View the Makaha Sons press release

Hot News!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2007
Contact: Sharlene Oshiro e: [email protected]
c: 808-341-5820
THE MÄKAHA SONS SHARE THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA WITH 68,000+ AT GILLETTE STADIUM
Earlier today, the Mäkaha Sons, along with Hökü Zuttermeister
and Ioane Burns, kicked off the third game of the season for
the New England Patriots with a rousing a cappella rendition of
the "Star Spangled Banner." Dressed in the Patriots' team jerseys, and wearing real orchid lei flown in from Hawai‘i, Moon,
John, Jerome, Hökü, and Ioane stood at the 50-yard line in front
of the color guard, the Patriot cheerleaders, and almost 70,000
appreciative fans at the Patriots' home, the Gillette Stadium, in
Foxborough, MA.
The Mäkaha Sons, well known for their majestic harmonies, sang
the national anthem in their own unique style. Hökü, an up and
coming star with a golden voice, took the lead while Ioane Burns,
Hökü's bass player and the Mäkaha Sons' soundman, sang along.
Leader Moon Kauakahi was given one day to arrange the song for
the group, and despite the last-minute notice, the results were amazing. Moon has arranged such beautiful works as the Sons' own
"Ke Alaula," "Kamali‘i O Ka Po/Hanohano Wailuanuiahoano,"
and Keali‘i Reichel's "Kawaipunahele."
As their voices built to a climax, fireworks were set off
and the crowd cheered. The
song came to an end with a pair of Air Force F18 fighter jets flying overhead, and
the group came off the field to thunderous applause. Concert promoter and lifelong Patriots' fan Rick Savastano said he has been coming to games since he was
six years old and has never seen a reaction from the fans like the one given to the
Mäkaha Sons', Hökü, and Ioane. Members of the Patriots' organization gave them
the "thumbs up" sign and yelled "Tremendous job! Tremendous job!" The group
exited the field with fans running down to the rails, giving them "high 5's" and
screaming "Aloha" and "Mahalo."
It was an emotional experience for the five musicians. Jerome Koko said, "at one
point when the crowd started cheering I got choked up and I almost couldn't sing."
Hökü said "The experience was so overwhelming, I almost cried twice!" John
Koko, a football fan, glanced around at the stadium full of people, with the Patriots
running in to take the field just a few feet away, and simply said, "This is the real
deal."
The Mäkaha Sons and Hökü Zuttermeister continue their
East Coast tour with New York City, Pittsburgh and
Maryland coming up. They then return to Hawai‘i for two
nights at Chai's Island Bistro, Oct. 9 and 10, and then gear
up for their big Christmas concert at the Sheraton Waikïkï
on December 15.
For more information on
the Mäkaha Sons
please visit their official website at:
www.MakahaSons.com