Customer Reviews

IZ: Voice of the People (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was looking for chicken skin whilst reading an emotional biography of the wonderful singer, Israel Kamakawiwo`ole. Not much emotion in this book, though. No meat to it -- I read it in less than an hour. It is billed by Bess Press as a story of how he overcame great odds to become kaulana and hanohano. There is no story -- or at least not one that we didn't already know about. Jumps right from being born to briefly mentioning some disturbances when youthful, to being this famous, wonderfully-beloved musician and singer. The foreword by Iz's widow, Marlene, is only 7 lines of type about 6" long. Not too much of a personal involvement on part of the widow, I would say. Well, needless to say, I was quite disappointed. First of all, this is not a biography by any stretch of the imagination. It may give a few facts about Iz's life, but there is no meat to this at all. Mostly it is just factoids interspersed with pictures. The book would be even more sparse if it weren't for reprints of various Hawaiian newspaper articles. Yes, there are some never before published family pictures, but the majority are blown up, full-page pictures of album/CD covers, plus the back side of them that tells you what songs. Moreover, some of the same pictures are reprinted several times throughout the book. It does not seem to be literature at all. There were just a few lines about his parents, not too much more about Skippy, next to nothing about his sisters. Nothing about his happy summer days on Ni'ihau. Nothing about who taught him to play `ukulele. Moreover, I feel ripped off because there was no feeling of Iz or aloha at all in this book. Frankly, devoid of emotion. I rated it with two stars only because the world is still hungry for just about anything on the topic of Iz. If you are wanting to read a biography type book about Hawaiian musicians, I strongly urge you to read Eddie Kamae's book, "Hawaiian Son". More better info, more feeling of aloha and plenty of chicken skin moments. Mr. Carroll, you have disappointed me. The only reason to buy this book is in the hope that the Kamakawiwo`ole `ohana will somehow benefit financially.

Have you ever attended a concert in which you expected to pay the admission, sit back, relax and enjoy some great music only to discover that the musician hadn't planned on singing, but went on a political tirade instead? Well, in essence, that is what I experienced in reading this book. Rick Carroll has seized the opportunity to use the fame of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in an effort to couch his political views in this book. Mr. Carroll is being hypocritical when he attacks the financially wealthy, and the American government for unjustly taking from the Hawaiians their sovereignty and culture when in the same breath he is guilty of the very same exploitation. He takes liberties with the facts in order to impose his underlying agenda. Rick Carroll is parading as an advocate for Hawaiian sovereignty when in fact he seeks to benefit politically, financially, and professionally by using Israel's popularity and influence.

After reading through this book, I felt a profound sense of disappointment and resentment. As Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole expressed in the Forward of the book, this story was not intended to be written as a biography of her beloved husband, but rather, this book was meant to give the reader a glimpse into the life of a legend that he/she may not have otherwise known.

It is important to note that I was born and raised on the island of O'ahu, and I am of Hawaiian decent. My grandparents on one side of the family were from Waimea on the island of Hawaii. My other grandparents were immigrants. Furthermore, my family and I were personal friends of Israel. What offends me most about this book is that I am left with the impression that the author capitalizes on Israel's success in order to present his activist agenda on the unsuspecting consumer. Rick Carroll is an opportunist. He wastes no time in getting right to the crux of his message in the opening pages of this book(read pages ix, x, 1).

Mr. Carroll's generalities of poverty stricken Hawaiians are disingenuous. It is true that Hawaiians struggle financially, but to make a blanket statement describing the native population as living in poverty is far from the truth. It is important to realize that many of the homeless and/or poor mentioned are drug addicts, mentally unstable, or simply do not wish to work.

Although the book is about Israel, the author used up two entire pages while writing about George Helm, a Hawaiian musician and activist (Israel's band members, the men whom he traveled with and knew for many years, were not so fortunate) whom Mr. Carroll describes as the Hawaiian sovereignty movement's first martyr (Mr. Helm disappeared off the coast of Kaho'olawe while paddling on his surfboard in 1977. The cause of death is unknown). You will notice that the author does not mention whether or not Israel knew the late Mr. Helm personally. Perhaps Mr. Carroll attempts to legitimize this piece of information by comparing similarities between Israel and Mr. Helm as activists AND artists. This is a bit of a stretch. A page is also dedicated to Bumpy Kanahele, another activist. I realize that in order for the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons behind what motivated Israel's involvement in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, Mr. Carroll must provide historical background in order to give the reader a broader view of Israel's cultural roots, but the author resorts to distorting the facts in order to use these Hawaiians as a vehicle in putting forth his political ideology.

It would have been far more beneficial(rather than divisive) if Mr. Carroll had given the reader a brief history of the events leading up to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, followed by some of the struggles Hawaiians were forced to overcome as a result of the annexation and takeover of Hawaii. Mr. Carroll could have touched on the challenges involving the education of the Hawaiian people, and Hawaiian Housing issues. Instead, Mr. Carroll uses such topics as the bombing (images included) of Kaho'olawe. The author writes, "...conducted aerial bombing raids." Raids? There was no attack on civilians. For the uninformed; Kaho'olawe isn't even inhabited by people. Mr. Carroll tries to manipulate the reader by using such descriptions. This was a planned military exercise, not a hostile assault, take-over, or incursion. Why does the author resort to using such inflammatory language? Mr. Carroll does not provide any footnotes in order to substantiate any of his political assertions.

