In anticipation of the Makaha Sons’ 40th anniversary next year, Jerome Koko has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning musician-producer Daniel Ho for a “Makaha Sons Memoirs” CD release. It’s a compilation of tunes that have been at the heart of the Hawaiian music group though not commonly recorded or performed.
Koko remains the only original member of the group. (Yes, he is Uncle Jerome of that Hawaiian Self-Storage commercial airing on local TV.)
With “Memoirs,” Koko takes a literary turn with a five-page biographical narrative instead of liner notes. The text portends a possible book to revisit the past triumphs and hardships of the Makaha Sons, originally called the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau. He said he wrote about how he formed the group with Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, who departed the ranks about two years ago, and “how we went to school, recapping the years gone by.” Also part of the story is when John Koko, Jerome’s brother, joined the band. (John died June 25, 2012.)
Curiously, while Skippy Kamakawiwo‘ole is mentioned (he died Oct. 1, 1982), brother Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, aka Bruddah Iz, is noticeably absent from the memoir (he died June 26, 1997). Both were Makaha Sons staples, and Koko promised, “They will be part of the book when we go into depth in the history.”
The narrative is raw, revealing but rambling, full of personal and private insights. The disc offers a range of tender and enriching moments, including “Poliahu,” “Kaleleonalani” and “Just a Little,” a Del Beazley composition paying homage to John Koko.
“I’m carrying on the torch,” said Koko of “Memoirs.” …
AROUND TOWN: Jack “Tihati” Thompson, co-founder of Tihati Productions, is making strides after double knee surgery at Straub Hospital and physical therapy at the Rehab Hospital. Now home, Thompson is leaner and has graduated from a walker to a cane. You go, guy! …
Starwood’s Sheraton Waikiki Hotel is a Season 6 partner with CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0,” with RumFire already depicted in two episodes. To celebrate the alliance, RumFire has introduced two new drinks, according to Dara Young, new complex PR director at Starwood resorts in Waikiki. “E Kono Mai Tai” is an homage to Kono Kalakaua (Grace Park), reinventing the bourbon-rum fave, and “Five-0 Clock Shadow” is a nonalcoholic tropical mango-coconut-banana concoction. …
Bruno Mars sent an autographed memento — a backstage pass from one of his concerts — for the auction at the recent Malama Palama fundraiser for Palama Settlement. Emme Tomimbang, one of the honorees, secured the gift but not without a hustle. Bruno’s dad, Peter Hernandez, helped; friends put the souvenir on a flight, which Roy Tokujo hand-carried to Honolulu and Jason Kina delivered to the Sheraton-Waikiki. …
SPOOK-TACULARS: A sky-high Halloween hoopla — at SKY Waikiki and Top of Waikiki, Honolulu’s newest go-to destination — includes a Fright Night costume contest Oct. 31, offering a $5,000 cash prize. Two DJs, Toma and Zilla, will provide the vibes at both sites, with Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell as the theme, reviving hits of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. Doors open at 8 p.m.; costume competish from 8 p.m. to midnight. …
“Dana Land’s Halloween Spooktacular,” complete with jazz and costume contest (for scariest, funniest and most creative), is another option from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace. Land’s backup will feature Tommy James (piano), Alika Lyman (bass) and Von Baron (drums). Visit www.medicismanoa.com. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his “Show and Tell Hawaii” blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
