Bruddah Iz Lives
Somewhere over the rainbow….December 2002
More than five years after his passing, the world beyond Hawai'i's shores is finally discovering the magic of "Iz," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
For many, the introduction to Bruddah Iz came via his simple ukulele strumming that opens his recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." You may have first heard it on an eToys advertisement, or maybe in the movies "Meet Joe Black" or "Finding Forrester," or, like 50 million others, on television's "ER." But, no matter when you first heard him, chances are, when you did, Iz touched you in a way that captured you forever.
Japanee Bruddah Kyle's introduction to the music of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole came in 1980. Iz, along with his brother Skippy (who died of a heart attack in 1982, at age 28), was an original member of the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, at the time, the house band at Hank's Place, a small neighborhood bar in Kaimuki.
Growing up in the Islands, it was constantly around, but like many of my sansei friends who grew up with the music of Elton John, the Stylistics and Chicago, Hawaiian music rarely entered my consciousness. Dat is, until I wen hear Bruddah Iz.
Like one epiphany, da first time I wen hea da Makaha Sons sing "Hawai'i '78," I suddenly wen realize da importance of da Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Wen you hea da words, "If just for a day our king and queen, would visit all these islands and saw everything, how would they feel about the changes of our land," ho, sad yeah?
In stark contrast to his imposing physical presence, Iz had a gentle, ethereal quality to his singing. He was at his best when accompanied simply by his own ukulele. With more than his beautiful voice, however, Iz captivated audiences with his pure, child-like joy. Fo' sure, could tell he was having good fun, playing his ukulele and singing his mele.
Gaylord Holomalia, a member of Kalapana, who often performed with him, said Iz "never did a song that didn't have a meaning to it. Sometimes when he played songs in concerts he would end it with tears in his eyes. He never just played music. He lived it and the message."
Bruddah Iz continues to garner posthumous accolades. In Billboard's upcoming Year in Music issue, Iz will be ranked Number One on the 2002 Top World Music chart for his "Facing Future" CD. This 1993 release, which recently became the first-ever Hawai'i album to be certified as a Gold Record, has been on Billboard's best-sellers chart for 190 weeks and in its Top Five for over a year.
The most meaningful plaudits, however, come from his fans. Best-selling author, Dean Koontz, in the introduction to his novel "From the Corner of His Eye," stated, "As I wrote this book, the singular and beautiful music of the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was always playing. I hope that the reader finds pleasure in my story equal to the joy and consolation that I found in the voice, the spirit, and the heart of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole."
In addition to Dean Koontz, the unofficial Iz fan club includes Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Favreau, director Martin Brest, and sumotori Konishiki, Akebono and Musashimaru.
Perhaps because of his own size, Iz felt a special affinity for the sport of sumo, recording two songs, "Tengoku Kara Kaminari" and "Yokozuna" dedicated to the sumotori from Hawai'i.
Whether a long-time Iz fan or recent convert, you will want to take note that several of his performances that originally aired on local television in Hawai'i, have just been released on two DVDs. "Hot Hawaiian Nights" features two separate studio performances of Bruddah Iz, recorded in 1993 and 1995. "Island Music, Island Hearts" was taped in 1995, and features Iz in several outdoor settings. Da performance at da ancient fishing village of Miloi'i, garans goin' give you chicken skin, especially wen he go sing "Hawai'i Aloha" and "Hawai'i '78."
So loved was Bruddah Iz, that when he passed away of respiratory failure in June of 1997, his body was laid in state in the rotunda of the State Capitol. Only three other individuals, Governor John A. Burns, Senator Spark Matsunaga, and recently, Congresswoman Patsy Mink, have been so honored. An estimated 10,000 people stood in line for hours to pay their last respects.
Speaking of his own mortality, Iz, himself, said, "When time fo' go, den time fo' go. When my time come, no cry fo' me. No cry fo' me."
Somewhere over the rainbow… Iz smiles as he strums his ukulele and jams with Skippy, Gabby "Pops" Pahinui and Moe Keale.
Da Two Japanee Bruddahs wish you Mele Kalikimaka Me Ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's CDs and DVDs are available at Nikkei Traditions, on the second floor of the Miyako Mall, Japantown, San Francisco and at 219 Jackson Street, Japantown, San Jose.
Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto are da Two Japanee Bruddahs. E-mail them at wot@twojapaneebruddahs.com.
