Walter Aipolani was a talented Hawaiian musician who wrote lyrics, sang, and played the guitar. Born into the magical setting of Keaukaha, close to Hilo, he and his family relocated to Oahu when he was a young boy. He performed on Waikiki’s stages in the 1980s, winning over fans and being known as Bruddah Waltah.
The publication of his debut album, “Hawaiian Reggae,” a melodic partnership with the accompaniment of the accomplished group Island Afternoon, was a turning point in his career. In Hawaii in the early 1990s, this musical gem became an enormous sensation, captivating listeners and selling almost 100,000 cassette tapes.
Bruddah Waltah Death: Obituary And Death Cause
The Hawaiian music scene laments the untimely passing of Bruddah Waltah, a genuine pioneer and kind person. As the first Hawaiian reggae musician and a committed leader at Native Village Rescue, he has made a lasting impression. The world said goodbye to the well-known singer, whose legacy was honored for his musical accomplishments, on August 17, 2023.
Many people were stunned to learn of Bruddah Waltah’s tragic death because the celebrated singer had just disclosed his health issues at a Hilo Palace Theater performance. It was discovered that he had fought cancer valiantly for more than a year. With an increasingly dire prognosis of advanced liver cancer, Waltah faced an arduous battle that he bravely battled.
Bruddah Waltah revealed the hard reality he faced—not having health insurance and having to deal with spiraling medical bills—in a moving pre-show interview. The expectation of a full recovery was in stark contrast to the financial strain that he was carrying as his chemotherapy treatment got underway.
Local musicians and other artists held a memorial event for Bruddah Waltah in 2022. Together, Mark Yamanaka, Randy Lorenzo, and Ben Kailicome gave a moving three-hour concert as a tribute to the musical icon.
Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E’s graceful performances adorned the stage, paying appropriate tribute to the artist’s cultural background. As the final curtain fell on the tribute event, Bruddah Waltah’s enduring legacy continued to be a trailblazer in Hawaiian reggae and a beacon of perseverance and unity.
Bruddah Waltah Music Career
As a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Walter Aipolani made history and is regarded as a true luminary in Hawaiian music. Waltah’s musical career took off in the 1980s when he charmingly sang his way into Waikiki’s residents’ hearts and gained the nickname “Bruddah Waltah.” But his impact went far beyond the sandy beaches, and he was rightfully dubbed the “Father of Hawaiian Reggae.”
Through her work with groups such as Island Afternoon, Aipolani was instrumental in bringing Hawaiian-style reggae music to the forefront in the 1980s and 1990s. The title of his debut album, “Hawaiian Reggae,” further emphasized this.
As captivating as the waves of Hawaiian reggae, it was a masterpiece that struck a deep chord with the local audience, selling close to 100,000 cassette cassettes. His well-known piece “Sweet Lady of Waihole” depicted the adored local fruit vendor Fujiko Shimabukuro poetically. The song “Waiting in Vain” by the late Bob Marley served as the inspiration for Aipolani’s literary homage in “Keep Hawaiian Lands.”
His interpretations of classic reggae songs, such as “No Woman No Cry,” were distinctly influenced by politics and society in Hawaii. Aipolani’s career as a musician included working with a variety of artists, including Steel Pulse, Gregory Isaacs, and UB40. He was influenced by a wide range of musicians, including The Beatles, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Bee Gees, and the renowned Bob Marley.
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