Search - Hot Hawaiian Nights on DVD

Iz, the "Hawaiian Superman," in unforgettable concert.

Mary Whipple | New England | 10/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sitting before a lei-draped microphone, his ukulele looking tiny in his hands, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole performs before a small, intimate audience in a local TV studio in 1993, making his first video for Hot Hawaiian Nights. Iz is a young singer here, his mellow voice already winning huge audiences, and everyone is very relaxed. Since he does not have his own band yet, Roland Casimero (of the Brothers Casimero) and Mel Amina (Iz's cousin) lend support on guitar but stay in the background, with the hand-held camera focusing on Iz for most of the concert.

The songs he sings have become, by now, classics for Hawaiians and kama'aina alike, and all will be familiar to the listener. During "Ka Pua U'I," Iz invites a young hula dancer, wearing shorts and tee-shirt, to come up and perform with them, making this feel like a private concert among friends in your own living room. Casimero has a terrific solo in "Pupu O Ni'ihau," and the entire group has fun and jokes around in "Living on Easy." The gorgeous "Kaulana Kawaihae," a romantic and poignant ballad about the lost way of life of a Big Island village is a high point in this part of the video.

The second part of the video takes place two years later. By 1995 Iz has his own band, a group uniquely geared to showcasing Iz's voice and providing a broader musical interpretation of his music. With Analu Aina on bass, Mel Amina on six-string, Gaylord Holomalia on keyboard, and Mike Muldoon (whom Iz describes as "A Hawaiian trapped in a haole man's body") on percussion, Iz has a bigger sound, beginning this section with one of his most popular songs, "Living in a Sovereign Land." Other famous Iz songs include "Henehene Kou'Aka," a cheerful and fast song about a streetcar, "Ka Huila Wai," about a waterwheel, and one of Iz's most popular songs, "Tengoku Kara Kaminari," a song honoring three of Hawaii's sumo wrestlers, who have become famous in Japan.

The intimacy of the setting and the close-ups of Iz and his band give viewers an opportunity to be closer to Iz than anyone could ever get during a live concert. Mellow, relaxed, and very poignant, this is a video that the many friends of Iz will treasure. Mary Whipple
"

Israel Live

ripa | Lafayette, CA USA | 04/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent DVD, created from a live television concert by Iz and two members of his band. Although it is short (50 minutes), it's worth every penny!"

Hawaian Rainbows

S. Davidow | Henrietta,NY USA | 01/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I heard somewhere over the rainbow, I had to find out who he was..My husband and I went to Hawaii in September and you could here any where you went. I was in a store and it came on. So I asked if they knew who it was..and they told me.. I bought the first CD. When we got home I looked him up. Well I loved it. He had a wonderful voice..I had to buy more.. I am thankful that Amazon has his DVD's and CD's. Worth every penny..."

Hot

WyomingNomad | 01/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"IZ's (May he rest in peace) popularity seems to be growing...and I now know why. He is a wonderful performer, such tremendous musical talent and a delightful personality. His deep convictions also come across in his music and his commitment to Hawaii and Hawaiian people -- but not in a way that comes across as being against the rest of the world. Most highly recommended."