Israel the singer biography

Born in Honolulu, Hawai'i on May 20th 1959, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is perhaps one of the greatest musicians to have come from the island and arguably holds his place in the international hall of world music influential fame.

Israel the singer biography

Although neither his father, Henry Kalei'aloha Naniw nor his mother, Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo'ole were professional musicians, Israel was exposed to the depth and soul of Hawaiian music from a very young age.

He would spend a lot of time at the Waikiki bar where his parents worked, a place well known for performances from Hawaii's great musicians.
His uncle too had a great influence on him and, as a professional musician himself, played a big part in the encouragement that led to Israel first picking up an instrument at age 6.

Early Musical Influence

After years of listening to both his mother and his brother, in addition to his uncle, playing the ukulele, Israel first took to the stage in 1970 to perform with