Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Braddah

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was a man who did all he could to save the Hawaiian Community. He was born on May 20th, 1959, in Kuakini Hospital. Born the son of Henry (AKA:Tiny) KaleiAloha Naniwa Kamakwiwo`ole jr. and Evangeline Leinani (keale) Kamakawiwo`ole, he loved to play music at a very young age. As he became an adult, he found ways to make music relate to the problems we have in the world.

Jamming during a concert (Ukulele Heroes)

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole started various groups who went against drugs and violence in Hawaii. He also took part in the Kaho’olawe problem, which had to deal with the U.S. continuing their bombing on the island. Kamakawiwo’ole also sang songs that talked about the terrible past that the Hawaiians went through. In one of his songs Hawaii 78, he talked about the overthrow of the queen and the loss the Hawaiians had to deal with during that time. And in another song Living in a Sovereign Land, he talks about the Hawaiians going through rough times without money. How are they going to explain this to their children is the message he’s trying to get through. He became a leader naturally because people respected him for his courage and greatness, but most of all for is altruistic attitude.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole lived his first 10 years in Palolo Valley on the island of Oahu. His family then moved to Makaha, where he began to play music with his older brother, Skippy. While living there, he grew up, and one day while he was playing music on the beach, Jerry Kolo began to talk story with him, and thus formed the group called the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau.

Israel was born on May 20, 1959, and passed away on June 26, 1997. At that time, Kaho’olawe was going through some tough times with the bombing problem. He became heavily involved in that, and eventually the Hawaiians won over and the bombing stopped. But till this day, the Hawaiian Community is still going through other problems such as the Stryker problem on the island of Hawai’i. But I hope that Iz’s leadership passed on and thought the Hawaiians to not give up.

Showing his love with some children (Some Memories of the IZ Concert)

I think Israel Kamakawiwo’ole is important because he is the prime example of Aloha. He loved everyone, and everyone loved him. He was the kind of person that you can count on through tough times to help you out. With his big heart and his brilliant mind, he was able to lead the Hawaiian community through all the controversy that was going on at that time. And for someone to do such a thing impresses me greatly. He has made a difference in my life by making me see that I could do anything I believe in. It doesn’t matter what other people say, because it’s what you believe in. I have not seen anyone like him since, so I believe a hero like him comes once in a great while. But when he was here, he did great things to people and for people.