Attentive fans will have seen the Makaha Sons as featured guests on "The Captain and Tennille Show," NBC's "Today Show" and in the movie, North Shore. Locally, they've appeared on "Island Music/Island Heart," "Emme's Island Moments" and alongside musical icon, Kenny Loggins of "Loggins and Messina" fame.
The group has had the honor of playing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and, here in Hawai`i, they entertained the President and Vice-President of the United States. Yet no matter how far and wide this group roams, one thing is for certain -- the Sons never forget their roots; they always return home.
Once on the home front, they are mindful of the future; their "Makaha Sons Foundation," supports a variety of causes, helping Hawai`i's police officers, assisting families afflicted with illnesses and providing academic scholarships.
Since venturing out on their own, the trio has become a force to be reckoned with in the music business. The Makaha Sons are not only consummate performers, they are also experienced promoters and producers. For the past five years they've brought their signature concert "Take a Walk in the Country" to thousands of fans; in 2005, they produced the successful, star-studded Christmas Concert at the Hawai`i Theater.
In addition, their record label/production company is the executive producer for Hoku Zuttermeister's upcoming and highly-anticipated CD, Aina Kupuna. They have also produced, from start to finish, their first DVD entitled, The Makaha Sons Live at the Hawai'i Theater.
This limited 30th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, released on December 19, 2006, provides the viewer with many magical moments and amusing stories from their 2006 Hana Hou! Performance.
If John Koko is telling any of the stories it is sure to be hilarious. I know this because I got to correspond with him quite a bit for this story and, I gotta tell yah, he is one funny Hawaiian.
BIW was not able to meet with "Moon" as he was in Japan doing a hula workshop with his hula brother from Waimapuna, but here's what we learned from the bro's.
BIW: After being together for so long, don't you guys just get sick of one another?
Jerome: That's the beauty of Makaha Sons we're closing in on 31 years.
Believe it or not we still enjoy each other's company. It's that special time that we have together just for an hour or two, then everyone goes their separate ways.
John: It hasn't happened yet, thank God and knock on wood. After we started running our own business in 2000, we actually got closer. We're all close. Jerome and I would call or visit each other just about every other day. As for our cousin Moon, nowadays, we kinda let him spend more time with his three grand kids. Once in awhile we'll go over his house to play cribbage and eat.
BIW: Have you guys been together longer than your own marriages?
Jerome: Yes! This year my wife Yolanda and I will be celebrating 30 years of marriage.
John: I joined the group back in 1984...after the passing of Skippy Kamakawiwo`ole. My wife and I got married on June 23, 1979, so, for me, I've been married longer then being part of the Makaha Sons (of Ni`ihau) By the way, I'm still happily married to my high school sweetheart [Toni].
BIW: Give me an example of a "Makaha Son" heated argument?
Jerome: Praising each other for a job well done. When's the next day off?
John: I don't remember having one. Jerome and Moon are older than me and mom always taught us how to respect our k-puna. Just kidding.
BIW: You got to play for the president and vice president. Which ones did you play for?
Jerome: Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
John: Well, we've been together for so long...the only ones I remember playing for was George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt. Nah, it was for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
BIW: What was the occasion?
Jerome: Nothing special. It was a stopover for a couple days from the Orient. The Democratic Party did some special things for him and his entourage. We were so blessed that day to do the entertainment along with Teresa Bright and Palani Vaughn. The funny part about that trip is when he wanted to stop at McDonald's in Waim-nalo for hamburger and fries. Everyone who was in McDonald's that day still remembers all those black SUVs and motorcycle cops pulling up in the parking lot.
John: The president was here to buy a few of our CDs and was planning on giving us our own day! Hahahahahaha! I'm on a roll this evening. Actually, I forgot the reason they were here.
BIW: And do you recall any scandals going on at the White House during this time?
Jerome: Nothing! The Monica thing came years later.
John: I'm pleading the 5th on this one...I'm sure almost everyone knows the situation between the President and Ms. L-e-w-i-n-s-k-y! Hellloooo!
BIW: How does it feel to be celebrating your first "Makaha Sons" Day?
Jerome: Anytime you have something dedicated to you by the city and state it's special in itself. Celebrating it, will be like any other day, thanking the good Lord for all his blessings.
John: I haven't thought about it...not sure what our plans are. But, if we're having a BIG celebration, no better place to have it then in Hilo, Hawai`i at the Palace Theater. Las Vegas would be another great place, too! Having a day for just us is really special. It's like celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day. Now we all can celebrate Makaha Sons Day by going out and buying lots of lei and gifts or you may go to the Palace Theatre and purchase your tickets for the BIGGEST concert in Hilo, Hawai`i for 2007.
BIW: What projects surrounding your music are you currently working on?
Jerome: We just released our first DVD in December and just returned from Los Angeles, where we shot the second DVD at Whittier College. Release date November 1, 2007.
John: For more information go to http://www.makahasons.com. Recently, we just got back from LA and finished recording our second DVD. We'll be releasing a CD along with this new DVD. By the way, this DVD/CD has a lot of new songs we haven't recorded in the past, like Mokihana Lullaby, E Ku`u Sweet, Lei Poina`ole, Ku`u Hoa, Makaha/Waik-k- Hula and a few songs we have recorded in the past, like K-leohano, Kawohikukapulani and H-li`ilua.
BIW: Your comical antics have won the hearts of many.
Jerome: To me comedy is a two edged sword. It's great, but by today's standards you have to watch what you say and do. It might be funny to everyone at the moment but it might hit a nerve with someone else. First and foremost Makaha Sons will always be noted as one of Hawai`i's best harmony group. The antics enhance our performance.
BIW: Give us an example?
Jerome: It's hard to do racial, fat, and skinny people jokes now days. People take it to serious. I always tell our fans when you come to see Makaha Sons sit, relax, and soak up every minute of the performance because in 90 minutes it will be all over.
John: There's only one comedian in the group . . . Jerome is a genius behind the microphone. Every show we do is different. You'll never know what he'll say next. For example, he'll razz any hula dancer that is messing up his or her motions while dancing with us.
BIW: Where are you going after the Big Island performance?
Jerome: We're heading to the 10th island of Hawai`i -- Japan.
John: Well, since there's no Sam Choy's Restaurant (my favorite eating place) in Hilo, I'll probably go to Nori's -- another excellent place to eat. If you're talking performance wise, we're heading back to Japan and more mainland trips.
In celebration of these legendary entertainers' accomplishments, the Palace Theater will be hosting the Makaha Sons' live performance on Saturday, February 24 at 7:30pm Tickets: $25/adv-$30/door. Palace Theatre Box office: 934-7010.
