The Life of Israel Kamakawiwoole (2024)

Hawaiian Music
Artists
Awards
EventsInstruments
Slack Key
Steel Guitar
Ukulele

Song
Falsetto

Dance
Hula

Me at a Steven Espaniola Workshop

See Also

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Biography

Hawaiian Christmas Music CDs

Hawaiian Music Awards Since 1978

The life story of legendaryHawaiian 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, whereIZ and his brother Skippy formed the Makaha Sons ofNiihau with Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and JeromeKoko.

1982 - IZ's brother Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole died of a heartattack at age 28.

What year? - IZ married his childhood sweetheartMarlene, and they have a daughter who the nameCeslieanne "Wehi".

1985 - Makaha Sons win best traditional album and groupof the year at the Hoku Awards

1987 - Makaha Sons album "Hoala" wins Haku Mele, TraditionalHawaiian Album, and Group of the year Hoku Awards

1991 - IZ's first album "Ka'Ano'i" wins Hoku award forcontemporary album of the year and male vocalist of the year.

1992 - Makaha Sons "Makaha Bash 3' wins Group of the Yearand 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 forEngineering, Haku Mele, Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year,Group of the Year, and Album of the Year. This was the lastalbum IZ recorded witht the Sons of Niihau. At this timeIZ weighed more then 750 pounds, making it difficult for himto tour with the group

1993 - Facing Fugure: The first solo album recorded by IZ?after 17 years of performing with the Makaha Sons. The albumwas a more traditional album, but at the Hoku Awards itwas overshadowed by Hapa's strong debut album.

1994 - IZ was voted favorite entertainer of the year by HARAand the public. Krash Kealoha suggested the public vote category.

1995 - IZ's album "E ala E" IZ sing's with his dead brotherSkippy through studio magic, which allowed them to singthe title song together. IZ's EKG reading forms part of thealbum art.

1996 - At 1996 Hoku Awards Ceremony IZ was singing on stagewhen 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-producerHo'omalia accepted the award for hospitalized IZ.

Dropped out of Waianae High School, but hewanted to hire a tutor and get his GED.

Singer, composer, musician, produced albums.At one time he had a problem with drugs, buthe 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 fromthe Makaha Sons on Niihau

Died on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 a.m. atthe Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu,where he had been hospitalized for respiratoryproblems and other weight related illnesses.He was survived by his wife Marlene and hisdaughter Ceslieanne "Wehi" Kamakawiwo'ole,who was 14 at the time, and his sister Lydia, whois married to Kauakahi (who is that?). The state of Hawaiiordered flags flown at half mast on the dayof his funeral, and more then 20,000 peopleattended a memorial held inthe State Capitol Rotunda.

IZ was 6' 2" tall, but he had a wieght problemall of his life. At his heaviest he weighedmore then 750 pounds. In 1995 he vowed to shed 360 pounds.At one point in his career he required a forklift toget him on stage. Walking was very difficult for himand he relied on an auxiliary oxygen to breathe.He was hospitalized briefly in 1996

IZ's brotherSkippy died at age 28 in 1982. At the timeof his death, IZ was being managed byJon de Mello of the Mountain Apple recordingcompany.