"I think to be away from home whilst the country is hurting must be tough for them, so I hope me performing would take their minds off the pain even if it's for a short time," he said.
The benefit concert is being held by local Samoan community leaders at Flaxmere Park Friday, December 20 at 5pm. Funds raised from the concert will be donated to Unicef to help families in Samoa affected by the measles crisis.
"This time of grief is bringing us all together to do what we can for our families in Samoa," co-organiser Tumena Faioso said.
Chookoon's music is hugely popular in the Pacific Islands and has a growing audience across New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
"Back in Samoa my songs have become unofficial anthems, I think partly because I connect with the young [people] and the oldies like the country music," Chookoon said.
He fell in love with country music from age 8 when his Father introduced it to him.
"I think I grew up in a bubble because everyone in the village wanted to be a rapper, reggae or R 'n' B artist. That wasn't my thing. I'm glad I kept it country and back home they call me Mr Cowboy," he said.
Country music is no different from Samoan music, he said.
"It's the same arrangement, same structure, same stories. Modern Samoan music is heavily influenced by country".
RSE employers are covering the cost of getting Chookoon to Hawke's Bay, while the star is performing for free.
There will also be performances by 140 RSE workers, the Mafia Dance Group, Project Prima Volta and the Tongan community.
Chookoon has previously performed in Auckland and Christchurch.
He is looking forward to seeing his fellow Samoans and RSE workers as he feels they have a lot in common.
"We leave our families in search of better opportunities to provide for the village. They do it through manual labour and I sing, but the journey is still the same".
For those who cannot attend donations can be made at www.unicef.org.nz/appeal/samoa-measles-emergency.
