Ceslie Ann Kamakawiwo’ole is the only child of the beloved Hawaiian singer Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole and his wife, Marlene. Many people first learn her name because they already know her father’s music, like the famous “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.” In this article, we look at what is publicly known about Ceslie Ann. We also explain what is unclear and why. Our goal is to share clear, simple, and respectful information.
Personal Information
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ceslie Ann Kamakawiwo’ole (often called “Wehi”) |
| Parents | Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole (1959–1997) and Marlene Kamakawiwo’ole |
| Known for | Being the only child of Israel “IZ”; brief media attention in 2016 related to a police bulletin in Hawaii |
| Public activity | Low profile; limited verified public statements |
| Also seen as | “Hawaii’s Most Wanted” TV segment subject (2016), based on a local news report |
Family background
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole is one of Hawaii’s most loved musicians. He was a singer and ukulele player, and he also spoke about Native Hawaiian rights. Reliable profiles and histories show that he and his wife Marlene had one child, a daughter named Ceslie Ann, also called “Wehi.” These sources help confirm basic family facts, but they share little about Ceslie Ann’s private life, and we should respect that.
IZ died in Honolulu on June 26, 1997. His legacy keeps growing, and new listeners discover his music every year. Because of this, many fans later search for news about his daughter. This is one reason articles about Ceslie Ann appear from time to time, often repeating each other.
What happened in 2016?
In August 2016, a short TV segment from local station KHON2 placed attention on Ceslie Ann. The segment was part of the show “Hawaii’s Most Wanted.” It showed footage connected to a stolen car case and named Ceslieanne (Ceslie Ann) Kamakawiwo‘ole. This report is one of the few primary sources on the topic that is still viewable today.
A number of summary articles later repeated details from that KHON2 segment. Some say there was a $20,000 warrant, and some mention issues with HOPE probation. These claims appear across secondary websites, but not all of them point to original police documents that the public can still access. Because of that, these details should be treated with care. They likely come from the same small set of local reports. Where we can, we point to those local reports; where we cannot, we say “reports say.”
What we can say with confidence is this:
- A KHON2 “Hawaii’s Most Wanted” segment in August 2016 named Ceslie Ann in connection with a stolen vehicle case.
- After that, many websites wrote about the segment and repeated parts of it. Some added extra claims that are hard to verify today.
Life outside the spotlight
Before and after 2016, Ceslie Ann stayed largely out of public view. A few human-interest articles describe her as a private person, sometimes sharing unverified personal details (for example, the number of children or her exact birth year). Because these details are not easy to confirm from primary records, we will not state them as facts. We simply note that several articles say she keeps a low profile and does not seek media attention.
This private approach is understandable. Many children of famous people try to live normal lives. In Hawaii, the idea of ‘ohana (family) and community care is strong. It is common for families to deal with personal matters away from the news. For that reason, there may never be full public clarity about many parts of Ceslie Ann’s life, and that is okay.
What is verified vs. what is not?
To help you read online pieces with a careful eye, here is a quick guide:
- Verified:
- Israel and Marlene had one daughter, known as Ceslie Ann (“Wehi”).
- In August 2016, KHON2 aired a “Hawaii’s Most Wanted” segment that named her in a stolen car case.
- Reported but less clear (treat with caution):
- Exact warrant amount and probation program details (often repeated by secondary sites without a still-accessible primary document).
- Exact birth year and detailed personal life claims (children, height, etc.) that appear on SEO-style websites without strong sourcing.
If you want the most reliable picture, focus on the local TV segment and the established profiles of IZ. Those give the basics without speculation.
Why does her story draw interest?
People care about Ceslie Ann because they care about IZ. His songs make many listeners feel hope and peace. Fans often wonder how his family is doing today. When a name linked to him appears on the news, interest rises. But it is also fair to remember that one news segment does not define a whole life. A person can face problems and still choose a quieter, better path later. This is true for anyone, famous or not.
Tips for reading about Ceslie Ann online
- Check the source. Prefer local news or well-known music histories over random blogs.
- Look for dates. Many sites copy old reports. Make sure you know when the event happened (for example, August 2016 for the KHON2 segment).
- Beware of extras. Claims about money, family size, or exact personal data may not be verified. Treat them as “reports say” unless the site shows a primary document.
- Respect privacy. Not everyone with a famous parent wants to live in public. It is okay to leave some things unknown.
Final thoughts
Ceslie Ann Kamakawiwo’ole’s life is not a public story in the same way her father’s life is. The sure facts are simple: she is IZ’s only daughter, and for a short time in 2016 she appeared in a local TV report about a stolen car case. Beyond that, much is private or unverified. As readers and fans, we can honor IZ’s beautiful legacy while giving his family the space they choose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Who is Ceslie Ann Kamakawiwo’ole?
She is the only daughter of Hawaiian singer Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole and his wife, Marlene. - Why is she also called “Wehi”?
“Wehi” appears in music histories and profiles as a name used for IZ’s daughter. It is a common way people refer to her in Hawaii. - Is she a public figure like her father?
No. She has kept a low profile and does not often speak in public. - What happened in 2016?
A KHON2 segment of “Hawaii’s Most Wanted” named her in a stolen car case, which led to short-term media attention. - Was there a warrant or probation issue?
Some articles say there was a warrant and probation matters, but these details are mostly from secondary sources and are hard to verify today. Read them with care. - What is known about her early life?
Very little is public. Most reliable sources focus on IZ and only note that he had one daughter, Ceslie Ann (“Wehi”). - Where is she now?
Reports say she lives privately and away from media. There is no strong, current primary source with more detail, which suggests she prefers privacy. - Does she have social media?
There is no verified, public account tied to her that major outlets cite. Be careful with pages that claim to be her without proof. - How should fans of IZ view her story?
With kindness and respect. One TV segment does not define a person. Many families face hard times; privacy helps people heal and move forward. - Where can I read trustworthy information?
Start with the KHON2 segment for the 2016 event and with reputable profiles of IZ that mention his daughter. Avoid sites that make big claims without clear sources.
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