Kumu hula Robert Cazimero to receive UH honorary doctorate | University of Hawaiʻi System News
Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2026/04/20/robert-cazimero-honorary-doctorate
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Kumu hula Robert Cazimero to receive UH honorary doctorate | University of Hawaiʻi System News
Skip to content
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Flickr
RSS
April 20, 2026
UH News
Reading time:
2
minutes
Carlos Peñaloza, Gabe Lee, Robert Cazimero and Wendy Hensel.
A master of hula and Hawaiian music whose influence spans generations, Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of
Hawaiʻi
.
The Board of Regents approved the honor at its April 16 meeting at
Kapiʻolani
Community College
, following a request from
Leeward Community College
Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. The degree will be formally conferred during Leeward
CC
’s fall convocation.
“I never really thought about this before, and to have it happen in such a truly beautiful, humbling—and even overwhelming—way, I’m grateful,” said Cazimero. “I’m really happy to be here.”
UH
ties and cultural impact
Cazimero and Regent Neil Abercrombie
Cazimero is widely recognized for his leadership of Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua and his influence on generations of haumāna (students), as well as his celebrated career in Hawaiian music. His work has helped strengthen the continuity and global reach of Hawaiian cultural traditions.
Throughout his career, he has been a steadfast partner to
UH
, supporting its mission to nurture knowledge, improve cultural identity and inspire future generations. Across
UH
’s 10 campuses, he has shared his time and expertise through guest lectures, workshops, performances and mentorship rooted in a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility).
“His engagement with our campus community has provided students, faculty and staff with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from a master practitioner whose work bridges ancestral knowledge and contemporary expression,” said Keala Chock, a former student and Leeward
CC
vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Related story:
Legendary musician Robert Cazimero opens exhibit with Windward CC students
, January 2026
Cazimero’s engagement at Leeward
CC
reflects an enduring partnership in cultural learning and mentorship, helping to deepen students’ experiences with
ʻike
Hawaiʻi
(Hawaiian knowledge). He is also the featured artist in
Ke Kilo Lani
, an exhibition
presented by Windward
CC
that highlights his life, legacy and contributions through immersive cultural storytelling.
During the meeting, Regent Neil Abercrombie shared an emotional memory of seeing Cazimero perform for the first time at
UH
Mānoa’s Andrews Amphitheatre in the 1970s. Regent Diane Paloma also noted that she was among his students, reflecting his lasting impact as an educator and mentor.
The honorary doctorate recognizes individuals of national or international distinction whose contributions have had a significant impact in areas such as business, public service or scholarship.
Cazemero surrounded by his former students and Leeward
CC
leaders.
Related Posts:
Robert Cazimero’s legacy honored in Gallery ʻIolani…
Legendary musician Robert Cazimero opens exhibit…
UH Board of Regents approves honorary doctorate for…
Board of Regents
Hawaiian studies
honorary doctorate
Leeward Community College
UH Community Colleges
UH System
Share This
Universities
UH
Mānoa
UH
Hilo
UH
West
Oʻahu
Community Colleges
Hawaiʻi
CC
Honolulu
CC
Kapiʻolani
CC
Kauaʻi
CC
Leeward
CC
UH
Maui College
Windward
CC
Most Popular
UH
Mānoa chancellor finalists selected; 1st finalist Vassilis Syrmos visit April 27–28
Garret Yoshimi to retire after decade of
IT
leadership at
UH
Kumu hula Robert Cazimero to receive
UH
honorary doctorate
Featured Video
Aloha Bash 2026
previous post:
In memoriam: Professor Emeritus, ALOHAnet co-founder Franklin Kuo
next post:
UH
medical student earns fellowship for pediatric eye cancer research
Watch the latest news of the University of Hawaiʻi
View News Videos
2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Have a story idea or a question?
Contact
news@hawaii.edu
An
equal opportunity institution
Use of this site implies consent
with our
Usage Policy
copyright © 2026
University of Hawaiʻi
X
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Flickr
RSS
Contact
UH
If required, information contained on
this website can be made available in
an alternative format upon request.
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
About
Calendar
COVID-19 Updates
Directory
Emergency Information
For Media
MyUH
Work at
UH
English
Gagana Samoa
Kapasen Chuuk
Lea faka-Tonga - Tongan
Tiếng Việt
ภาษาไทย
Ilokano
Tagalog
Cebuano
Kajin Majôl
简体中文
繁體中文
日本語
한국어
Español
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
By Category
dropdown menu
Academic
Research
People
Community
Athletics
Administrative
Videos
By Campus
dropdown menu
Hawaiʻi
Hilo
Honolulu
Kapiʻolani
Kauaʻi
Leeward
Mānoa
Maui
West Oʻahu
Windward
Back To Top
Skip to content
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
April 20, 2026
UH News
Reading time:
2
minutes
Carlos Peñaloza, Gabe Lee, Robert Cazimero and Wendy Hensel.
