iz israel kamakawiwoole
November 2008 
The Great IZ
Posted on Jun 22nd, 2007
by 
Sandra
Sandra
I felt a bit sad today. I didn't know this until I watched a remarkable video that Mike just posted up, a tribute to 'Bruddah IZ' Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole, who I didn't even know existed until today, and now he is dead.
Once I watched the video I just had to go and search for more. I could not get enough of this beautiful man's astonishing voice. It's not just his voice, it's his whole being, and there was a lot of that. I had a little weep, and then carried on with my day. Perhaps you wil find him as addictive as I did...
Once I watched the video I just had to go and search for more. I could not get enough of this beautiful man's astonishing voice. It's not just his voice, it's his whole being, and there was a lot of that. I had a little weep, and then carried on with my day. Perhaps you wil find him as addictive as I did...
Iz Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Tribute
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Iz ~ Hokule'a Star of Gladness
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Israel Kamakawiwoole - Hawaiian Superman
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Iz ~ Ka Pua U'i
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sending love and light.
IZ ~ Hawai'i '78
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sending love and light.
Access: PublicTagged with: Iz Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
I have listened to his music for years and I still listen to it years after his death…nothing has died.
:-) and then there is this… I seem to be on a ukelele roll..
Hi, there! Was cruizin the Zaadz while tubin the TV, & found you & IZ. Wow…My Grandmother left home on pure faith as a young woman in the early 1900's & took off, wen to Hawaii, & then Fiji, worked with the Leper colonies, as an “indie” Christian, no funding to back her, just WENT!. She had many great stories, and a voice that would melt you & bring you close to God no matter your mood. One of the things she said was that the Hawaiians who are really cool are Hawaiian & Chinese. My younger brother ended up marrying one, & got a daughter in the deal, she's now 25, and cool like her Mom. Both do the Hula beautifully, have calm, cool, & realistic attitudes, & work hard (this is the combo that Grandma liked. Too bad she passsed before these gals came into our lives. There are now 2 more, younger girls from my brother & his wofe, 7 & 5 years old….dolls!
Back to IZ…. I checked him out a few years ago, just before he passed. The BEST album I found is 'IS WORLD” he's floating in a pool on the front cover…ver worth owning!
Aloha, Sister!
Thanks DahJewel!
I'll get that album, I was wondering which one to buy. I don't suppose you have any recordings of your grandmother??
Love,
Sandra
Iz is considered a hero on the islands (I live in Maui) - most people are familiar with his opening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow (which I think is the best version hands down) because the opening has been played in several commercials and films. This post is “our” song - for those of us who live here, if performed you will not find someone sitting - all will stand in Honor of our Islands - no matter how young or how old - we stand and if you know even a tiny bit of Hawaiian you will sing along… here it is as performed by IZ (one of my favorite versions)
Here's the link if it doesn't post right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_17vGYa81shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8
Digital ghost.. I must have had a past life in Hawaii or something because I simply cannot stop wanting to listen to IZ. I always thought I had a Yiddish past life as I want to sing/dance whenever I hear Klezmer music, and then I think I’ve had a Mongolian one for sure because I feel utterly at home listening to them… so who knows. Perhaps I’ve had it all! And perhaps it simply comes down to the level of heart in the voice and for sure IZ is all heart.
Your link said ‘malformed’ - I fiddled a bit and hope this is the right one:
I truly WISH we had recorded Grandma…. at times if I reallly focus I can remember her voice. I DO remember the feeling of her praying for me & others during times of sickness….WOW! By the way, if anyone reads this & knows of stories of an Eva May Caton in either Hawaii or Fiji, I'd LOVE to find stories)
Aloha!
another friend recenly turned me onto Iz his blog. thank you for posting these amazing songand enlarging my awareness of this music even further.
namase,
laura