IZ: ThE Man aNd HiS mUsiC
1998, Mtn.Apple Co.

"Assembled from Israel Kamakawiwo`ole's concert tours
Digitally recorded between 1993-1997
The United States to Miloli`i"


IZ at 37 ~ Autobiography ~ 6-26-98 ~ 38 ~ IZ's Life
IZ's Best ~ `Ohana ~ Aloha `Oe ~ Remembering IZ

IZ will never be a WuZ in our lives. Our memories of this kind and gentle soul are kept fresh and alive by singing his songs along with him. Perhaps, you too would like to do the same?

These lyrics were compiled as a commemoration of the first anniversary of IZ's release "from the surly bonds of Earth." They are presented here for your personal and educational use. May they enhance your learning and appreciation of Hawaiian words and language, a beloved Hawaiian man with a heart brimming with Aloha, and his most recent CD release, IZ: thE Man aNd HiS mUsic.

Please respect the copyrights of Israel and his `ohana (family). Limited by the knowledge of mere students of the Hawaiian language, we apologize in advance for its deficiencies. E-mail us with additions /corrections /comments; we welcome them.

 

 Index

Ahi Wela

This Hawaiian Man

`Ôpae Ê

E Ku`u Morning Dew

E Ala E

n Dis Life

Kamalani

Henehene Kou `Aka

Maui, Hawaiian Suppa Man

Kaleohano

Lover of Mine

Hawai`i `78

Margarita

White Sandy Beach

Hawai`i Aloha

IZ's Discography

IZ's Message,
Hôkû Awards, `96
(to come)

Brahdahs
BU & IZ

IZ's `Ukulele Tuning
(scroll down)

IZ's Comp`Ohana's Vigil

IZ's Comp`Ohana and Friends Remember

 

 

1

Ahi Wela
Fire of Love
by Lizzie Doirin & Mary Beckley

Hui: / Chorus:

Ahi wela mai nei loko
Fire (is) hot hither here inside
I ka hana a ke aloha
In the act of love
E lalawe nei ku'u kino
Overwhelms here my body
Konikoni lua i ka pu'uwai
Throbbing doubly much in the heart

Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky

`Imo `imo hôkû iki
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Ha`oha`o au iâ `oe

How I wonder what you are
I luna loa o ke ao
Up above the world so high
Kohu kaimana i ka lani

Like a diamond in the sky

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

Mahalo to Kaiulani Kanoa Martin of Huapala: Hawaiian Music & Hula Archives.
Back to the Index 

 2

E Ku`u Morning Dew
by Eddie Kamae & Larry Kimura

E ku'u morning dew, alia mai, alia mai
My morning dew, wait, wait
Maliu mai 'oe i ka'u a hea nei
Heed hither me, to my calling here
E kali mai 'oe, ia'u nei ia'u nei
Wait for me, to me here, to me here
'O wau iho nô me ke aloha.
I am/remain deeply indeed with love

 

Wehe mai ke alaula 'oli liko me lîhau
Open the joyful, budding light of the early dawn with gentle cool rain
E ho'ohehelo ana i nei a pâpâlina,
Become proud of your appearance here and (?) cheeks
I uka o Mana i ka 'iu uhiwai
To the uplands of Mana to the heavily misted sacred place
Ma laila no kâua e pili mau ai
There for you and me to join together
Ma laila no kâua e pili mau ai.
There for you and me to join together.

(E hana hou i ka paukû mua)
(Repeat the first verse).

Mahalo to Craig Thompson, nicknamed "Brahdah BU" by IZ.
Visit
Brahdah BU's `Ukulele Heaven for pictures of Brahdahs IZ and BU.
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3

Kamalani
by Larry Rivera


Where is my love, Kamalani*?
*Kamalani = child of a chief/ A pampered child
Figuratively, finicky, fussy

Please answer me, Kamalani
Pûkani Nui, Pûkani Nui.
Pûkani Nui = Literally, "large sounding horn";
Figuratively, large fine soft sleeping mats made of fine white leaves in the center of a cluster of pandanus leaves.


Oh here I am, Kamalani,
Here in this paradise
Kamalani, Kamalani
Is this the fullness of heaven,
Here in this paradise?

Please come to me, Kamalani
Where nights are still, Kamalani
You can hear the voice of Pûkani Nui
He beckons you, Kamalani
You'll be together again.


Kamalani, Kamalani
You'll hear the sound of his voice
Here in this paradise.

Please come to me, Kamalani
Where nights are still, Kamalani
You can hear the voice of Pûkani Nui
Oh, here I am, Kamalani,
We'll be together again


Kamalani, Kamalani
You'll hear the sound of his voice
Here in this paradise
Kamalani, Kamalani
You'll hear the sound of his voice
Here in this paradise...paradise.

