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A Tribute to Israel Kamakawiwoole
The life story of legendary
Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
BORN: May 20, 1959
DIED: June 26, 1997
FATHER: Henry KaleiAloha Naniwa Kamakwiwo`ole Jr. (Tiny)
MOTHER: Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo`ole (Keale)
UNCLE: Moe Keale (legendary in Hawaiian music)
OLDER BROTHER: Skippy Kamakwiwo`ole
SISTER: ?
DAUGHTER: ?
CHILDHOOD: 1st 10 yaers in the Palolo Valley on Oahu
MOVED TO: Makaha on Oahu
STARTED PLAYING MUSIC WITH SKIPPY: at age 11
FIRST BREAK: playing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon
Born on May 20, 1959
He grew up in Kaimuki, mostly at 9th and Kalua Streets.
In his early teens the family moved to Makaha, where
IZ and his brother Skippy formed the Makaha Sons of
Niihau with Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome
Koko.
1982 - IZ's brother Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole died of a heart
attack at age 28.
What year? - IZ married his childhood sweetheart
Marlene, and they have a daughter who the name
Ceslieanne "Wehi".
1985 - Makaha Sons win best traditional album and group
of the year at the Hoku Awards
1987 - Makaha Sons album "Hoala" wins Haku Mele, Traditional
Hawaiian Album, and Group of the year Hoku Awards
1991 - IZ's first album "Ka'Ano'i" wins Hoku award for
contemporary album of the year and male vocalist of the year.
1992 - Makaha Sons "Makaha Bash 3' wins Group of the Year
and Engineering Hoku awards (IZ performed on that album).
The song "Broken Promise", recorded by Roland Cazimero,
Henry Kapono, and Cyril Pahinui and IZ won single of the year.
1993 - Ho'oluana" by the Makaha Sons won Hoku Awards for
Engineering, Haku Mele, Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year,
Group of the Year, and Album of the Year. This was the last
album IZ recorded witht the Sons of Niihau. At this time
IZ weighed more then 750 pounds, making it difficult for him
to tour with the group
1993 - Facing Fugure: The first solo album recorded by IZ?
after 17 years of performing with the Makaha Sons. The album
was a more traditional album, but at the Hoku Awards it
was overshadowed by Hapa's strong debut album.
1994 - IZ was voted favorite entertainer of the year by HARA
and the public. Krash Kealoha suggested the public vote category.
1995 - IZ's album "E ala E" IZ sing's with his dead brother
Skippy through studio magic, which allowed them to sing
the title song together. IZ's EKG reading forms part of the
album art.
1996 - At 1996 Hoku Awards Ceremony IZ was singing on stage
when he was joined by his ex-bandmates, the Makaha Sons.
1997 - Izzy's album "N Dis Life" won Album of the Year,
Male Vocalist, Island Contemporary Album, and the Graphics Award.
He was also voted favorite Hawaiian Entertainer by the public.
IZ's manager John de Mello of Apple Mountain and co-producer
Ho'omalia accepted the award for hospitalized IZ.
Dropped out of Waianae High School, but he
wanted to hire a tutor and get his GED.
Singer, composer, musician, produced albums.
At one time he had a problem with drugs, but
he said he had kicked that habit.
Sang with the Son's of Niihau until 1993
1993 - became a solo singer
1994 - singer of the year at the Na Hoku Hanohano awards
1996 - May reunion concert with three partners from
the Makaha Sons on Niihau
Died on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 a.m. at
the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu,
where he had been hospitalized for respiratory
problems and other weight related illnesses.
He was survived by his wife Marlene and his
daughter Ceslieanne "Wehi" Kamakawiwo'ole,
who was 14 at the time, and his sister Lydia, who
is married to Kauakahi (who is that?). The state of Hawaii
ordered flags flown at half mast on the day
of his funeral, and more then 20,000 people
attended a memorial held in
the State Capitol Rotunda.
IZ was 6' 2" tall, but he had a wieght problem
all of his life. At his heaviest he weighed
more then 750 pounds. In 1995 he vowed to shed 360 pounds.
At one point in his career he required a forklift to
get him on stage. Walking was very difficult for him
and he relied on an auxiliary oxygen to breathe.
He was hospitalized briefly in 1996
IZ's brother
Skippy died at age 28 in 1982. At the time
of his death, IZ was being managed by
Jon de Mello of the Mountain Apple recording
company.
See also:
More About Israel Kamakawiwoole
Hawaiian Music Artists A to Z
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