Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole could once again gaze over the Wai‘anae Coast he loved so dearly if sculptor Jan-Michelle Kaiulani Sawyer is able to drum up enough support.

Sawyer, who creates lifelike bronze sculptures, wants to make a three-quarter-size statue of “Bruddah Iz” to pay homage to the legend whose music expressed what it meant to be Hawaiian — and proud of it. “Iz” died in 1997.

“I would like him to be facing the ocean,” Sawyer said. “He talked so much about the Wai‘anae coast and all his memories there. It makes sense to honor him, to put him in an area that meant so much to him.” [Read more…]