Mahalo to Kelz of Uke Muzik & Ryan Nomura of Wink's IZ Page.
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4

Kaleohano
by Louis Moon Kauakahi


Kaleohano, `o Kaleohano kou inoa
Kaleohano (a name meaning:The Voice (of) Authority and Respect),
Kaleohano (is) your name

Ku'u home, ku'u home, ku'u home `o Keaukaha*
My (in a form expressing affection) home, my home, my home, Keaukaha
Kaulana `o Keaukaha
Famous (is) Keaukaha

(E hana hou i ka paukû mua loa )
(Repeat first verse)

Kaleohano, `o Kaleohano kou inoa
Kaleohano, Kaleohano (is) your name
Ku'u 'âina, ku'u kulâiwi, a huli i ke kai
My land, my native land, and dashing and receding (is) the sea
Kaulana `o Keaukaha.
Famous (is) Keaukaha.


Aloha au iâ Mauna Kea, i ke anu o ke ahiahi
Love I Mauna Kea (meaning, White Mountain, referring to mountain on the island of Hawai`i), in the cold of the evening.
Ho'olono, ho'olono, ho'olono i ka leo ka makani
Listen, listen, listen to the voice of the wind
Keaukaha nô e ka wahi.
Keaukaha indeed, the place.

 

(E hana hou i ka paukû hope)
(Repeat last verse)

 *Keaukaha = the passing current, referring to Hawaiian homestead land in Hilo, Hawai`i; in fast speech the "au" sound in Keaukaha is pronounced as an "ou" sound.

Mahalo to Kelz (& Jon Wong) of Uke Muzik & Ryan Nomura of Wink's Iz Page.
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5

Margarita


On a hilltop in Tahiti as I gaze across the bay
At the island of Moorea, standing in the day
Oh my lovely Margarita serving cool Hînano beer
I'll be a fool in paradise, I'm a fool out here.

 Hui: / Chorus:
Ia orana*, can you stand the heat?
*Ia orana = Tahitian greeting, like "Aloha"
Ia orana, bouncing in bare feet
Ia orana, when you laugh at me
Ia orana, say I....I'm in ecstasy.


Oh, your name is Margarita, the salt upon your lips
The lemon and tequila, the flavor of your kiss
All the magic and the beauty, the humor of these isles
Captured like a goldfish, the sparkle of your smile.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)


Oh the crimson dress you're wearing,
with nothing underneath
Flower there behind your ear,
and all your rotten teeth
Margarita, Margarita, please dance with me tonight
We would dance together, where stars shine so bright

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)


Margarita, Margarita, I come from far away
Let's go take a swim down in Matawai Bay
Margarita, Margarita, please touch my hinalea*
*hinalea = a slippery wrasse fish
We go in the dark and we don't need a spear.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

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6

"This Hawaiian Man" Intro

"This is a Hawaiian man with a heart ten times bigger than his body. This Hawaiian man has the largest ideals in the world. This Hawaiian man wants to involve everyone and give forever. This Hawaiian man seems like the light in the sky. This Hawaiian man stands as tall as the mountains. This Hawaiian man lifts minds to no end. This Hawaiian man frees souls into believing. This Hawaiian man finds loves in us all. This Hawaiian man needs us to hear his message. This Hawaiian man lives for peace and beauty. This Hawaiian man breaks barriers between people. This Hawaiian man dreams of a great future for Hawai`i.

This Hawaiian man is Israel Kamakawiwo`ole.

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7

E Ala E


E Ala E, E Ala E
Arise, Arise
We, the voices behind the face,
Of the Hawaiian nation, the Hawaiian race
Rise for justice the day has come
For all our people to stand as one,

(Hana hou i ka paukû mua loa)
(Repeat the first verse)

Hui: / Chorus:
E Ala E, `eâ, `eâ, `eâ, `eâ,
E Ala E, `eâ, `eâ, `eâ,
Arise, (something like the English tra-la-la, to maintain rhythm and affords pleasure in repetition), Arise.
E huli i ka ho'i i ka pâkini alamihi
Reverse the return of the tin pan (of) black crabs.
Gone are the days of the alamihi* ways
*reference to "crabs in the bucket" ways
E kiko i ka piko o ka mana o ka po'e
Mark the summit of the spiritual force of the people
The power of the people is the piko*
*piko = navel, umbilical cord; summit, top of the mountain
`O ka piko ke aloha o ka 'âina, o ka 'âina
The piko is the love of the land, of the land


We the warriors born to live
On what the land and sea can give
Defend our birthright to be free
Give our children liberty,

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

(E hana hou i ka paukû `elua)
(Repeat verse 2).


