A few days ago I was talking with my friends Connie and Rick Garnett. A couple of the things mentioned in passing were how some poets and songwriters have the ability to express important universal principles in a way that we all can understand and the wonderful singing voice of Hawaiian Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – who is usually known as “Bruddah Iz.” Those ideas led me to this Song of the Week, “Hawaii ’78.”
Rather than illustrating simply how a single gifted writer can reach our hearts with his or her words, “Hawaii ’78” shows that many people can beautifully express truly universal concepts, either individually or together. Most of the verses of the song were written by Hawaiian musician Micky Ioane, with help from friends in the “bruddah bruddah” collegiality of the Islands. The chorus was apparently composed by local record producer David Kawika Crowley, according to his website.
The haunting Hawaiian words that begin and end the song – “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” – are the official motto of the State of Hawaii, as provided in Article 15, Section 5 of Hawaii’s Constitution. The official meaning of the words, according to the Hawaiian Revised Statutes, is “the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
Translation, though, is a tricky business. The words were originally spoken by King Kamehameha III on July 31, 1843, when Queen Victoria restored Hawaiian sovereignty after several months of occupation by the British. In that context, the translation could be “the sovereignty of the land is restored/perpetuated in righteousness.” Regardless of the exact words in translation, the phrase seems to be recognized to indicate that people should respect and do what is right for the land, and for all life.
David Kawika Crowley’s record label released a version of the song entitled “Hawaii ’77,” performed by Mickey Ioane and others, on January 1, 1977, and it was not commercially successful. A few months later, it was heard and then recorded, as “Hawaii ’78,” by a group called the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau. It has been one of the most popular Hawaiian songs ever since.
Two of the members of the Makaha Sons were lead vocalist “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole and his brother “Skippy.” Although their music shows their love for the land of Hawaii, the brothers, unfortunately, did not properly care for their own bodies. In 1982, Skippy died of a heart attack resulting from his obesity. His younger brother Iz apparently did not learn from that tragedy, as his weight eventually exceeded 750 pounds.
In 1990, Iz left the Makaha Sons for a solo career in which he worked to bring the feel of Hawaiian music to better known American songs. He is best remembered for his versions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Wonderful World.” Iz died in 1997, at the age of 38, due to complications of his obesity. Human organ systems simply are not designed to function in such a huge body. He left behind some beautiful songs, including “Hawaii ’78,” which he also included on his best selling solo album, Facing Future.
Although it was specifically by Hawaiians and for Hawaii, “Hawaii ’78” expresses universal sentiments. Wherever humans exist, they (we) must recognize their impact on the land and on life. All people can ask what their God would think of their stewardship of the land and their lives if that divine being chose to return to Earth today.
The version of the song that is included here is by the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau. The harmonies in this song make it superior to Iz’s solo version, at least to my ears. The video is fairly long – nearly eight minutes. The first three minutes are mostly Iz talking about the song. It is worth taking the time to watch the whole thing.