back in the 1970’s and 80’s, there use to be a restaurant called the “Ranch House” in Aina Hina. when i was like 13 years old, my Mom and Sister use to go every Wednesdays to this restaurant and listen to live music. sometimes i would go along with them and we would sit on the table directly in front of the band that played every Wednesday night. that band was called “The Makaha Sons of Niihau.”
that young man on the right is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or Bruddah IZ. i remember him strumming his ukulele and singing his heart out. i was literally sitting on a table 6′ away from him. my Mom and Sister became friends with them so most of the songs they played were etched into my mind for the rest of my life. and whenever i went to see Bruddah IZ in concert after that, i would get the chills listening to his voice. it’s so powerful.
after winning award after award, Bruddah IZ was recognized world wide with his songs “somewhere over the rainbow” and “white sandy beach of hawaii.” this video was a song they sang at the 1996 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. it’s called Kaleohano which is my favorite song of my life. when i hear it playing, i get chicken skin and teary eyes. please listen to his heart through his voice. it’s amazing…
