And then there was one. When the Makaha Sons‘ Christmas show, "Makaha Kalikimaka," unfolds at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art, longtime group member Louis "Moon" Kauakahi will not be present. He "retired" during the summer.
That leaves Jerome Koko the lone member of the popular group. He owns the Makaha Sons name and remains dedicated to continue the group’s legacy.
Kauakahi, of course, has been an integral member whose Hawaiian music and language savvy was impeccable. He exited the band to focus on his daytime job at the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center. Gigs, particularly trips, meant less home time with his wife.
"Traveling became difficult," said Koko of Kauakahi’s amicable departure. "But I’ll carry on the Makaha Sons torch. We’ve been together for 38 years now."
Change has been part of the group’s DNA and growth. Over the decades, the Makaha Sons lost Skippy Kamakawiwo‘ole, his brother Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole and John Koko (Jerome’s brother).
The Koko brothers and Kauakahi perseveredafter Bruddah Iz left the ranks to seek a solo career (he died June 26, 1997) and after John Koko’s unexpected passing on June 26, 2012, due to heart problems.
"It’s a little lonely, and finding the right musicians is tough, because there are only certain people around," said Koko. Since Kauakahi’s split, Eric Lee, Markie Mark, Danny Naipo and Glen Smith have joined Koko on stage.
"I have to carry on the tradition," said Koko, "and do the music we can." …
FAME GAME: Realtor Margaret Murchie of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties went to Broadway as a fan and wound up a brief Broadway performer on a legit stage dancing with a Tony-winning star.It happened at "Cabaret," starring Alan Cumming as the Emcee (his Tony role) and Emma Stone as Sally Bowles, at Studio 54. When she joined Diamond Head Theatre’s annual trek to the Great White Way, little did Murchie know she’d get her five minutes of glory when Cumming whisked her up from the audience (the show utilizes cabaret seating) to the stage to dance with him. "He asked my name and then where I was from, and when I said Honolulu, the audience went crazy with applause," said Murchie. Ah, fame! …
FINAL ALOHA: Condolencesto Nanci Chinen, who sang with hubby TeddyChinen during their local and global run as Teddy and Nanci Tanaka.Teddy died Nov. 28 at the Queen’s Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at Hosoi Mortuary, with visitation from 1 p.m. Jimmy Borges will be among those who’ll sing.
Tanaka was known as Mr. Happiness due to his early recording of the Japanese melody "Koko Ni Sachi Ari (Here Is Happiness)," and the Tanakas were popular lounge and showroom troupers before shifting to religious music and missionary work. …
Paul Martinez died Nov. 18. A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at Hawaiian at the Elks Club in Waikiki, with graveside services at 10 am. Jan. 19 at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Martinez was a noted ukulele player and arranger of vocal harmony. "It was a joy for Paul to share his passion for music and life with others," said wife Ellen Elena Hollinger-Martinez. …
CORRECTION: Graveside services for entertainer Paul Martinez will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at Hawaiian Memorial Park. An incorrect date was listed in an earlier version of this story and in the Show Biz column on Page F2 of Sunday’s Today section.
TRADEWINDS: As the Honolulu Boy Choir preps for its 40thanniversary concert Saturday at Central Union Church, director Blake Nuibeis searching for alumni singers to join in. A rehearsal is set for 6 p.m. Friday; call him at596-7464 or email bnuibe@hotmail.com.
Choir grads include Jeff Rasmussen, Bobby Moderow, Sean Na‘auao, Makana, Weldon Keauoha, Stephen Inglis, Mark Maleko McDonnell, Hailama Farden, Fred Kamaka Jr., Manny Dayao III, Andrew Pang, Elitei Tatafu, Kaleo Trinidad, Kale Chang, Jordan Segundo, Robert Viernes Jr., Taizo Braden, Kaimi Pelekai and Jarrett Souza. …
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.
