Are we talking about pkgsrc/devel/bmake ?
If so you could try sending me the output of configure and 
make -f makefile.boot bootstrap
I don't have access to a mac, but as maintiner of bmake, I'm interested
in seeing it work.

Which "make" is being used for bootstrapping do you know?

--sjg

>Thanks for that reminder Yuji.  Now I'm encountering errors with 
>making bmake, also known as, running make -f makefile.boot bootstrap. 
>I bomb out with this: make: *** [bmake.boot] Error 1.  Where do I go 
>now?