HONOLULU (KHON2) — The International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii brought together music lovers statewide on Sunday, July 20, to unveil the newest inductee to the Ukulele Hall of Fame.
Officials announced that music icon Israel Kamakawiwoole was the newest member of the HOF.
“Bruddah Iz” passed away in 1997, but his music continued to live on and inspire people and musicians from all around the world.
According to the official Israel Kamakawiwoole website, his album “Facing Futures” remains the best-selling album of all time by a Hawaiian artist. The album hit platinum in 2005.
“For Hawaiian music, number one – the platinum album – it was the first time this was done for Hawaii. But more than just the platinum album, again it’s his spirit, his prayer for us for Hawaiian sovereignty…just was something he talked about and was an advocate for continually and Hawaii needs that,” said Paul Syphers, Ukulele Hall of Fame director.
The ceremony was held at Kapiolani Park during the second International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii.
“His spirit is here. It’s all around us,” said Marlene Kamakawiwoole, widow. “It’s exciting, but yet it’s overwhelming, because it’s real, but it’s not real physically. Spiritually, it is that you know what, I’m very grateful, very grateful. Very thankful to, you know, to my husband, to Hawaii, to the world.”
His medley of “Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world” is a tune that sets the tone for the Hawaiian Islands and continues to capture the spirit of aloha.
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“He speaks from his heart, he’ll say what he wants to say, his way, may you understand or not. That’s Isreal,” said Kamakawiwoole