The Makaha Sons have endured a 30-year journey challenged by changes in group membership, some managerial bumps on the road, and even an identity crisis.

Earlier a foursome but now a threesome, The Makaha Sons have built their legacy on the foundation of Hawaiian music. They have won numerous awards, faced two deaths within the ranks and have soared in concerts here and abroad.

The group's momentum, characterized by traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music (with occasional departures into the realm of hapa-haole sounds and even pop stuff), continues this weekend with the highly anticipated Take a Walk in the Country concert, a five-hour star-loaded blast Saturday night at the Blaisdell Arena.

For Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko, it's been quite a ride. They've carried the Sons banner with pride and dedication, maneuvering a name change (earlier known as The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, linked to early leaders Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, who had ties to the Forbidden Island), forming their own corporation after encountering managerial problems, and surviving their biggest challenge — the departure and eventual loss of iconic entertainer Bruddah Iz, who had been the face and the frontman of the group for about two decades.

Because of their recent travels to Japan, Moon, John and Jerome responded to e-mailed questions to reflect on their milestone third decade:

Question: Looking back at 30 years, what would you characterize as the three most memorable moments?

John: For me, it was being asked to play with The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau; the second was our last performance with Iz at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (after he went solo, in a moment when he needed musical support during live performance); and the third, making The Makaha Sons a corporation.

Moon: I think one would be the recording of our very first album, "No Kristo." Perhaps the second would be receiving the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for the first time for group of the year and traditional album. And I must agree with John that the performance with Israel at the awards would be the third.

Jerome: (He had the same responses, but added a fourth). If I had four, I would say stepping on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Q: Change usually means challenges and growth. How would you analyze a) the passing of Skippy, b) the name change and c) the departure of Iz, from the performing ranks and then his ultimate death?

Moon: Skippy was the first leader of the group. He had the ability to speak to the people whenever we performed. Later on while performing at Hank's, Israel took on that responsibility. The name change occurred when Israel left to perform as his own solo entity; it was then agreed that we three would perform as The Makaha Sons, and only when the four of us got together would the entire name be used. With his untimely death, we decided to keep the name simply as The Makaha Sons.

John: I wasn't in the group when Skippy was alive, but as a family friend, it was a terrible shock. As for the departure of Iz, it hurt a lot; prior to his passing, we went to see him in the hospital, had a chance to say our "I love you's," and we went to the Mainland for a gig. While we were there, we got the news of his passing; Moon was on the plane while all this was happening. It was a very, very sad week for us.

Jerome: The passing of Skippy hit all of us real hard, we were very young at the time and didn't know how to cope with it. When Israel departed the group, we were left in limbo, not knowing what direction to take. I remember we all had a meeting and decided that 18 years together was just too much to throw away, so we sucked it up, and the rest is history.

Q: Hawaiians love to share their music, their aloha. That said, how do you honestly plan to keep the show down to five hours, with so many guests and the inevitable hana hou?

Moon: I guess we will just see how much time we will have left and go from there. I have always done a script for our portion, but halfway through, the script goes out the window.

John: We're confident the stage managers will take care of that. It's when we come on that the timing gets all messed up! It just slips away from us!

Jerome: The main thing is making sure that we get at least two hours on stage.

Q: Surely, a Grammy alongside all those Hoku Awards would be precious. Ever think of doing an all ki ho'alu CD?

Moon: The thought of an all ki ho'alu CD has not crossed my mind, and I don't think it will happen with the Sons simply because we are mostly a vocal group. I do ki ho'alu on the days that we are not performing, just something I like to do by myself.

Eventually the Grammys will realize that Hawaiian music also involves voices as well as instruments. The combination of both is what makes our music special.

John: Well, I guess there's always a small chance! If we ever do win a Grammy, I'd like the win to be with a traditional Hawaiian music CD, what we're known for.

Jerome: They say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. But I don't see a ki ho'alu CD in the near future. As in life, there's always a chance. Don't count us out yet.

Q: How goes The Makaha Sons DVD?

John: The filming is already done. It's due out before Christmas.

It was much more difficult than I expected! It seemed like every time we turned around, there was a better camera, or computer program that could edit.

As for who helped, Kawika Kahele (the trio's webmeister) — and his whole family (mom, sister, and dog, too!). Also, Gaylord Holomalia, Mike Goodknecht, Myrna Young, Sharlene Oshiro, Lyle Hosoda, Howard and Olana Ai, Hoku Zuttermeister, Barry Kimokeo, our families (helped with the filming) and mostly Burton White, who let us use the Hawai'i Theater.

We're planning to get interviews from some of the composers of some of the songs. We might add a song each from our special guests Barry and Hoku. There will be hula 'auana and kahiko by Halau Hula Olana. As for the old stuff on there, it's hard finding footage of The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau.

Q: In recent years, you've embraced young talent — Raiatea Helm earlier, Barry Kimokeo now. How do these next-generation performers make an impact?

Moon: These performers have chosen to sing the music of Hawai'i, and because of this, I feel that Hawaiian music has a chance to survive. They bring their own traditional sense to the music, and for that we adore them.

John: I think the sense of accomplishment, for me, comes from watching them being accepted by the audience.

Jerome: Just knowing that we're steering them in the right direction gives us a sense of satisfaction.

Q: Take a Walk in the Country has been one of your big shows each year. You've added Mother's Day and Christmas to the mix. But do you miss the camaraderie of the old days, when you did regular shows several nights a week?

John: I honestly can't say I miss it all that much. It was hard for us, because all of us had "regular" day jobs. Then, we'd have to drive home (all the way to Makaha), shower and change, and drive all the way to 'Aina Haina (at the old Ranch House) to play until around midnight, get back home around 2 a.m., sleep, and wake up at 5 a.m. to go back to our regular jobs! This was four nights a week; three shows per night!

Jerome: Those were the good old days, when Hawaiian music was pumping. In a way I do, but in another way, I don't miss it. It was just grueling ... a lot of sacrifice. It also meant not seeing the kids grow up. I always thank my wife for taking care of the kids.

Now they're adults, they know what struggles Dad had to make it work.

Moon: I do, in fact (miss the old days when) ... it was the smaller shows that enabled us to get up close with the people. Big concerts sort of alienate us from the public until, perhaps, after the show, but by that time, I am totally wiped out.

Q: Where do you see The Makaha Sons in the next 30 years, and how would you like to be remembered by the fans?

Jerome: The first 30 years have brought Makaha Sons many obstacles, (but) it's only made us stronger to stay together. The next 30 years, it will be nice to keep singing and helping younger groups get a head start in the business. And because we're a group, I'd like to be remembered as "awesome."

John: I'd like to be remembered as someone who helped up-and-coming musicians; someone who helped perpetuate traditional Hawaiian music, a caring, honest guy, and fun to be with.

Moon: If even one of our songs is remembered, I would be more than happy. I would like to watch my grandchildren mature into young adults, something I missed with my own daughter because I worked two jobs and never allowed enough time to watch her grow. As keepers of our own destiny now, there is no excuse for me not to be able to do so.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.