Another divisive subject was that of Mr. Carroll's description of immigrants. He discusses the areas Israel grew up in, and it's early history. On one occasion, the author writes, "...the first and second wave of Japanese and Chinese field hands. They had eased out from under the yoke of the sugar planter to settle..." Yoke? Is Mr. Carroll suggesting that these immigrants were slaves and being forced to work on the plantation? It is condescending and arrogant of the author to describe these people as if they were disenfranchised victims. Mr. Carroll failed to enlighten the reader with some of the history surrounding these "field hands" and their legacies, and the "yoke" of oppression of which they were able to free themselves "out from under", which includes my grandparents. They traveled to Hawaii without speaking a word of English. They managed to live a prosperous life. Both grandparents had their own businesses, and eventually bought a large piece of property on O'ahu. Perhaps the reader may wish to examine the lives and heritage of Zempan Arakawa of the famed Arakawa's, or Ching Sing Wo, founder of C.S. Wo. Chung Kun Ai, who founded City Mill in 1899. Mamoru and Helen Matsumoto of Matsumoto Shave Ice store, Wallace Takeshi Teruya and Albert Takeo Teruya, founding owners of Times Supermarket, or what about Tamashiro Market. An entire book could be written (though not by Rick Carroll, I hope) about these successful individuals and their families.

In talking about Israel's faith, Mr. Carroll further exposes his bias by reducing Israel's impromptu speech as a "rambling sermon" during the artists' last performance at the 1996 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. During his address to the audience, Israel does not expound on Hawaiian sovereignty, but rather speaks on the importance of nurturing family, the harmful effects of drug use, and forgiveness through Jesus. Israel's Christian heritage spans generations.

Well, at least Mr. Carroll is consistent. He is so consistent that he takes the opportunity, while writing about Israel's funeral, to interject his political musings. Carroll writes, "If at that moment the Hawaiians had stood up in rebellion and seized power, they might have pulled off a coup. Instead, they wept." The depth of the author's total disregard for our deep sense of loss and respect during a period of profound grief is staggering. "Instead, they wept"?! I assure you, "coup", or political protest was the furthest thing from the mourners mind during that memorial service. Family and friends, fans and dignitaries all gather to pay their respects, and to mourn the loss of a legend. We were not as self-absorbed and selfish as to think of ourselves and our political convictions on that somber occasion. I can't say as much for Mr. Carroll.

There were approximately twenty-four pages featuring images of CD covers, including one page dedicated to four of Martin Denny's albums featuring provocative looking women on the cover. Five pages featured promotional poster images of Israel's concerts. On page 166 there is an image, yet again, of Israel's CD's (the list is incomplete). These pages could have provided far more interesting stories of Israel and his band.

This book has many lovely photographs, and some interesting facts about Israel. There are very few direct quotes from people who knew and worked with him. As a matter of fact, out of the 185 page book, Israel's closest friends and family probably represent about three or four pages of print. The rest are many wonderful photos, and Rick Carroll's pontifications. This book should have been titled:

IZ, Please Help Me Put Forth My Political Agenda

True, of the hundreds of songs Israel sang and recorded, three or four were songs of sovereignty. Mr. Carroll tries to build a life around three or four tunes. Where are the interviews with his daughter, Wehi, the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, his sister, or Israel's band members? What about Del Beazley? These people knew and loved Israel. I wonder how many of them know Rick Carroll?

This book is an affront to the family, Hawaiian people, and the memory of a friend and Hawaiian treasure. It should be ceremoniously dismissed as political tripe disguised as a picture book

I recently went on a vacation to the Hawaiian islands. While there, I continued to hear the music of IZ. I wanted to learn a little more about the man behind the beautiful music; so when I returned home, I purchased this book on Amazon. The book is a great mix of photos and information. I enjoyed learning about a man with a true gift, that had his life cut way too short. I suggest you not only purchase this book, but look into his music as well, you will be pleased with both.

If you are looking for a book that tells the story of Iz, this is not it. The book is basically a coffee table book with some nice pictures and a few paragraphs of info (told in no particular order and repetitively). There is nothing in here you can't find in the album liner. Big disappointment - I love Iz and would cherish a book about his life.

Let's talk story... the life of IZ was interesting. What a great soul; what a great voice. Truly a touch of Hawaii.

I have very much enjoyed this story of IZ and his life and also the story of the Islands. I love Hawaii and I love the beautiful voice of the man called Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I only wish that I could have heard him sing live, before his passing. His love for his native land is awe inspiring, I enjoy seeing it through his eyes. Mahalo IZ, you are missed in this world......

IZ truly is the voice of the people. This book shows the true spirit of IZ kamakaweewoolee in a way that is intimate and candid. Of course to really feel the aloha, play the music...

This book gave me "chicken skin", the Hawaiian term for goose bumps. It captures the spirit of Iz and the Hawaiian people. Touches the heart. Great portrayal of the history of Hawaiian music as well. Highly recommended.

THE BOOK IS A VERY INTERESTING, AND VERY WELL WRITTEN BIO OF A FANTASTIC VOICE, HE IS GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.

I love IZ's music and think he's the best. His music is great for any occassion.