ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE

A TRIBUTE TO HAWAII'S BIGGEST HEART
-- BRUDDAH IZ!!!

--E KO HAWAII NEI UWE--

--UA PAU UA HALA LA KOU A KO E NO NA PUA--

During the Merrie Monarch 1997 Bruddah Walta and I along with our families
were blessed to spend a few precious moments at the
Naniloa Hotel in Hilo with Bruddah IZ. We were joined
by his lovely and precious wife Marleen. As we
were invited into his room it was like being transported
into a special realm. This man so awesome in stature, so
profound in his spirituality, so full of love and aloha;
he simply glowed. He was relaxing, such a beautiful man,
typing on his computer, a cyber world which gave him
release-- equality-- freedom to swim like a dolphin without bounds,
he was HAPPY!!
It was the most excellent moment when Bruddah Walta when
say "WUZ UP IZ??", with a turn of his magnificent
head, a smile like no others, a bright ahiahi glow
in his eyes; he yelled "click here, HOWZIT???" That is Bruddah Iz,
this god among men, this talented gifted man, never forgot
his friends, never desired to!!! I was born here, came
home to the aina when I was 21 years old,
I met Iz's father and used to be the click here
soldier boy that showed up at the picnic table to
listen to music, drink a few primos, burn a bit of
da kine, and just smile. I may not be all
that integral in their lives, but they were integral in mine.
They taught me of the equality of ALOHA. In Makaha where
I was told by the military I would not be
welcomed I found the greatest gift I ever recieved,
THE BEAUTY OF THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE.
It was not just this young click here boy Iz
that was impressive, it was the whole being of that
time, that space. Well back to Hilo,lol, i digress!!
Still smoking dakine you know--
PAKALOLO WILL TICKLE YOUR FEET-- Iz said!!
Well Marleen dissappeared for ten minutes and returned with armfuls
of gifts for all of us, these gifts are so precious
to us now they are only worn on special occasions.
WELL, PELE GRANTED US THIS VERY SPECIAL GIFT!!!
FOREVER GRATEFUL WE WILL BE. MAHALO.

Iz owau ke haawi aku nei i keia ia'oe (Iz I give this to you)

PELES KAMALII
listen here!! a puni amoe hola (round about the midnight hour)
Me lani uwa'uwa me waimaka (the heavens cried out with tears)
With a heart as big as the sky
Brother IZ shines a'ia'i in the morning sun
Sitting down Makua
Ma ka ainai haawai ia nona (on tland given to him)
A puni amoe hola,with love all around
Iz left the lena of Kaena,
Heaven bound.

If there ever was a doubt in your heart
Iz's manao will sooth your pain.
Pele your kamali'i is by your side--
-- E KO HAWAII NEI UWE (and the people of Hawaii weep)
Open up, let the skies cry,
Big Island rain wash away the tears.
A puni amoe hola
Me lani uwa'uwa' waimaka--

Never be another Hawaiian likeIz,
but forevermore on the nalu and the aheahe moa'e (waves,tradewinds)
A voice so ahi ahi will flow (bright and fair)
And each time you see the Io soar, (hawk)
Close your eyes and listen carefully,
Floating through the mind,
You will be with Iz!

My friend you will never be forgotten,
Puukani uhane a hawaii nei (sweet voiced spirit of Hawaii)
The ocean where the Children play,
Manu kia'i, protect my friend
Guide him to his Ohanas arms. (shark and family(

A puni amoe hola
Me lani uwa'uwa' waimaka
pela no oia i malama aku ai ia lokou!!!
(THAT IS THE WAY HE TOOK CARE OF US!!)

This is my rememberance of the great IZ, I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.

THIS PAGE IS IN MEMORY OF IZ--
I HAVE RECIEVED SOME OF THE PICTURES AND ANIMATIONS
FROM FRIENDS ON THE NET. IF THEY ARE YOUR WORK
PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT webmaster@hulahips.com.
I WILL EITHER REMOVE AT YOUR REQUEST OR ADD YOUR
NAME TO THE SITE.
MAHALO!!

Email me at webmaster@hulahips.com
YA'LL COME BACK NOW-- KDEN!!.

Stop music with your browser's stop button...