Wednesday 18 February 2009

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole



Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (w's are pronounced v's in Hawaiian Ca-Mah-Cah-Vi-Voh-Oh-Le) commonly called Bradah Iz to the residents of my islands was a great man, he did a lot to unite the peoples of Hawaii, and his death was a great loss to us all. He was a marvelous musician from the island of Oahu. I offer up his 1993 album Facing Future. I really think Chris will be into this due to his widely varied tastes, and I think Steven will dig it because of the song Hawaiian Sup'pa Man, and others. He was a ukulele player and had a beautiful voice, I find it sad that the style of beautiful song and writing in Hawaiian music has fallen out of disuse these days.

Iz spent the last part of his life battling weight problems, he finally died due to respiratory illness caused by his 736 pounds on his 6' 3" frame. The Hawaiian flag flew at half mast, and his koa wood coffin was displayed in the capital, the third person to be awarded this honor. His funeral was massive, hundreds of people from all of the islands came in to attend, his ashes were spread in the pacific.

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