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'{{Short description|American musician and singer (1959–1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Use American English|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | image = Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.jpg | caption = Kamakawiwoʻole in 1993 | birth_name = {{nowrap|Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole}} | birth_date = {{Birth date|1959|5|20}} | birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii]] | death_date = {{death date and age |1997|6|26|1959|5|20}} | death_place = Honolulu, [[Hawaii]], U.S. | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer|activist}} | years_active = 1976–1997 | children = 1 | module = {{Infobox musical artist |embed = yes |background = solo_singer |genre = {{flatlist| *[[Music of Hawaii|Hawaiian]] *[[Folk music|folk]] *[[World music|world]] *[[reggae]] }} |instrument = {{flatlist| *[[Ukulele]] *vocals }} |label = [[Mountain Apple Company]] |associated_acts = [[Mākaha Sons]] of Niʻihau }} }} '''Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole'''{{efn|{{IPA-haw|kəˌmɐkəˌvivoˈʔole}}; meaning 'the fearless eye, the bold face'<ref name="The Official Site of Israel IZ Kamakawiwo`ole – This is the place for everything IZ Music, Stories, Videos.">{{cite web |title=Biography |website=The Official Site of Israel IZ Kamakawiwo`ole – This is the place for everything IZ Music, Stories, Videos. |url=https://izhawaii.com/biography/ |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211053937/https://izhawaii.com/biography/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} (May 20, 1959{{snd}}June 26, 1997), also called '''Braddah IZ''' or just simply '''IZ''', was a [[Native Hawaiian]] musician and singer. He achieved commercial success and popularity outside of [[Hawaii]] with his 1993 studio album, ''[[Facing Future]]''. His [[Medley (music)|medley]] of "[[Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World]]" was released on his albums ''[[Ka ʻAnoʻi]]'' and ''Facing Future'', and was subsequently featured in various media. The song has had 358 weeks on top of the [[World Digital Song Sales|World Digital Songs]] chart, making it the longest-leading number-one hit on any of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' song charts. Kamakawiwoʻole is regarded as one of the greatest musicians from Hawaii and is the most successful musician from the state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2022 |title=18 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Musicians From Hawaii |url=https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/famous-musicians-from-hawaii/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Macey |date=April 11, 2023 |title=20 Famous Musicians From Hawaii - Singersroom.com |url=https://singersroom.com/famous-musicians-from-hawaii/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Along with his [[ukulele]] playing and incorporation of other genres, such as [[jazz]] and [[reggae]], Kamakawiwoʻole remains influential on [[Hawaiian music]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The Legacy: A Voice Of Hawai'i and Hawaiians |last1=Gordon |first1=Mike |first2=Beverly |last2=Creamer |first3=Wayne |last3=Harada |url=http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/story_p3.html |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=August 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522051205/http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/story_p3.html |archive-date=May 22, 2008}}</ref> He was named "The Voice of Hawai‘i" by [[NPR]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kamakawiwo|first=Israel|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii|title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice Of Hawaii|date=December 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii|archive-date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> == Early life == Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole was born at [[Kuakini Medical Center]] on May 20, 1959, in [[Honolulu]] to Henry "Hank" Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole Jr. and Evangeline "Angie" Leinani Kamakawiwoʻole, who worked at a popular [[Waikiki]] nightclub. His mother was the manager while his father was a bouncer; his father also drove a sanitation truck at the U.S. Navy shipyard at [[Pearl Harbor]].<ref>{{Cite book|url = https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1803801|isbn = 978-0-19-860669-7|doi = 10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1803801|year = 2008|last1 = Holub|first1 = Rona L.