A Hawaiian Giant: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and "Men Who Ride Mountains"

Today's song is by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, also known as IZ. Kamakawiwo'ole, who died in 1997, was a Hawaiian singer, songwriter and sovereignty activist. He is best known in the rest of the United States for his soulful reinterpretation of Somewhere Over the Rainbow but his influence on Hawaiian music through his ukelele skill, combined with his ability to combine traditional Hawaiian music with jazz and reggae, remains strong to this day. He started his career playing with his brother, Skippy, and others in a group called Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. This group recorded fifteen albums that featured a blending of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music and was a key component of the Hawaiian Renaissance of 1970s and 80s. Skippy died in 1982 of a heart attack related to obesity, and Kamakawiwo'ole suffered the same affliction. At one point he weighed 767 pounds. However, he started releasing solo albums in 1990, winning awards for Hawaiian music. His music was also notable for its political themes, often calling for Hawaiian independence. He released four solo albums before his death at age 38 of complications related to obesity. Hawaiian flags flew at half staff upon his death and his coffin lay in state in the Hawaiian capitol - he was only third person accorded this honor and the first non-politician. This song, Men Who Ride Mountains, can be found on his debut solo album Ka ʻAnoʻi (1990), The title refers to surfing.