E Ala E, `eâ, `eâ, `eâ , E Ala E (repeated several times...)

Mahalo to Kelz of Uke Muzik & Ryan Nomura of Wink's IZ Page.
Back to the Index 

8

Henehene Kou 'Aka
Merry Your Laughter
(A Traditional Song)

Henehene kou `aka, kou le`ale`a paha
Merry your laughter, your gaiety perhaps
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I
A usual thing this, for you and I
Henehene kou `aka, kou le`ale`a paha
Merry your laughter, your gaiety perhaps
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I.
A usual thing this, for you and I.


Ka`a uila mâkâneki, `oni`oni kou kino
Car electro-magnetic (streetcar), jiggles your body
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I
A usual thing this, for you and I
Ka`a uila mâkâneki, `oni`oni kou kino
Car electro-magnetic (streetcar), jiggles your body
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I.
A usual thing this, for you and I.

I Kaka`ako mâkou, `ai ana pipi stew
We were at Kaka'ako, eating beef stew
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I
A usual thing this, for you and I
I Kapahulu mâkou, `ai ana lîpoa
At Kapahulu we (are), eating brown seaweed
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I
A usual thing this, for you and I
I Waikîkî mâkou, `au ana i ke kai
At Waikîkî we (are), swimming in the sea
He mea ma`amau ia, we put inside.
A usual thing this, we put inside.


Our eyes have met, our lips are wet
Mâlama pono kou kino, ah, when we put inside
Take care well your body, ah, when we put inside
Ha`ina mai ka puana, kou le`ale`a paha
Tell the summary refrain, your gaiety perhaps.
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I.
A usual thing this, for you and I.


Ha`ina mai ka puana, kou le`ale`a paha
Tell the summary refrain, your gaiety perhaps.
He mea ma`amau ia, for you and I,
for you and I, for you and I...
A usual thing this, for you and I, for you and I, for you and I...

Mahalo to Kelz of Uke Muzik & Ryan Nomura of Wink's Iz Page.
Back to the Index 

9

Lover of Mine
by Gaylord Holomalia & Malani Bilyeu


Lover of mine, over the sea
Deep blue ocean, waves in motion
Where have you gone?
I look to the sea
Someday, you'll come home to me.

Lover of mine, over the sea
Welcome summer, sunny weather
Where have you gone?
I look to the sea
Someday, you'll come home to me.

(Bridge*)
People say I'm the dreamer
But I'm not the only one
Someday, you will join us
And the world will be as one.

Lover of mine, where can you be?
Welcome summer, sunny weather
Where have you gone?
I look to the sea.
Someday, you'll come home to me.

Someday, you'll come home to me.

 

Mahalo to haku mele (composer), Gaylord Holomalia, who credits the bridge lyrics to John Lennon, from the song, Imagine, and shared with us that these bridge lyrics were not sung on its original recording on the CD, In Dis Life. "IZ just liked adding them to the live shows."

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10

White Sandy Beach
by Willie Dan


I saw you in my dreams
We were walking hand in hand
On a white sandy beach of Hawai`i
We were playing in the sun
We were having so much fun
On a white sandy beach of Hawai`i

Sound of the ocean soothes my restless soul
Sound of the ocean rocks me all night long.

Those hot long summer days
Lying there in the sun
On a white sandy beach of Hawai`i
Sound of the ocean soothes my restless soul
Sound of the ocean rocks me all night long.

Last night in my dream
I saw your face again
We were there in the sun
On a white sandy beach of Hawai`i
On a white sandy beach of Hawai`i.

  Back to the Index 

11

`Ôpae Ê
Shrimp
(A Traditional Song)


`Ôpae ê, `Ôpae ho`i
Shrimp, Shrimp return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine*
For Sister.

Hui: / Chorus:
Aia wai, aia puhi
There's water, there's eel
Nui `o Puhi a li`i li`i au
Big (is) Eel and little (is) me.
A`ole loa.
Absolutely not.


Pûpû ê, Pûpû ho`i
Shellfish, Shellfish return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)


Kûpe`e ê, Kûpe`e ho'i
Sea snail, Sea snail return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.

 
'Opihi ê, 'Opihi ho'i
Limpet, Limpet return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.


Mai maka'u, na'u e pani
(I'm) Not afraid, for me to block/cover
I ka maka a `ike `ole
the eyes ( of the puhi so he) cannot see
Kêlâ puhi
That eel.

*kuahine = sister of a brother, pronunciation of "k"
can vary from a k-sound to a t-sound.

Mahalo to Ryan Nomura of Wink's Iz Page.
Back to the Index 

12

n Dis Life
by Mike Reid and Allen Shamlin


For all I've been blessed with in my life
There was an emptiness in me
I was imprisoned by the power of gold
With one kind touch you've set me free

 Chorus:
Let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love's not worth going through
If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life, I was loved by you.


