Category: Recommended Content

The Hawai’i Vacation Guide is created by Erica Gellerman and Jordan Fromholz. The channel was created after they moved to Maui in 2019 and were looking for a good resource on activities on the islands for themselves but were also asked by friends for Hawai’i travel advice. They post new videos regularly and also sell travel itineraries on their website. Their business model is based on selling the itineraries and creating income with affiliate links, details can be found here. However their content is a helpful and professionally created resource for your trip planning.

Here are some videos on Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawai’i:

The YouTube channel 365 Hawai’i is maintained by Julie and Eric Ziemelis. The couple moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i in 2005 and posts videos on Things to Do, Events, Social and Cultural Issues as well as on News from the Kailua-Kona Business Community. Being realtors they are also happy to answer all your real-estate related questions and operate a dedicated channel and website: 365 Hawaii Real Estate Minute and www.365HawaiiRE.com. The idea is to attract new customers, but we are fine with that, since their content is totally worth watching.

Here are some videos about the Big Island of Hawai’i:

“Over the Rainbow”, also known as “Somewhere over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg for the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz”. This version was sung by actress July Garland. On his 1993 album “Facing Future” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole interpreted the song in a ukulele medley with “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, first recorded in 1988. For details see this interesting article about IZ here at NPR.

Thanks to Mountain Apple Company, Inc. for sharing his songs on YouTube. More information on IZ and to access his songs through your favorite streaming provider, visit https://izhawaii.com.

Hawai’i 78 was originally written by Mickey Ioane, Abe Keala, Cleyton Kua, and David Crowley and later performed by Israel Kamakawiwoole’s former band, the Makaha Sons of Niihau. The song was already written in 1977, therefore originally titled Hawai’i 77 and performed by The Ioane Brothers. This haunting and beautiful song is grieving the losses of the indigenous people, spirit and land of Hawai’i in the face of modern civilization. Wholehearted Chorus sings this in the spirit of love and protection for indigenous lands, species, cultures everywhere.

This is the Israel Kamakawiwoole’s interpretation of the song. Check out the website about IZ here http://izhawaii.com and if you enjoy his songs, his albums are still available.

In 2019 the song was re imagined by the Mana Maoli Collective, a Hawaiian Nonprofit. Check out their website for details at https://manamaoli.org/. This version is truly moving and my favorite. Thanks to all the performers for coming together to create this highly emotional masterpiece.