Money needed for Bruddah Iz memorial
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
A 200-pound bronze bust of the late Israel "Bruddah Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole sits in a crate at a Berkeley, Calif., foundry, awaiting the rescue money that will bring the memorial to the singer's beloved Wai'anae Coast.
Advertiser library photo
But with less than two weeks remaining until its scheduled dedication at the Wai'anae Neighborhood Community Center, thousands of dollars are still needed to pay the sculptor and cover other costs.
Sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer created this bronze bust as a remembrance of Bruddah Iz. City Councilman Mike Gabbard hopes to raise another $8,000 to pay Sawyer and buy a pedestal and plaque for the memorial site.
City Councilman Mike Gabbard, who is spearheading the fund-raising effort, vows that "come hell or high water" the sculpture will be unveiled as planned — at 2 p.m. Sept. 20.
But he said he could use some help.
A total of about $12,000 has been raised, and Gabbard said he's confident that Iz's Hawai'i fans will come through with enough donations to cover the remainder — about $8,000. To this point, they've had little chance to contribute.
"I absolutely want to get them every opportunity to donate," he said. "But most importantly we just want them to come to the dedication and be a part of this experience."
Sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer and her agent, Liz Rizzo, came up with the idea for the bust even before Iz achieved international fame with his recording of "Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World."
Sawyer began work in August 2001 — four years after the singer's death — and figured the sculpture could be completed in less than a year and paid for with public donations.
But the project has been plagued by setbacks and financial obstacles. A planned fund-raising concert was canceled, and the head of Iz's recording label, Mountain Apple, refused to endorse the idea.
Donations can be sent to: The Friends of Bruddah Iz
Then came the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, and the project stalled when pledged donations were diverted to help the victims.
How to help
P.O. Box 2217
'Ewa Beach, HI, 96706
Last March, Gabbard, who feels strongly that the bust of Iz belongs in Wai'anae, agreed to do what he could to make it happen.
Sawyer, who splits her time between California and Hawai'i, donated her time and talent in creating the Iz bust, which has been valued at around $40,000. But she wants the $15,000 out-of-pocket money for materials and the cost of casting the bust.
She said the minute she receives two-thirds of the money coming to her she'll send the bust to Hawai'i, which will take three days. She said Hawaiian Air Cargo has agreed to ship it for free.
But Gabbard intends to send Sawyer all the money owed her. He has raised $10,000 from local businesses and has been bolstered by a recent influx of donations from California fans of the singer.
He said he was startled by the California outpouring, which followed an Aug. 28 article about the ill-fated bust in the San Francisco Chronicle. Since then, West Coast residents have sent in nearly $2,000.
"I read of your plight to get the bust of of Israel back to Hawai'i," wrote Hannah Ikeda of San Anselmo, who donated $200. Lynne Brooks Keady of Menlo Park sent a check for $50, along with a note that said, "Love that man — his voice fills our home and cars."
Gabbard believes Hawai'i fans will come through in the 11th hour and enable him to pay all the money owed Sawyer, plus $5,000 needed for a pedestal and plaque to adorn the dedication site.
Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, Iz's widow, said she is excited about the dedication and has no doubt Iz's bust will be unveiled as planned.
"I believe its going to get here," she said. "And it's going to be something that will make the people feel his presence again. It's part of the ongoing celebration of his life."
And in spite of all the setbacks and headaches associated with the project, Sawyer says she'd do it all again.
"It has been one of the most eye-opening experiences I've ever had," she said. "In the beginning it struck me as very simple and obviously something beneficial to the community.
"But I think the community will feel particularly proud to have Iz there. He was always about honoring your past, living in the present and looking to the future. To me, that's what he was about. I think he would be happy about being there."
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.
Correction: A statement was attributed incorrectly in a previous version of this story. Sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer said that despite the project's setbacks, she would do it again.
