Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 5, 1 May 2010 — Iz, Mākaha Sons showed us the healing power of music [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Iz, Mākaha Sons showed us the healing power of music

With the Mākaha Sons of Ni'ihau being honored with a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, many will recall that shining, chicken-skin moment in 1996, when the Mākaha Sons and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole reunited on stage for a performance, bringing everyone to its feet and leaving the crowd teary eyed. It was one of Kamakawiwo'ole's last puhlie performances before his death in 1997. OHA asked our in-house musicians for their memories of the defining moment in Nā Hōkū history. Here's what they said:

Hau'oli Akaka, former radio personality at KCCN OHA Chief Knowledge Officer After the Mākaha Sons of Ni'ihau had parted with Iz, we all witnessed a reconciliation and

real aloha on stage at that moment. There was not a dry eye in the ballroom and in the television audience. That, for me will always stand out as a memorable moment of Nā Hōkū Hanohano.

Kevin Chang, member of Kupa'āina OHA Land Manager It really had nothing to do with the awards at all. It was about personal

e m o t i o n a 1 strength, forgiveness and the aloha they had for eaeh other. The audience and the occasion just happened to be there. We are lucky for it.

Kaho' Hann: is nom

okeleholu "Kale" ahs, member of Waipuna, whieh iinated for Group of the Year

OHA Research Analyst Mākaha Sons' spontaneity in joining Iz's performance of "Kaleohano" and then sharing in a group hug - heads and shoulders above all other memories - surpasses my own past experiences. I watched it on TV and remember how

mueh it affected me. This simple gesture is a testament to the power of music. It has the ability to lift one's soul, to eommemorate a certain event, to remember a loved one and in this case, to heal, bring together and provide hope. We are all fans of music, no matter the style or language, and it is truly a universal language that is celebrated by all people. That night we experienced hope, and hope continues to fuel our minds as we continue on life's journey.

The late lsrael Kamakawiwo'ole, seated, with Moon Kauakahi and John and Jerome Koko, when they were known as the Mākaha Sons of Ni'ihau. - Photo: Courtesy of HARA