|title = Kamakawiwo'ole, Israel Ka'ano'i (1959–1997), singer, musician, and activist for Hawaiian rights and sovereignty|access-date = January 23, 2022|archive-date = January 23, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220123172312/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the future and to be blessed with your life as well I love that for us to have you in my life is a gift and I hope that I will never have a problem with you and I will always be grateful for you and I love that you are my friend and I love your heart so I hope you and I know that I will be happy with my future and I hope I to 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the 6697-e-1803801|url-status = live}}</ref> The notable Hawaiian musician [[Moe Keale]] was Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle and a major musical influence. Kamakawiwoʻole was raised in the community of [[Kaimuki]], where his parents had met and married and he ate the world. Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his older brother, Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole III ("Skippy"), and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11 after being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as [[Peter Moon (musician)|Peter Moon]], [[Palani Vaughan]], [[Keola Beamer]] and [[Don Ho]], who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Kamakawiwoʻole perform, when, while playing for a graduation party, the whole room fell silent on hearing him sing.<ref name=npr>{{cite news |title=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice of Hawaii |first=Renee |last=Montagne |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=October 10, 2012 |date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416062754/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole remained in Hawaii as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and his cousin Allen moved to the mainland in 1976. Years to join his brother who had died of the war in the Pacific Ocean and has work pays for the rest of your life and your happiness and your life is a blessing in disguise for you to be blessed and blessed in the In his early teens, Kamakawiwoʻole studied at [[Upward Bound]] (UB) of the [[University of Hawaii at Hilo]] and his family moved to [[Mākaha]]. There, Kamakawiwoʻole met Louis Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome Koko.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hawaii.edu/~hartwell/music.htm |title=Article by Jay Hartwell of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa |publisher=hawaii.edu |date=May 26, 1991 |access-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-date=August 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821044651/http://www2.hawaii.edu/~hartwell/music.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Together with Skippy, they formed the [[Makaha Sons of Niʻihau]]. A part of the [[Hawaiian Renaissance]], the band's blend of contemporary and traditional styles gained in popularity as they toured Hawaii and the mainland United States, releasing fifteen successful albums. Kamakawiwoʻole's aim was to make music that stayed true to the typical sound of traditional Hawaiian music. His cousin [[Bill Keale]] is also a musician. == Music career == The [[Mākaha Sons|Makaha Sons of Niʻihau]] recorded ''No Kristo'' in 1976 and released several more albums, including ''Hoʻoluana'', ''Kahea O Keale'', ''Keala'', ''Makaha Sons of Niʻihau'' and ''Mahalo Ke Akua''. The group became Hawaii's most popular contemporary traditional group with breakout albums 1984's ''Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha'' and its follow-up, 1986's ''Hoʻola''. Kamakawiwoʻole's last recorded album with the group was 1991's ''Hoʻoluana''. It remains the group's top-selling CD.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} In 1982, Skippy died at age 28 of a heart attack.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ywzy8b/20-years-ago-hawaii-lost-its-greatest-musical-icon |title=20 Years Ago, Hawai’i Lost Its Greatest Musical Icon |date=June 26, 2017 |magazine=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |first=Dan |last=Ozzi |access-date=December 21, 2023 }}</ref> Later that year, Kamakawiwoʻole married his childhood sweetheart Marlene. They had a daughter named Ceslie-Ann "Wehi" Kamakawiwoʻole (born {{Circa|1983}}). In 1990, Kamakawiwoʻole released his first [[solo album]] ''[[Ka ʻAnoʻi]]'', which won awards for Contemporary Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year from the [[Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts|Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts]] (HARA). ''[[Facing Future]]'' was released in 1993 by [[The Mountain Apple Company]]. It featured a version of his most popular song, the [[Medley (music)|medley]] "[[Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World]]" (listed as "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"), along with "Hawaiʻi '78", "White Sandy Beach", "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man", and "Kaulana Kawaihae". The decision to include a cover of "[[Over the Rainbow|Somewhere Over the Rainbow]]" was said to be a last-minute one by Kamakawiwoʻole's producer [[Jon de Mello]] and Kamakawiwoʻole.