A master of hula and Hawaiian music whose influence spans generations, Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of
Hawaiʻi
.
The Board of Regents approved the honor at its April 16 meeting at
Kapiʻolani
Community College
, following a request from
Leeward Community College
Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. The degree will be formally conferred during Leeward
CC
’s fall convocation.
“I never really thought about this before, and to have it happen in such a truly beautiful, humbling—and even overwhelming—way, I’m grateful,” said Cazimero. “I’m really happy to be here.”
UH
ties and cultural impact
Cazimero and Regent Neil Abercrombie
Cazimero is widely recognized for his leadership of Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua and his influence on generations of haumāna (students), as well as his celebrated career in Hawaiian music. His work has helped strengthen the continuity and global reach of Hawaiian cultural traditions.
Throughout his career, he has been a steadfast partner to
UH
, supporting its mission to nurture knowledge, improve cultural identity and inspire future generations. Across
UH
’s 10 campuses, he has shared his time and expertise through guest lectures, workshops, performances and mentorship rooted in a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility).
“His engagement with our campus community has provided students, faculty and staff with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from a master practitioner whose work bridges ancestral knowledge and contemporary expression,” said Keala Chock, a former student and Leeward
CC
vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Related story:
Legendary musician Robert Cazimero opens exhibit with Windward CC students
, January 2026
Cazimero’s engagement at Leeward
CC
reflects an enduring partnership in cultural learning and mentorship, helping to deepen students’ experiences with
ʻike
Hawaiʻi
(Hawaiian knowledge). He is also the featured artist in
Ke Kilo Lani
, an exhibition
presented by Windward
CC
that highlights his life, legacy and contributions through immersive cultural storytelling.
During the meeting, Regent Neil Abercrombie shared an emotional memory of seeing Cazimero perform for the first time at
UH
Mānoa’s Andrews Amphitheatre in the 1970s. Regent Diane Paloma also noted that she was among his students, reflecting his lasting impact as an educator and mentor.
The honorary doctorate recognizes individuals of national or international distinction whose contributions have had a significant impact in areas such as business, public service or scholarship.
Cazemero surrounded by his former students and Leeward
CC
leaders.
Related Posts:
Robert Cazimero’s legacy honored in Gallery ʻIolani…
Legendary musician Robert Cazimero opens exhibit…
UH Board of Regents approves honorary doctorate for…
Board of Regents
Hawaiian studies
honorary doctorate
Leeward Community College
UH Community Colleges
UH System
Share This
Universities
UH
Mānoa
UH
Hilo
UH
West
Oʻahu
Community Colleges
Hawaiʻi
CC
Honolulu
CC
Kapiʻolani
CC
Kauaʻi
CC
Leeward
CC
UH
Maui College
Windward
CC
Most Popular
UH
Mānoa chancellor finalists selected; 1st finalist Vassilis Syrmos visit April 27–28
Garret Yoshimi to retire after decade of
IT
leadership at
UH
Kumu hula Robert Cazimero to receive
UH
honorary doctorate
Featured Video
Aloha Bash 2026
previous post:
In memoriam: Professor Emeritus, ALOHAnet co-founder Franklin Kuo
next post:
UH
medical student earns fellowship for pediatric eye cancer research
Watch the latest news of the University of Hawaiʻi
View News Videos
2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Have a story idea or a question?
Contact
news@hawaii.edu
An
equal opportunity institution
Use of this site implies consent
with our
Usage Policy
copyright © 2026
University of Hawaiʻi
X
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
Contact
UH
If required, information contained on
this website can be made available in
an alternative format upon request.
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
About
Calendar
COVID-19 Updates
Directory
Emergency Information
For Media
MyUH
Work at
UH
English
Gagana Samoa
Kapasen Chuuk
Lea faka-Tonga - Tongan
Tiếng Việt
ภาษาไทย
Ilokano
Tagalog
Cebuano
Kajin Majôl
简体中文
繁體中文
日本語
한국어
Español
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
By Category
dropdown menu
Academic
Research
People
Community
Athletics
Administrative
Videos
By Campus
dropdown menu
Hawaiʻi
Hilo
Honolulu
Kapiʻolani
Kauaʻi
Leeward
Mānoa
Maui
West Oʻahu
Windward
Back To Top