved a few days later. And fortunately the Brothers continued to make records and on Sunday night perform their 28th May Day concert at the Waikiki Shell.

"We never thought it would go past 10 years, but here we are again!" Roland says. "There's a lot of pressure every year to outdo the previous year's performance, while maintaining tradition and flow.

"It's not easy because there aren't that many entertainers we can pool from these days. We also have to select new numbers and not use all of our stuff from the new album."

The Brothers are committed to continue their May Day tradition for another two years then "reassess" the situation, Robert says.

Sunday's two-hour concert will have some things old, some things new, and some surprises.

"Audiences always like to hear our old stuff because some songs are special to people who want to relive an experience," Roland says.

Robert agrees.

"Some oldies we have to do and we need to tell stories -- people want to hear pertinent things happening with us," he said. "It's a way to connect. We always do 'May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.'

"There'll be some kahiko (ancient hula), and naked flesh is always good. Roland and I surround ourselves with pretty things to look younger."

ROBERT'S GROUP Halau Na Kamalei, fresh off its victory at this year's Merrie Monarch Festival (three first-place kane awards and the overall trophy), will make its first public appearance since the event.

"They'll do dances from Merrie Monarch," Robert says. "I want to celebrate the style we do, which is also supported by kids that I have graduated like Manu Boyd and Moses Crabbe, Carl Veto Baker. So we'll have all of them and their students on stage -- about 100 -- to open the show."

There'll also be at least two special guest stars -- from Na Palapalai, Keao Costa and Hoku Zuttermeister -- at least one surprise guest, and Leina'ala Heine and The Royal Dance Company.

It's been 25 years since the demise of Sunday Manoa with Peter Moon, so Robert and Roland will reflect on these personal beginnings to be included in the finale.

This year's concert theme is "Some Call It Aloha," the title of their Grammy-nominated album. But the underlying theme is "the idea of looking back, facing forward," Robert says.

The duo has a lot to reflect on after Robert's Merrie Monarch victory and a Grammy nomination for "Some Call It Aloha," which has sold exceptionally well.

"Things have tightened up for us," Robert says. "We're more pronounced in the Hawaii scene than last year because of all the things that have happened."

Including more pressure.

"There's a great deal of expectation now because of the Grammys and Merrie Monarch, even as we're trying to take a step back and let these things just be," he says. "People keep ... tightening the vise."

The pair insist it's not an issue of "be careful of what you wish for."

"This is a case of God never giving you more than you can handle," Robert says.

Surprisingly, the Grammy nomination was not the Brothers' most memorable moment.

"Definitely not," Robert says. "Remember, we weren't even that excited to go."

FOR ROBERT, the day after the Merrie Monarch Festival victory was special because "I could hear a kind of relaxed laughter that meant everything is over."

"I was finally able to feel this overwhelming joy for the dancers, the style we represented, my own kumu," he says.

Roland was joyous at how well the Grammy-nominated album had done and sounded.

"It was a confusing high for me," he says. "I listen to it now and hear those jumps and think, 'Wow, is that really us?' That feels nice."

Musically, the Brothers may be on the same page, but in other life aspects they seem like oil and water. Robert travels extensively for at least half the year and following Sunday's concert, he'll prepare extended vacations to Europe and South America.

"Traveling is a passion," he says.

As for Roland, you'll be seeing him around town.

"I'll be staying in Kalihi," he says. "Then take some time off to visit south Kalihi. Then do some business in downtown Kalihi before returning to upper Kalihi."

And while May Day concerts may be pau for them in 2008, their career is far from done. There could be a new album this year.

"As long as there isn't someone standing over you saying '8, 9, 10, you're out,' you're still in the game," Roland says.

"Our career isn't over yet until the fat boy sings, and that would be me," Robert says.

"I beg to differ," Roland says.

"No, I beg to differ, brother!" Robert adds.