IZ

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced [kaˌmakaˌvivoˈʔole]) was a Hawaiian musician.

He became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.

Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land, people and food of Hawaii. Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiʻian music over the last 15 years.[1]

Wiwoʻole means courage or courageous in the Hawaiʻian language. Ka maka means the eye, the center, the outlook, to see.

Throughout the later part of his life, Iz suffered from severe obesity and at one point carried 758 pounds (344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.[3]

The Hawaii State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo'ole)



~Lola~