IZ Again

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole made great music and big news while alive. Today, 10 years after his death, he continues to hold a central spot in the hearts and minds of Hawaiian music lovers throughout the world. Seems like everybody's got an opinion about the latest Mountain Apple Company release, "IZ Wonderful World." Some absolutely love it, amazed by the ability to highlight his timeless voice with full orchestration, others think less is more and prefer the original IZ, barefoot with 'ukulele in hand.
The other day I ran into one of my classmates, Braddah Boy (we graduated together, Kailua '80). He's actually my cousin-my Aunty Nani's husband's stepmother's hanai son. He had just purchased the CD at Longs and had a lot to say.
"Iz new CD, ho man… not so 'ono. No need all of dat strings and stuffs. Yah it's not bad, but not good, in fack, no need alla dat uddah stuffs," said Braddah Boy. "Iz is IZ and its kainah cool but sound just like one movie, if das whatchu like. Yah das shright. Sound like one big Palace Teadah kine movie soundtrack wit one chick running tru da flowas wit one dress blowing in the wind and den on da uddah side one guy stay running for her so he can make out in da middle, you know what I mean? Just like dat."
I pointed out that IZ's music and voice are known throughout the world. In fact, just the other day, my sister-in-law Tammy called from Florida asking about a "big Hawaiian guy who was singing on some TV commercial." I knew immediately she was talking about IZ. Frankly, that would have never happened without adapting it to a larger audience. But Braddah Boy didn't want to hear any of that.
"'Henehene,' frick just like dey when ruin one classic," he said. "Waddah bout "Kaleohano"? Ho man, dat was my wife's favorite and now I no can even… I no can! Sista, at da end of da day, I hate fo tell you dis but, when I jus like chill, I not going listen to dis. All I need and all I want is Braddah Iz wit hiz uke and hiz sweet voice. Das nuff foa me. Henehene kou 'aka… sheehaw!"
A big smile came over his face as he sang the opening lines of the kolohe classic hula tune.
"Eh, Jus like my poi, no need put any kine stuffs in my poi. I hate when I see people put lomi salmon in da poi. Or when dummies try mix kalua pig wit dere poi. Whassup wit dat? Back off from my poi. No try put friken anyting. How come dere gramma neva tell dem no put anyting, nutting in the poi? Jus leave um like dat.
"How can you make sumting dats awready perfect bettah? Why boddah? Why hah? Just like dey stay putting one tuxedo on IZ and trying foa fit his feet in one shiny kine shoes. OK, if he wen need um OK, but to tell you da trute, da hones trute, he neva. Brah, we all know he was fricken awesome, as is… yah das shright, awesome as IZ."
I knew exactly where he was coming from and in many ways I agreed.
"Oh yeah, one moa ting… I wen hea dat his produsah de Mello said dey going take IZ "on tour next year with world orchestras." Hah? Wassup wit dat? I foa one no can even imagine IZ wit fricken any kine all ova da world kine orchestras. Brah… try listen… NO NEED. I dunno anymoa, maybe its jus me but… auwe, das all I get fo say. Yeah, das all I get. "
He appeared truly disheartened and his demeanor seemed to signal an even deeper disappointment as if he understood it as a sign of things to come.
"Hey, it's only music… and by the way, you look great. Please say hello to your wife" as I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.
"Take care Braddah, aloha a hui hou." n
Reach Desiree at islandbeat@hawaiiislandjournal.com
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