His voice became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was released on his albums Ka ʻAnoʻi and Facing Future. It was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials. Along with his ukulele playing and incorporating other genres, such as jazz and reggae, Kamakawiwoʻole remains influential in Hawaiian music.
Kamakawiwoʻole was born at Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu to Henry "Hank" Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole, Jr. and Evangeline "Angie" Leinani Kamakawiwoʻole. The notable Hawaiian musician Moe Keale was his uncle and a major musical influence. He was raised in the community of Kaimuki, where his parents had met and married. He began playing music with his older brother Skippy and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11, being exposed to Hawaiian entertainers' music, such as Peter Moon, Palani Vaughn, and Don Ho, who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Israel perform when playing for a graduation party. The whole room fell silent on hearing him sing. Israel continued his path as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971, and cousin Allen parted ways in 1976 for the mainland.
In his early teens, he studied at Upward Bound (UB) of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and his family moved to Mākaha. There he met Louis Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome Koko. Together with his brother Skippy they formed the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. A part of the Hawaiian Renaissance, the band's blend of contemporary and traditional styles gained popularity as they toured Hawaii and the continental United States, releasing fifteen successful albums. Kamakawiwoʻole aimed to make music that stayed true to the typical sound of traditional Hawaiian music. During that time period, the songs that many people associated with Hawaii, typically, were not traditional-sounding songs.
The Makaha Sons of Niʻihau recorded No Kristo in 1976 and released four more albums, including Kahea O Keale, Keala, Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, and Mahalo Ke Akua. In 1982, Kamakawiwoʻole's brother, Skippy, died at age 28 of a heart attack[5] related to obesity. In that same year, Kamakawiwoʻole married his childhood sweetheart Marlene. Soon after, they had a daughter named Ceslieanne "Wehi" (born in c. 1983).
The group became Hawaii's most popular contemporary, traditional group with breakout albums 1984's Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha and its follow-up, 1986's Hoʻola. Kamakawiwoʻole's last recorded album with the group was 1991's Hoʻoluana. It remains the group's top-selling CD.
In 1990, Kamakawiwoʻole released his first solo album Ka ʻAnoʻi, which won awards for Contemporary Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year from the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). Facing Future was released in 1993 by The Mountain Apple Company. It featured a version of his most popular song, the medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" (listed as "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"), along with "Hawaiʻi 78", "White Sandy Beach of Hawaiʻi," "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man," and "Kaulana Kawaihae." The decision to include a cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was a last-minute decision by his producer Jon de Mello and Kamakawiwoʻole. Facing Future debuted at #25 on Billboard magazine's Top Pop Catalogue chart. On October 26, 2005, Facing Future became Hawaiʻi's first certified platinum album, selling more than a million CDs in the United States, according to figures furnished by the Recording Industry Association of America. On July 21, 2006, BBC Radio 1 announced that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (True Dreams)" would be released as a single in America.
In 1994, Kamakawiwoʻole was voted favorite entertainer of the year by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA).
E Ala E (1995) featured the political title song "ʻE Ala ʻE" and "Kaleohano," and N Dis Life (1996) featured "In This Life" and "Starting All Over Again."
In 1997, Kamakawiwoʻole was again honored by HARA at the Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Island Contemporary Album of the Year. He watched the awards ceremony from a hospital room.
Alone in Iz World (2001) debuted at #1 on Billboard's World Chart and #135 on Billboard's Top 200, #13 on the Top Independent Albums Chart, and #15 on the Top Internet Album Sales charts.
On December 6, 2010, NPR named Kamakawiwoʻole as "The Voice of Hawaii" in its 50 great voices series.
On March 24, 2011, Kamakawiwoʻole was honored with the German national music award Echo. The music managers Wolfgang Boss and Jon de Mello accepted the trophy in his stead.
A 2014 Pixar short film, Lava, features two volcanoes as the main characters. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his style of music was James Ford Murphy's partial inspiration for the short film.
La 'Elima
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waimaka helele'I ke alanui
Paiki pu'olo pa'a I ka lima
Waimaka helele'I I ke alanui!
Penei pepe 'alala nei
He hu'I ma'e'ele kou nui kino
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
He mele he inoa no Miloli'i
The lyrics of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's song La 'Elima describe a sorrowful journey down a road, likely one in the town of Miloli'i on the island of Hawaii, during the month of February. The first two lines of the song translate to "The fifth of February, tears streaming down the road." It is likely that the tears in question are the cliche tears of heartbreak, as the following lines describe holding onto a bag tightly with one's hands, or clinging onto something physical in a moment of desperation.
The third line of the second stanza, "Penei pepe 'alala nei," is often interpreted as a reference to a butterfly, an animal that is often used as a metaphor for transformation and rebirth. In this context, the singer may be experiencing a spiritual awakening or moment of clarity in the midst of their pain. The song concludes with the line "Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana," which roughly translates to "the story is told," and reinforces the idea that the song is telling a very specific, personal story.
Line by Line Meaning
La elima o Pepeluali
The fifth of February is a significant date
Waimaka helele'I ke alanui
Tears fall as I walk down the road
Paiki pu'olo pa'a I ka lima
Carrying a heavy burden in my hands
Waimaka helele'I I ke alanui!
Tears continue to fall as I walk down the road!
Penei pepe 'alala nei
This butterfly flutters about
He hu'I ma'e'ele kou nui kino
My body is filled with a great sadness
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
The story is told
He mele he inoa no Miloli'i
A song, a name for Miloli'i
Contributed by London F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ZachNeedham-mn7vm
La Elima o Pepeluali
Waimaka helele'i ke alanui
Penei pepe 'alala nei
He hu'i ma'e'ele kou nui kino
Paiki pu'olo pa'a i ka lima
Waimaka helele'i i ke alanui
Penei pepe 'alala nei
He hu'i ma'e'ele kou nui kino
Penei pepe 'alala nei
He hu'i ma'e'ele kou nui kino
Penei pepe 'alala nei
He hu'i ma'e'ele kou nui kino
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
He mele he inoa no Miloli'i
@cherrieowens1
He is talking about the about the tsumani that washed away the last Hawaiian fishing village. Many children were washed out to sea-it also talks about hearing their cries in the night. It is a sad song.
@Westernchauvinist
thank you
@Van_The_Man
Mahalo - my Hawaiian is limited. Now I understand.
@wbelle_author
I live near Miloliʻi. The village still exists as a fishing village, as does the church.
@iamthatiamism
I love you, Miloli’I, and feel so blessed to live here
@BUS_MUSIC
Hawaiian singers have this incredible talent that feels like magic. First, there was Israel, and now there's Iam Tongi! When they sing, it's like they cast a spell on you. I just love them both!
@charliebuck697
I fished with the folks in Milolii in the mid 80s. I was very lucky and blessed to know their friendship back then.Some of the best times of my life.....
@coriestern4931
Singing with Heavenly Angels now, our beloved Israel.
@buddysinko3087
Happy 61st. Rest in peace.
@howzitbrah8944
God bless you IZ.