Marlene Kamakawiwo'Ole's Was Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole's Wife for Almost 20 Years

Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole gave up her career in entertainment when she married her late husband, the beloved singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Though she sometimes felt taken for granted, she loved and cared for him.

Despite the difficulties that came with being married to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole remembered him fondly. The couple wed in their early 20s and had one daughter, Ceslieanne Wehekealake'alekupuna Ah Lo (better known as Wehe).

On the tenth anniversary of his death, Marlene recounted a few memories she still held dear of her late husband. She shared that he always bought her roses when he could afford them. Still, their marriage had challenges, and as Marlene said, her husband "always got his way."

Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole Was a Hula Dancer

Marlene was 14 when she met her husband. She had already begun hula dancing, having performed in Honolulu, Tokyo, Omaha, and Idaho, while he played the ukulele in a band and performed around Hawaii.

"I am going to marry you one day," Israel once said to Marlene. He even shared his declaration with her mother. Although Marlene laughed at his words, she agreed when he proposed – she was 20 by then. They tied the knot on September 18, 1982, at Ka Makua Mau Loa church, Kalihi.

They had invited 500 guests to celebrate, but over double that number showed up. "Israel told everyone, 'Come,' and they did. My parents had to take out a second [mortgage] on their house to pay for the party," Marlene shared.

After marrying, Israel told her, "There is only room for one entertainer." Indeed, Marlene ended her dancing career; however, her husband once brought her onstage during one of his performances, and she danced as he sang.

Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole 'Wanted Out' of Her Marriage

Marlene's life revolved around caring for her husband and daughter, Wehe; however, it wasn't easy, especially during the first half of their marriage. She would go to work during the day, and when she returned, Israel would leave and not return until the following morning.

He would spend entire nights out partying. "Years of that used to drive me nuts," Marlene said. Bearing the responsibility of keeping their lives together sometimes became so overwhelming that she would take Wehe and stay at her mother's house for months.

"He took me for granted for a long time. He knew that I would be there," Marlene reflected, though adding that she learned a lot from Israel. Her father spoiled her as a child, but she saw things from a different perspective when she took the caretaker role.

Still, "Believe me, I wanted out so many times," she said. Israel eventually found his own place, and they lived separately for some time until he suffered a heart attack. They reconciled afterward, and Marlene would go to his place to help look after him, though they continued living apart.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Left Marlene and Wehe a Legacy to Sustain Them

Marlene's husband died in June 1997, leaving a lucrative legacy for her and Wehe. His beloved music was featured in famous Hollywood productions, including the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore romcom "50 First Dates" and the medical drama series "ER."

According to his official site, his fans even included Jim Carrey, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2010, Marlene said the royalties generated from his music and other endeavors would be enough to live on if she retired. Currently, there are also official social media accounts in her husband's name.