Israel Kaographymakawiwo’ole was born on May 20 th, 1959 on Oahu island. He was a popular Hawaiian singer.
He started playing music with his older brother Skippy when he was just 11 years old.
When he was a teenager, his family moved to Makaha. There he met Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, Sam Gray and Jerome Koko, who formed “Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau” together with his brother Skippy. Little by little from 1976 and throughout the 80s, the group started becoming popular in Hawaii and the rest of United States.
In 1982 he got married with Marlene and they had a daughter whose name is Ceslieanne.
In 1990, Iz became a soloist and he won several awards in Hawaii.
His album “Alone in Iz world” includes his most popular song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”.
“Facing Future”, launched in 1993, was considered his best piece of work.
Throughout his career, Iz was characterized by promoting the values and the culture of Hawaii as well as its independence through his songs.
During most of his adult life, Iz was an obese man. In the last years of his life he had to use oxygen. He was frequently in hospital.
He died because of some breathing problems caused by his weight on 26th June, 1997 at the age of 38.
He started playing music with his older brother Skippy when he was just 11 years old.
When he was a teenager, his family moved to Makaha. There he met Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, Sam Gray and Jerome Koko, who formed “Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau” together with his brother Skippy. Little by little from 1976 and throughout the 80s, the group started becoming popular in Hawaii and the rest of United States.
In 1982 he got married with Marlene and they had a daughter whose name is Ceslieanne.
In 1990, Iz became a soloist and he won several awards in Hawaii.
His album “Alone in Iz world” includes his most popular song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”.
“Facing Future”, launched in 1993, was considered his best piece of work.
Throughout his career, Iz was characterized by promoting the values and the culture of Hawaii as well as its independence through his songs.
During most of his adult life, Iz was an obese man. In the last years of his life he had to use oxygen. He was frequently in hospital.
He died because of some breathing problems caused by his weight on 26th June, 1997 at the age of 38.
Edited by 4º C
