brudda iz?

 Somewhere on the horizon, you can see Ni'ihau, an island that has been completely populated by Hawaiians. The Robinsons, generations ago of New Zealand, own the island. They ran sheep and cattle on it until recently, when they began grazing on their lands on Kauai, once leased to sugar cane companies. 

   Anyway, one evening years ago, I sat on this beach in Pakala as the sun set and listened to an enormous man play a tiny instrument and sing Hawaiian songs. I may have even tried to add harmony, though I cringe at the thought now. When I later saw Brudda Iz—Israel Kamakawiwo'ole—on You Tube here play and sing, I thought of the man I heard on the beach, water lapping at our feet. I asked around here recently, because I couldn't remember who had taken me there or who the musician was. A friend said, "Was Brudda Iz, no? Or his brudda. They stay by Pakala, where the boats from Ni'ihau landing." Indeed, Iz's first band was called Sons of Ni'ihau—his mother was born there. So maybe that magic night was thanks to Iz. I can't ask him, because he is dead longtime now. And I still can't figure out who took me to Pakala.