STAR-BULLETIN / 1978 The Makaha Sons of Niihau as they were in 1978, clockwise from left: Abraham Nahulu, Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoole, Iz's brother Skippy Kamakawiwoole, Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Mel Amina and Sonny Lim. Amina, who performs with 3 Scoops of Aloha, will pay tribute to Iz during the "Jammin' Hawaiians 10" concert Saturday.

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Good times

The annual concert goes back to
its roots with a special tribute
to "Bruddah Iz"

Not a day goes by that musician Mel Amina isn't asked about his cousin during a gig.

"We get people from all over the world who come to the Royal (Hawaiian) and the Sheraton (Waikiki)" said Amina, who performs twice a week with his band, 3 Scoops of Aloha. "And they always ask us, 'You guys know anything from Iz?' "

Local style "Jammin' Hawaiians 10" featuring Fiji, Keahiwai, B.E.T., Piilani Arias, Zacc Kekona, Tiana and 3 Scoops of Aloha Where: Waikiki Shell When: 4 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $18.50 to $27 Call: 296-1003

As part of Saturday's "Jammin' Hawaiians 10," promoter Mass Appeal Entertainment will pay tribute to Israel Kamakawiwoole with a special appearance by the trio that backed him until his death due to respiratory failure in 1997. Plans call for some of the other musicians playing that night to join Amina, Analu Aina and Jason Swangle at some point during their set.

"I know it's going to be good fun," Amina said. "We're going to do a lot of Israel's stuff."

IT'S BEEN more than three decades since Amina graduated from Waianae High School and first started jamming on the beach at Makaha with Kamakawiwoole and his older brother, Skippy.

All three were members of the Makaha Sons of Niihau during the late '70s and early '80s, and Skippy even helped Amina and Abraham Keala start 3 Scoops of Aloha before he died of a heart attack in 1982. And while they were staunchly pro-Hawaiian during a period when traditional music enjoyed a renaissance, precursors to today's Jawaiian craze could be found in some of their material.

"That was one of (Skippy's) goals," explained Amina. "He wanted to do not only Hawaiian, but also some stuff that we grew up with."

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STAR-BULLETIN / 1996 Israel Kamakawiwoole died in 1997 of respiratory failure. His music lives on in movies such as "Meet Joe Black," which starred Brad Pitt, and TV commercials and shows.

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Besides classic tunes that would keep the kupuna satisfied, the Makaha Sons of Niihau also experimented with R&B, reggae and contemporary pop during performances. Throughout the 11 years that passed between Amina leaving the band and reuniting with Israel to help launch his solo career, 3 Scoops of Aloha also enjoyed success with a more contemporary sound.

When Kamakawiwoole summoned Amina and Roland Cazimero to Queen's Hospital in 1993 for a rehearsal, they had no idea the initial collaboration would lead to worldwide success and a pair of gold records from the Recording Industry Association of America for the gentle giant.

"He was real positive with the direction he was going, but ... did not mention" any thoughts of leaving the Makaha Sons of Niihau at that time, according to Amina.

"I know he was coming back by doing more of that Jawaiian stuff," he said.

AFTER Kamakawiwoole's death, Amina shifted his focus once again.

Joined by fellow 3 Scoops of Aloha member Aina, the pair set out to help accompany Moe Keale (who also happened to be Kamakawiwoole's uncle) during performances. For the next four years, Amina and Aina helped Keale spread the aloha spirit in Waikiki.

"We kept that up until he got sick," said Amina. Keale died of a heart attack in 2002.

These days, along with helping his wife compose original music for members of her hula halau, Amina and his bandmates try to perpetuate the music of Kamakawiwoole and the Makaha Sons of Niihau while on stage.

"I dedicate all my music to everything I've learned," Amina said. "Now, I'm playing all my stuff that I did in the past ... I do all the Makaha Sons songs.

"And I always tell the story (about Israel)."