‘Legends of Hawaiian 12-String Guitar’ at the Aratani

George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, Jerome Koko

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center presents “Legends of Hawaiian 12-String Guitar,” a special evening featuring founding member of the legendary Mākaha Sons, Jerome Koko, and Grammy winners George Kahumoku Jr. and Daniel Ho live in concert, together on stage for the first time, on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. at the Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo.

This program features celebrated masters of the Hawaiian 12-string guitar, a musical legacy brought back to prominence at the height of the second Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s, and the debut of a brand new album 13 years in the making.

Jerome Koko is the last active member of the original award-winning group Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau, which featured a young Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole (pre-“Over the Rainbow”). Along with Moon Kauakahi (also a co-founder of Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau) and brother John, Koko carried on as the Mākaha Sons when IZ pursued his solo career. As a trio, the legendary Mākaha Sons have performed internationally and across the U.S., most notably at Carnegie Hall.

Multi-Grammy winner George Kahumoku Jr. is a true Hawaiian renaissance man. His belief in perpetuating, celebrating, and sharing Hawaiian culture and music inspired the creation of the acclaimed Slack Key Show concert series at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Maui, the first venue dedicated to presenting celebrated masters and up-and-coming Hawaiian slack key guitar artists. Live recordings from this premier show were released on the Grammy-winning compilation “Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar: Live from Maui.”

Born and raised in Honolulu, six-time Grammy-winning producer and artist Daniel Ho is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, performing original songs in English and Hawaiian that feature his versatility and island roots on ukulele, slack key guitar, and piano. He has collaborated with friend and mentor Kahumoku on 13 albums, including four Grammy winners.

“Legends of Hawaiian 12-String Guitar” will feature the debut of a new duo album, “Mākaha Sons Memoirs,” featuring Koko with Ho, on the first album release from a member of the Mākaha Sons in 13 years.

This special evening will also feature guest performances by members of the award-winning Hālau Keali‘i O Nālani.

Tickets are $32 for orchestra seats; $28 for JACCC members. Group tickets for 10 or more are $25 when using the discount code “uspace.” Tickets are available for purchase online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10025098 or by calling (213) 680-3700. Handling service fee applicable per ticket and all ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. More information is available at www.jaccc.org.