Israel Kamakavivo'ole is considered a great Hawaiian musician. Its distinctive feature was the performance of songs to the accompaniment of a ukulele - a small plucked guitar. This instrument is national in Hawaii, which is probably why the musician chose it since childhood. He was also distinguished by the unique manner of performing musical works and expressive appearance - the musician weighed more than 300 kg and at the same time sang in a very melodic and gentle voice. He was popularly nicknamed "The Gentle Giant".
Israel Kamakavivo'ole began his childhood to play music on a small four-string ukulele. His group was called The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. He toured with her and released five albums.
Israel Kamakavivo'ole released his first LP in 1990. She received quite high marks from critics and first awards. With the release of his second album Facing Future, he gained well-deserved fame far beyond the borders of his homeland. This album went platinum and the first platinum album in Hawaii history. Almost 2.5 million copies were sold in America alone. Potpourri from "Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World" has been featured in several films and TV series. These and other songs have received awards and prizes.
But is the musician famous only for this? The number of his fans is growing even after his death, not only due to the fact that his direction has become a generally recognized musical trend in Hawaii, but also due to his social activity. Israel Kamakavivo'ole promoted and defended the rights of Hawaiians as a free nation. Sincere love for his people made him a true national hero. He expressed his attitude in songs - and that was enough for many around him to feel the taste of freedom and feel pride in themselves and their nation. How did he do it?
Apparently, he became the bearer of the national idea, which made all people around him feel that they were involved in the freedom that Israel himself personified. And he generously shared this feeling with everyone, without engaging in political battles and without creating any parties or movements. He just spread what made the people around him a little different: happier and more united.
In the last years of his life, Israel Kamakavivo'ole suffered greatly from obesity (his maximum weight was 344 kg with a height of 190 cm). He had a hard time hospitalization and died from diseases of the respiratory system associated with overweight on June 26, 1997, at the age of only 38 years. The day of Iz's funeral (as his friends and fans affectionately called him) became national mourning. On this day, the state flag of Hawaii was lowered by half. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be so honored.
More than 10,000 people attended Iz's funeral. They gathered on July 12, 1997 at Makua Beach to see the great musician on his last journey and scatter his ashes over the Pacific Ocean.
Death did not stop his music. The popularity of Iz's music began to grow after his departure. The song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" took on a life of its own. After the musician's death, she was licensed for many television shows and films.
Popularization of Hawaiian music around the world can be considered precisely his merit. It was he who gave the Hawaiian people the right to vote and even gave more - the belief in freedom.
