Israel Kamakawiwo'ole left a lasting imprint on Hawaiian music long before his 1997 death, but it's still heartwarming to know that now he'll be remembered throughout the world.

With his 1993 album "Facing Future" becoming the first Hawaiian-music album to go platinum, "Bruddah Iz" reached a goal that even he may not have envisioned.

How wonderful that this honor goes to a man whose pure voice and deep musical sense perfectly represents the marvel of Hawaiian arts.

Hawai'i now can hope that his many other works also will reap the recognition they deserve, and carry Iz forward into that future he faced.