May 07, 2024
Herbs’ Hona’s solo act precious memory for Whirinaki
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says former Herbs frontman was a treasure not just for the country but for her hau kainga.
Hona, who joined the band as lead guitarist and singer in 1983 and steered it to embrace more Maori songs and themes, died yesterday of cancer.
Ms Davidson says when she went back to Whirinaki for a celebration of her political career, Hona provided the musical accompaniment.
“The music of Herbs is just part of our DNA eh as a country and along with all those precious memories I have memories of Willie personally and being from home so I really do mihi to my valley and our wider whanau whanui for such a beautiful human being and his passing. When I go the news it was really quite sad,” she says.
The whanau say Willie Hona will be taken tomorrow from Te Piiti Mare in Omanaia to Pa Te Aroha Marae in Whirinaki.