For every mountain I have climbed
Every raging river crossed
You were the treasure that I longed to find
Without your love I would be lost.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

I know that I won't live forever
But forever I'll be loving you.

(Guitar Solo)

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

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13

Maui, Hawaiian Suppa Man
By Del Beazley

Told is the tale of the mischievous one
Who fished out all the islands and captured the sun
His deeds and tasks I will unmask,
so that you'll understand
That before there was a Clark Kent,
there was a Hawaiian Suppa Man

He fished out the Islands with a magic hook,
There would've been more but somebody looked.
In blue morning sky, the sun he entwined
To slow down his flight, so kapa could dry

Hui: / Chorus:

Mischievous, marvelous, magical Maui,
hero of this land
The one, the only, the ultimate Hawaiian Suppa Man
Oh Maui, Maui, Maui, Hawaiian Suppa Man
Oh Maui, Maui, Maui, Hawaiian Suppa Man

The secret of fire was locked somewhere in time
So when the ahi* died in the hale kuke**, no way to re-ignite
*ahi = fire **hale kuke = house cook (kitchen)
So off he goes in search of those who hold the information
So that fire could be used by all the future generations

He found out the `Alae* held the fire connection
*`Alae = Mudhen, a black wading bird
But his plan of deception fell short of perfection
With no other choice he had to get mean
So he squeezed `Alae's throat until she screamed the secret.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)

Mahalo â nui to Del "Da Beaz" Beazley who e-mailed me with corrections:
" Even Iz wen crash da words. Minah…
Mahalo for your support I really appreciate it a lot. Reading iz cool."

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14

Hawai`i `78

Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i
Being perpetuated (is) the sovereignty of the land to righteousness/ to balance, Hawai`i
Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i


If just for a day our king and queen
Would visit all these islands and saw everything
How would they feel about the changes of our land
Could you just imagine if they were around
And saw highways on their sacred grounds
How would they feel about this modern city life?


Tears would come from each other's eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our people are in great, great danger now
How would they feel?
Would their smiles be content, then cry

Chorus:
Cry for the gods, cry for the people
Cry for the land that was taken away
And then yet you'll find, Hawai'i.


Could you just imagine they came back
And saw traffic lights and railroad tracks
How would they feel about this modern city life
Tears would come from each other's eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our land is in great, great danger now.


All the fighting that the King has done
To conquer all these islands, now these condominiums
How would he feel if he saw Hawai'i nei?
How would he feel? Would his smile be content, then cry?

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)


Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i
Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i.

Mahalo to Kelz of Uke Muzik & Ryan of Wink's IZ Page.
Back to the Index 

15

Hawai`i Aloha
by The Rev. Lorenzo Lyons

Ê Hawai`i, ê ku`u one hânau ê,
O Hawai`i, o my sands-birth,
Ku`u home kulâiwi nei.
My home, native homeland here.
`Oli nô au i nâ pono lani ê.
Rejoicing indeed I (am) in the heavenly goodnesses.
Ê Hawai`i, aloha ê!
O Hawai'i , greetings of love!

Hui: Chorus
E hau`oli e nâ `ôpio (o) Hawai`i nei.
Be happy o the youths of Hawai`i here.
`Oli ê! `Oli ê!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Mai nâ aheahe makani e pâ mai nei,
From the gentle winds blowing here,
Mau ke aloha no Hawai`i.
Always the love for Hawai`i.

Mau ke aloha, aloha ê!
Always the love, aloha ê!

Back to the Index

IZ's Comp`Ohana & Friends Remember:

Auntie Maria
Aunty Kat
Brahdah BU
Dingo
Dizzy Deane
John
Tamster
Uncle Charlie
Tita Robin
Paka Boy
Ryan
Ed
Kalena
MaryMc
Honu
Sun Jose
IRH (scroll down for IZ interview clips): - IZ Chat - QTVR
Wai`anae High School with Maui Medley

Add Your Thoughts:
Mixed-Plate's IZ Book
Israel Kamakawiwo`ole Bulletin Board
IRH: Brahdah IZ Fan Club

UPDATES:
1997: Billboard's Top Ten World Music Albums
1998: Responses to an article of ignorance and insensitivity
1998: IZ in "Meet Joe Black"
1998: Male Vocalist of the Year

 

E ola mau ana `oe, e Ka`ano`i.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

You can obtain IZ's CD at: IZ's Music Catalog
http://www.mele.com

This Hawaiian Language web site is a not-for-profit site, and no compensation is given for posting the above CD source. The URL is provided as a service to those who do not have easy access to this CD. We have personally used this reliable on-line CD ordering service many times with great satisfaction and appreciation.

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