Israel kamakawiwo'ole ?!
Question:
Israel kamakawiwo'ole ?
Can anyone tell me about Israel's death and date? and maybe anything about him that you know? thanks!
Answers:
Israel "Bruddah IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced IPA [kamakaʋiwoˈʔole]) was a musician who lived in Hawaiʻi until his death at the age of 38.
He became famous outside Hawaiʻi when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.
Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land and of the people of Hawaiʻi. Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawai'ian music over the last 15 years.
Death
Throughout the latter part of his life, Iz was significantly obese and at one point carried 758 pounds (343 kg) on his 6 foot, 2 inch (1.88 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.[2]
The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral. His koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be accorded this honor (the other two were Governor John A. Burns and Senator Spark Matsunaga) and the only non-politician. Over 10,000 people attended his funeral. His ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997.[3]
On September 20, 2003, hundreds paid tribute to Iz as a 200-pound bronze bust of the revered singer was unveiled at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center on O'ahu. The singer's widow, Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, and sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer were present for the dedication ceremony.[4]
[edit] After Death
Ten years after passing away (26th June 2007) many people remembered him. It also saw an increase in digital sales of songs such as 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'. In addition, a new album was released entitled "Wonderful World". It was created by combining previous recordings with new orchestral tracks.
Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole was born on the island of Niʻihau to Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa and Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwoʻole. He moved to the island of Oʻahu at an early age, and was raised in the community of Kaimuki on the outskirts of Waikīkī, where his parents had met and married. He began playing music with his older brother Skippy at the age of 11, being privy to the music of the great Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as the likes of Peter Moon, Palani Vaughn, and Don Ho, who frequented the establishment where Iz's parents worked.
In his early teens, his family moved to Makaha, Hawaii. There, he met Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome Koko. Together with his brother Skippy they formed the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau.From 1976 throughout the 1980s, the Hawaiian contemporary band gained in popularity as they toured Hawaiʻi and the continental United States and released 5 successful albums.
In 1982, Iz's brother Skippy Kamakawiwoʻole died of a heart attack. In that same year, Iz married his childhood sweetheart Marlene and soon after had a daughter who they named Ceslieanne "Wehi".
Hope this helps.