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ISRAEL ‘IZ’ KAMAKAWIWO’OLE The Mountain Apple Company announced that National Public Radio and its “50 Great Voices” series has selected Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole as one of 50 great voices in recorded history
Israel ‘IZ’ Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole (May 20th, 1959 – June 26th, 1997) was a Hawaiian musician. He became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of ‘Over the rainbow’ and ‘What a Wonderful World’ was featured in several films, television programmes and commercials. Through his ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres (such as jazz and reggae), Kamakawiwo’ole remains one of the major influences in Hawaiian music. Kamakawiwo’ole was born at kuakini Hospital. He was raised in the community of Kaimuki, where his parents had met and married. He began playing music at the age of 11, being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time. In his early teens, he studied at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and his family moved to Makaha.Together with his brother Skippy, they formed the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau. From 1976 throughout the 1980s, the Hawaiian contemporary band gained in popularity as they toured Hawaii and the continental United States and released fifteen successful albums. Kamakawiwo’ole was known for promoting Hawaiian rights and Hawaiian independence, both through his lyrics and his life. Throughout his life, kawakawiwo’ole was obese and at one point carried 757 pounds on his 6-foot-2-inch frame. He endured several hospitalizations because of problems caused by his weight, and died in Queen’s Medical Center on June 26th, 1997. The Hawaiian State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10th, the day of Kamakawiwo’ole’s funeral. His koa wood coffin Lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. He was the third IES SANCHEZ LASTRA MIERES - ASTURIAS