SCULPTURE'S DEBUT HONORS 'BRUDDAH IZ'  2003
Six years after his death, hundreds paid tribute to Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole as a 200-pound bronze bust of the revered singer was unveiled. The singer's widow, Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, and sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer placed leis on the sculpture during the dedication ceremony at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center. 85-670 Farrington Highway Wai’anae, HI

More info Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole with the commemorative sculpture of IZ. The portrait sculpture is located at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center in Waianae, Oahu.

Returning Series PREMIERE: 09/22/2003  http://www.nbc.com/Las_Vegas/ 
PREMISE: This drama follows the elite surveillance team charged with maintaining the security of one of Las Vegas' largest casinos. James Caan stars as Big Ed Deline, the head to the surveillance team. Along with his protege, Danny McCoy, an ex-Marine and Vegas natvie, they deal with card counters, costly streaks of random luck and rival casinos stealing away the high rollers. The cast of characters is fleshed out with an entertainment coordinator, an all-knowing valet, a pit boss and an elusive former competitor. Particular episode finds Sam traveling through the jungle of Kawai'i to the Hawaiian Villas, in a jeep while IZ's song adds to the ambience of their travels. Singing star Jewell also featured in this episode.

  <-Video of Iz Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's original version

January 25, 2006 Ted's Acapella group covering "Somewhere over the Rainbow" From TV show Scrubs Season 5 Episode 7 - My Way Home
I immediately recognized the song as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World"
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" has become the ukulele anthem of this generation. This version originates with the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Bradda Iz), now used in the NBC TV Show Scrubs and lately in a Rice Krispy's commercial.
Iz's Music Lives On: Could you tell me what the song is in the Rice Krispies commercial that they've been playing lately? Pour milk into a bowl of cereal and watch you hear a distinctive snap, crackle and pop for the first time. But it's the music in the background that grabs the viewer's attention in this television commercial for Rice Krispies, a familiar and somewhat haunting tune that's turned out to have worldwide appeal.
"It misses your ears and goes directly in your heart”. said Jon de Mello, head of Mountain Apple records.
Kellogg's is the latest company to make Isreal Kamakawiwaole's rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" part of an ad campaign. It's now the soundtrack for dozens of commercials "Fiat, Rice Krispies, Kellogg's corn flakes, Hallmark," de Mello said when asked to name a few. Over the years, the song's been part of the soundtrack to dozens of films and TV shows. Producers bought the very same song for "Finding Forrester," "Made," "The Big Bounce," and "50 First Dates," for episodes of "ER," "Providence," "Charmed," and "Party of Five." It aired in an eToys ad during the Super Bowl, and then commercials throughout Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand. Although most listeners couldn't remember the name of the artist, it didn't matter. "It was just one of Isreal's favorites and he loved to play it, real simply and sing it and hum it."In 2002, fans of ER heard Kamakawiwaole's voice as they said goodbye to one of the show's most beloved characters. Over the years, the song's been part of the soundtrack to dozens of films and TV shows. "The neat part of the licensing was it did start to take off before Israel died," de Mello said. "So he did feel a lot of it." The song was a personal favorite of Kamakawiwaole, but not one he often shared with his fans."The irony is real he never did Somewhere Over The Rainbow live," "It was not in his stage repertoire." "It is a legacy, it is growing and it's getting stronger," de Mello said. "It's not showing signs of slowing down or stopping at all."

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN FOR TEN YEARS

Ten years after his death on June 26, 1997, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole remains a powerful influence on modern Hawaiian music and culture, both at home and abroad. He has, arguably, achieved iconic status; that his fame was built in large part on a medley of two songs with no connection to Hawai‘i seems almost irrelevant. The sounds of his gentle ukulele and sweet tenor remain as popular as ever; adults and children alike continue to listen and play his music, embracing his Wonderful World.
SPECIAL FEATURE http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/ New Cd Release

The Rice Krispies commercial says childhood is calling, perhaps a fitting tribute to a man whose music lives on.

“Snakes On A Plane,” starring Samuel L. Jackson, also stars some Hawaiian music, with songs from Amy Hānaiali`i Gilliom, IZ, and Brother Noland. Apparently, the movie’s flight originates in Hawai`i , which we all know has such an extensive snake problem…
A showing of IZ's "Over The Rainbow" happened on Dec. 29, 06 on yet another NBC Featured program "Las Vegas"

In April 2008, American Idol contestant, Jason Castro performed Israel's arrangement of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" on the ukulele.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x50g74_jason-castro-somewhere-over-the-rai_music

April 14, 08... What a week for IZ! It's amazing what happens when millions of people hear IZ sing or even a cover of an IZ arrangement.  On Sunday, April 6, CBS aired an episode of Cold Case that featured Over the Rainbow right at the peak of the show and we felt the rumble from the entire US viewing audience. On Tuesday, Jason Castro, one of this seasons American Idol contestants decided to play ukulele and cover IZ on Over The Rainbow, even taking the same artistic liberties with the lyrics!  IZ's music immediately started to sell and chart in the top 10 at Amazon and iTunes.  For two days, he was in the top ten songs (all genres) downloaded on iTunes and in the top ten overall sales at Amazon.  Customers from around the world were emailing and calling --- it has been an exciting week.  Hawaii's idol helps American Idol's Jason Castro go to the next week of competition. On April 18, Mountain Apple Company is proud to say that six of it's songs are featured in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall which has been previewing to great reviews all over the U.S.  Four of those songs are by IZ (none of them Over The Rainbow, so we know that everyone is discovering his entire catalog of music).  The other two are by The Brothers Cazimero and Martin Pahinui respectively. And before we get off the subject of IZ, we send our aloha to Bette Midler who used IZ's music as a pleasant finale after she left the stage at the Collesium at Caesars Palace while credits rolled on the back screen of the stage.  So many of his fans have alerted us to this wonderful touch at the end of a great show.  sland Sounds Color Movie Soundtrack By Wayne Harada
The Honolulu Advertiser; "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the filmed-in-Hawai'i Jason Segel-written comedy produced by Judd Apatow (of "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" success), features six legit Island tunes in the soundtrack. So, hearing the background music might be as enticing as watching the comedic antics of a dude (Segel) seeking refuge in the Islands to overcome his split from his ex-girlfriend (Kristin Bell) ... who also is in Hawai'i.

