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.
Mona Lisa
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so like that lady with the mystic smile
Is it only 'cause you're lonely, they have blamed you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
Do you smile to tempt the love, Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
Are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Do you smile to tempt the lover, Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
In this song, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole explores the enigmatic nature of the Mona Lisa portrait, created by Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance period. The first stanza addresses the beauty of the painting, as men have named the subject Mona Lisa, an Italian name meaning "my lady Lisa." The song goes on to describe how the subject's smile, referred to as a "mystic smile," has caused confusion and intrigue. The lyrics suggest that people have pointed to the strangeness of Mona Lisa's smile as a reason for her loneliness, or perhaps it is the other way around - people have made assumptions about the subject's personality based on the expression in her portrait.
The second stanza asks whether Mona Lisa is purposely smiling to tempt love or if it serves as a facade to hide a broken heart. The imagery of dreams being brought to her doorstep parallels how the painting has been visited by numerous admirers over the centuries. However, whether the subject of the portrait is warm and genuine or just a cold, lonely work of art remains unclear.
This song invites listeners to consider the complexity of human emotions and how they can be expressed, misunderstood, or misinterpreted by others. The Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile may never be fully decoded, but through this song, we are encouraged to contemplate the possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, men have named you
You have gained notoriety and recognition from society due to your stunning appearance and enigmatic expression.
You're so like that lady with the mystic smile
Your elusive beauty and secretive smile resemble that of the famous artwork, the Mona Lisa.
Is it only 'cause you're lonely, they have blamed you
Some people attribute your mysterious demeanor to feelings of isolation and desolation.
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
The enigma in your facial expression is often described as strange and uncommon, enhancing your allure and attractiveness.
Do you smile to tempt the love, Mona Lisa
Some wonder if your smile is a device to captivate and lure in admirers.
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Others hypothesize that your enigmatic smile is a facade, covering up a broken heart and emotional vulnerability.
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
So many have sought out your affections and beauty, attempting to woo you or simply bask in your presence.
They just lie there and they die there
However, most of these pursuits end in failure, with suitors ultimately giving up on their hopes of a relationship.
Are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa
Those who cannot understand your enigma often question the authenticity and genuineness of your character.
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Some dismiss you as nothing more than a beautiful painting, devoid of real emotions and feelings.
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wencka.M.W
0:36 the guy who spoke startled me 😂
I thought he stands right beside me...😂
Love the song!
I love his voice ❤️
And I'm sad he's Dead...
He was a present and he still is!
I'll never forget you ❤️
Elle Gmye
This song is the sound of my childhood and holds a very dear place in my heart.
Obakeeee
Same!!!!💚💙💜
Dipesh M.
Even his breath sounds like a lullaby, such raw talent omg RIP Israel I'll meet you above the rainbow!
Brian DeLaurentiis
A Big Man with a Big Heart, how I love IZ's music, each track unique in it's own special way, R.I.P. Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole.
Christopher R. Bessin
<3
Chaditz
Indeed
Arla Good
He brings peace to all that hear him ❤️
Camilla Maia
I love his voice so much. And its just so much like my dad used to sound too. Rip they both
Obakeeee
I love you all you are loved who ever us reading!!! Remember who is family/Ohana, where u came from, remember who you are, and lastly remember what you are here to do. He is and always will be one of the many natives representing 'Ohana and so many good things in the universe thank you IZ for sharing your amazing music to change lives I wish to do the same (in progress)! I bought a ukulele because of you IZ! I named it honu I was younger.(uhm don't ask why I named my ukulele a turtle in Hawaiian haha 🙈 ) but I actually just bought the Taropatch 8 strung ukulele for that more old school Hawaiian sound strum originating in the early 1900 from the islands them self!!! Just saying timeless stuff right here ** bless up!
Bruce Hazzard
I came across IZE about a week ago and it really touched me. My wife died in 98 and the dream of walking on the beach we weren’t in Hawaii we were in Maryland but this is some of the nice beautiful music. I’ve heard in a long time, God rest, her soul
I Z