Waahila Iz

WAAHILA (Israel) Born on the Island of Oahu, Raised in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Music has been something he was attracted to since the age of 7, shortly after his win at Walmart against other boys in the 6-16 year old age group. His family on both sides were performers. His dad played the ukulele and the guitar and played various Hawaiian music for Waahila to learn while his mom was a vocalist who sang with her parents and sisters for church gatherings, performances and competitions.

His first actual performance was in the 4th grade talent show. He sang a Disney channel show theme song acapella and since there was no actual “winner” the director put him as the opening act. Later he formed a cover band with his friends in the 6th grade and they performed “Back at One,” by Brian McKnight, in the school talent show.

Waahila had also played saxophone while in the 6th grade. He picked up the ukulele at the age of 12 and has been playing it ever since. The guitar was later picked up at the age of 15 and he is still improving his playing, but instruments wasn’t as big then as his stage performances that he did in high school. In his sophomore year Waahila had joined 2 musicals, he was in “Snoopy”, and “The Music Man” as lead and supporting lead. He continued in his junior year in 2 more musicals “The little shop of Horrors”, and “A Good Man Charlie Brown” as Lead characters…till this day Waahila still jams wit da band and enjoy’s theatre games!

Ryan and Iz jammin