Influential Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole receives a cartoon tribute from Google Doodle on his 61st birthday, May 20.
Bruddah Iz is featured on an animated video where he performed his memorable version of "Over the Rainbow," with his signature ukelele and floral shirt. Transitioned by colorful Hawaiian artworks, the sequence showed Iz playing on the beach, at home with children, and finally among the stars.
In a Google Doodle archive, the accompanying article noted that the artwork tribute was in honor of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated for the whole month of May.
Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole, better known as IZ or Bruddah Iz, was born on May 20, 1959, in a Honolulu suburb to a family of music-loving native Hawaiians. The Google Doodle Archive writeup also shared an anecdote of Iz usually being found with a "ukelele against his chest."
Another influential Hawaiian musician, Moe Keale, was both an uncle and a leading musical influence to the growing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
In his teenage years, Iz went to the Upward Bound of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where he met Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome Koko. Together with his brother Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole, they formed the five-person group "The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau." Israel left the group in 1993, who changed its name to "The Makaha Sons."
In 1988, Iz solemnly stayed in a studio in Honolulu, ukelele in hand, and performed a heartfelt rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" in a single take. The 1939 original ballad would find new international fame with Kamakawiwo'ole's version.
Google also expressed gratitude to the Kamakawiwo'ole family for their participation in the tribute. They have also included the family's statement about Bruddah Iz's legacy. "The Kamakawiwo'ole 'Ohana (family) remains overwhelmed by the worldwide reach of Israel's music and the reaction of everyone who hears his voice, a voice that instantly touches your heart," the statement opened.
The family also recounted the life and times of the musician, hailed as among the Hawaiian artists who introduced elements of their traditional music to the world. Aside from his stay with The Makaha Sons, he launched a solo career and released three more solo albums from 1993 up to his death in 1997 at 38 years old.
His 1993 album, "Facing Future," is still the best-selling Hawaiian album to date. It was a fusion of traditional Hawaiian "hapa haole" songs with a mix of island reggae elements. Its success was largely boosted by its single "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/ What A Wonderful World," which was a medley of two already popular songs. The song has been used in several movies, including "50 First Dates," "Son of the Mask," and TV shows "Glee" and "Scrubs."
The Kamakawiwo'ole Ohana (family) ended their statement with the Hawaiian state motto: "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" or "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The state motto, which was first proclaimed by historic leader Kamehameha III in 1843, was a recurring content in most of Iz's songs, most notably in his 1993 single "Hawai'i '78." Israel's prominent use of the state motto was most seen as the artist's strong support of Hawaiian rights and independence, of which he was a known promoter.
Watch the entire Google Doodle tribute below:
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