AHA e-News
Exclusive:
Interview with Jerome Koko
of the Makaha Sons
In celebration of Makaha Sons participation in this year's second
annual AHA production, 'Alua,
AHA member Kapua Pierce interviewed the Hawaiian music veteran
by email about the history of his celebrated band and his tenure
as a Hawaiian music icon. |
 |
| Jerome Koko warms
up before taking the stage with the Makaha Sons. |
| AHA: |
First
off, tell us about the history of the Makaha Sons and
your original group, The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau —
who were the original members? |
| Jerome: |
Original members were
Skippy and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Louis Kauakahi, Jerome
Koko, and Sam Gray. |
| AHA: |
How was the group
formed? |
| Jerome: |
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
was first formed in 1975. I met Israel on the beach and
we exchanged names, found out that we both had the same
background and love for Hawaiian music. The next day got
to meet his whole family, and on February 22, 1976 we
played our first professional gig. The rest is history. |
| AHA: |
What was the musical
climate at the time of its formation in the 1970's? |
| Jerome: |
Hawaiian music was booming
in the early 70's, a renaissance that was started by Peter
Moon and the Sunday Manoa. Hawaiian music just thrived
after that. Other groups helping with the renaissance
those years were: Sons of Hawai'i, Hui 'Ohana, Aunty Genoa,
Pops Gabby Pahinui and all of his sons, and Palani Vaughn. |
| AHA: |
What were some
of your first successes as a group? |
| Jerome: |
If you call it success,
making our first album in 1976. Other successes came later
on in our careers, winning our first Na Hoku Hanohano
Award in 1985. |
| AHA: |
Was this event
or any other pivotal in establishing the success of the
group or has it been a steady ride to the top? |
| Jerome: |
For Makaha Sons, it has
just been a wonderful and steady ride to the top, but
it's always nice to stay a little from the top. That way
we have something to strive for. It's easy to get to the
top, but maintaining it is the hard part. |
| AHA: |
You are performing
a tribute to Braddah Iz in Honolulu this weekend. How
was Makaha Sons marked when the deaths of Skippy and Braddah
Iz occurred in '82 and in '97? |
| Jerome: |
Both deaths were tragedies
not only for the group, but all who knew them. At times
people had doubts if the Makaha Sons can survive without
the brothers. Many claimed that we couldn't do it; at
times it hurt, but you swallow your pride and move on.
You take the negatives and make it positive and do what
you do best and that's making wonderful music. |
| AHA: |
What were the
circumstances that lead you to play Carnegie Hall? |
| Jerome: |
A funny thing happened
in 1976, after finishing our first album a wonderful lady
by the name of Jacquline Rossetti (Honolulu Skylark),
posed a question to us. She asked where would we see ourselves
in twenty years, what dreams or goals do we have for the
future of entertaining people. I told her out of the blue
that it will be nice to play at Carnegie Hall, not even
knowing that twenty years to the day in 1996 we would
step on the stage at Carnegie Hall. Not once, but twice;
also going back there in 1998. |
| AHA: |
Which song(s)
would you consider your signature song? |
| Jerome: |
I think all the songs
that we recorded has a beauty of it's own. It's hard to
pinpoint a signature song. But, if you said what is the
most popular I would have to go with:
Ua Mehameha/White
Sandy Beach, I'll Remember You, Ke Alaula, Kaleohano,
Kamalani, Nohili E, Hali'ilua and many others. |
| AHA: |
With 29 year of
playing Hawaiian music, how do you feel Hawaiian music
has evolved? |
| Jerome: |
Hawaiian music will always
have its up and downs and we've been through it many times
over the 29 years of performing. But Hawaiian music will
always be around whether it's popular at one time or another
it will never fade away. |
| AHA: |
Do you feel there
is a renaissance in Hawaiian culture now similar to the
70's (with Hawaiian immersion, etc.) or do you feel the
70's were the golden years? |
| Jerome: |
The 70's were the golden
years for Hawaiian music and I think now we still hold
a little of those golden years. With the start of the
immersion schools, Hawaiian language, culture and hula
have been on a steady rise since the early 80's and doesn't
show any signs of slowing down. |
The Sons performing on tour in Las Vegas. |
|
| AHA: |
Next year
will be Makaha Sons' 30th Anniversary. What do you have planned
to celebrate the milestone? |
| Jerome: |
Every place and performance
that we do next will be billed as our 30th Anniversary; I think
that will sum up the milestone. But of course, can't miss the
big concert at the Waikiki Shell on June 17, 2006 "Take
A Walk In The Country 4." |
| AHA: |
What are the international
stops on your tours? |
| Jerome: |
Japan, Rome, maybe China. We
would like to visit some of the other Polynesian Islands. |
| AHA: |
Any interesting stories
from those stops? |
| Jerome: |
Japan, just hanging with Yokozuna
Musashimaru, Akebono and Konishiki...everything is free when
we go places to eat especially at Konishiki's restuarant (called
"Unbalanced"). Every place we visited or performed
has its own magic. Can't beat Japan for its food, Las Vegas
for its gambling — my passion. |
| AHA: |
How do you keep your
relationship as band members going strong for so many years?
|
| Jerome: |
Being honest, humble, and always
making each performance enjoyable. |
| AHA: |
You are now working
with up and coming artists in Hawai’i…helping them
navigate the music industry. Who are they and what can we look
forward to? |
| Jerome: |
One is Hoku Zuttumiester,
who has a wide vocal range, plays all string instruments,
well rounded, look for his CD next year. Another is Barry
Timoteo who has a sweet falsetto voice and a guitar wizard
in the Kī ho'alu (slack key) style; look for
his CD next year too. Last year, we helped Natalie Ai with
her own record label and recording. She's doing fabulously
now. Also, Raiatea Helm... what more can we say— the
rest is history. There are more in the can that we'll reveal
at a later date. |
| AHA: |
What are some of the
pitfalls you are trying to help
them avoid? |
| Jerome: |
Just giving them guidance on
doing their own label and
owning everything — 100% of their recordings. |
| AHA: |
How did you come to
meet and work with Kumu Mark, and what other performances besides
'Alua are planned with Kumu Mark and AHA? |
| Jerome: |
We first met and worked with
Kumu through our previous manager about ten years ago. We're
in the planning stages of bringing Kumu Mark and his Halau to
our 30th Anniversary Concert "Take A Walk In The Country
4" June 17, 2006, at the Waikiki Shell. |
| AHA: |
Any message to people
waiting to see you in CA? |
| Jerome: |
Mahalo nui loa from
the Makaha Sons, for giving us all your love and support throughout
the years. |
| AHA: |
What can we look forward
to from Makaha Sons in the next 30 years? |
| Jerome: |
More CDs, DVDs, concert performances,
new merchandise, and just maybe that little statue we call the
Grammy. |
Mahalo nui to Jerome Koko for this interview. We look
forward to experiencing the magic of the Makaha Sons at Chabot
College in Hayward, CA on Saturday, November 19th at
'Alua. Get
your tickets today!! |
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