The late Bruddah Iz, aka Israel Kamakawiwo'ole dominates with four vocals ("Ka Huila Wai," "Aloha Ka Manini," " 'Ulili E," and "Henehene Kou 'Aka") but listen, too, for cuts by The Brothers Cazimero ("Mai Ha'i Ia Ha'i") and Martin Pahinui ("Ka 'Ano 'I"). The movie also taps Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho (who also sings, and is known for his uke and ki ho'alu prowess), vocalizing Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" (which was translated by Amy Stillman) The two other Island-inspired tunes are Hawaii Tattoo's "My Little Grass Shack" and Malekowa and The Tradewinds' "Molokae Moloka'i." ...
The Turtle Bay Resort is easily identifiable as the backdrop in much of the footage and the rustic North Shore coastline — from La'ie to Mokule'ia — stars, too. ..."

August 31, 08  Somewhere Over the Rainbow is used during the TV show "Cold Case".

 Nov. '08 

·  IZ Honored at Grammy® Museum Grand Opening December 6th

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole will be in the musical spotlight again! His ribbon Koa wood `ukulele custom crafted for IZ by Kamaka 'Ukulele will be on loan for the opening of the GRAMMY Museum in December '08. The museum will be "an exciting an interactive celebration of the power of music;" the opening will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the GRAMMY Awards. The 'ukulele is part of their display for at least 2 years.   Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's recording of "Over the Rainbow" was again one of four recorded songs by vocal greats played in New York's Times Square shortly after the crystal ball descended, marking the start of 2009. The first song was, appropriately, Frank Sinatra's "New York New York." It was followed by Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." Then came IZ's "Rainbow" blockbuster. That's cool for IZ to be linked with such legends. Anderson Cooper, cohosting CNN's New Year's special with comedienne Kathy Griffin, was saying how much he loved that version of "Over the Rainbow" when he was cut off by the loudmouth comedienne.

  Loyal Garner: Through-Nov.15, 2001

Hawaii's Lady of Love teamed with Kai, Melveen Leed and Nohelani Cypriano to form the group called "Local Divas.". Devoted to music since the age of five,  two-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner.  Kumu hula meaning Hula Teacher.

Danny's reference to The Lady of Love's song.. Kumu Hulas They Say, Ha’a Hula This Way.  Kumu Hula is a teacher of Hula. Loyal - Lady of Love

  Arthur Lyman:

Danny's reference to Arthur Lyman's song... Yellow Bird we can see High in Banana Trees.

< This is a short video clip of Arthur Lyman playing "Yellow Bird" at the New Otani Hotel in Waikiki.

  Moe Keale (Wilfred Nâlani Keale) Dec. 3, 1939-Apr 15, 2002 Maternal Uncle of Hawaiian music artist, Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole, Moe Keale had a career that spans 40 years of traditional Hawaiian performing arts using his unique and smooth voice and `ukulele mastery. A member of the Sons of Hawaii along with Gabby Pahanui. Best known for "Aloha Is ... A Part of Me, a Part of You," for which he won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award in 1987 and which touches Danny directly. He also had an expanded acting career, starting as a member of the Hawaii Five-O crew, Moe played HPD officer Truck in the final season and a variety of "heavy" roles on the show (he was known to the cast and crew as "Animal"). Magnum, P.I." and in such diverse shows as "Kung Fu," "Charlie's Angels" and Donny and Marie Osmond's "Going Coconuts. Many TV and movie credits to his name. A Tribute to Moe Keale - A Brush with Death - Moe Keale Passes -

Danny's reference to Moe Keale's song  A Part of Me, a Part of You  a song with a special connection.

A Part Of Me, A Part Of You (The Hospital Song) - by Danny Lopes, Sr Every time I look at you I just don't know what to do When I see you Since you came into my life Such a change in me I can't explain Ever since I met you While strolling through the park one sunny day It was love when I first saw you And this love I really feel down deep inside It's not often that I feel this way But since you came into my life You have now become a part of me And I, a part of you Source: Moe Keale CD Aloha Is A Part of Me - The composer, saw a lovely young girl strolling in a park and was inspired to write this song. She became his first wife, Mary Ann. Daniel Antone Lopes, Sr., a prolific composer, worked for Queen's Hospital 23 years. He volunteered his services after he retired and serenaded many patients with this song that became known as The Hospital Song.

Moe Keale first met Danny and expressed how his song "These Islands touched his heart". Moe said, "I was driving when I heard this song come on the air, I had to pull over and buried my face in my hands and shed tears, it's the most moving song I have ever heard!" 

Danny, after hearing this, along with Moe Keale's passing, helped to inspire the writing of this song. "When Hawaiian's Fall"