<ref name="Chasing Rainbows">{{closed access}} {{cite journal |last=Guerin |first=Ada |title=Chasing Rainbows |journal=The Hollywood Reporter – International Edition |volume=394 |issue=32 |date=June 6, 2006 |pages=M419 |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |location=Los Angeles, CA, USA |issn=0018-3660 |url=http://0-ic.galegroup.com.ignacio.usfca.edu/ic/bic1/MagazinesDetailsPage/MagazinesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=BIC1&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Magazines&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&source=&sortBy=&displayGroups=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA147302617 |access-date=October 10, 2012}} {{subscription required}}</ref> ''Facing Future'' debuted at No.{{spaces}}25 on [[Billboard Magazine|''Billboard'' magazine]]'s Top Pop Catalogue chart. On October 26, 2005, ''Facing Future'' became Hawaiʻi's first [[certified platinum]] album, selling more than a million CDs in the United States, according to the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://starbulletin.com/2005/10/06/news/briefs.html |title=Brudda Iz's ''Facing Future'' goes platinum, a first for Hawaii |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=October 6, 2005}}</ref> On July 21, 2006, [[BBC Radio 1]] announced that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (True Dreams)" would be released as a single in America. In 1994, Kamakawiwoʻole was voted favorite entertainer of the year by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). ''[[E Ala E]]'' (1995) featured the political title song "ʻE Ala ʻE" and "[[Kaleohano]]", and ''[[N Dis Life]]'' (1996) featured "In This Life" and "Starting All Over Again". In 1997, Kamakawiwoʻole was again honored by HARA at the annual [[Na Hoku Hanohano Awards]] for Male Vocalist of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Island Contemporary Album of the Year. He watched the awards ceremony from a hospital room. The posthumously released album ''Alone in Iz World'' (2001) debuted at No.{{spaces}}1 on ''Billboard''{{'s}} World Chart and No.{{spaces}}135 on ''Billboard''{{'s}} Top{{spaces}}200, No.{{spaces}}13 on the Top Independent Albums Chart, and No.{{spaces}}15 on the Top Internet Album Sales charts. Kamakawiwoʻole's album ''Facing Future'' is the best-selling album by a Hawaiian artist in history. == Support of Hawaiian rights == Kamakawiwoʻole was known for promoting Hawaiian rights and [[Hawaiian sovereignty movement|Hawaiian independence]], both through his lyrics, which often stated the case for independence directly and through his own actions.<ref>Carroll, Rick. Iz: Voice of the People. Honolulu, Hawai'i: Bess, 2006. Print.</ref> For example, the lyric in his song "Hawaiʻi '78": "The life of this land is the life of the people/and that to care for the land (malama ʻāina) is to care for the Hawaiian culture", is a statement that many consider summarizing his Hawaiian ideals.<ref>Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. "Hawai'i '78." Facing Future. Mountain Apple Company, 1993. MP3.</ref> The [[state motto]] of Hawaiʻi is a recurring line in the song and encompasses the meaning of his message: "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" (proclaimed by [[King Kamehameha III]] when Hawaiʻi regained sovereignty in 1843. It can be roughly translated as: "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/hi_motto.htm |title=Hawaii State Motto Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness |publisher=Netstate.com |access-date=March 19, 2013 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224224937/http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/hi_motto.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamakawiwoʻole used his music to promote awareness of his belief that a second-class status had been pushed onto fellow natives by the tourism industry.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tranquada |first=Jim |title=The Ukulele: a History |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |year=2012 |page=166 |isbn=978-0-8248-3544-6}}</ref> == Later life == In the 1990s, Kamakawiwoʻole became a [[born-again Christian]]. In 1996, he was baptized at the Word of Life Christian Center in Honolulu and spoke publicly about his beliefs at the [[Na Hoku Hanohano Awards]]. Kamakawiwoʻole also recorded the song "Ke Alo O Iesu" ({{lang-haw|The Presence of Jesus}}).<ref name="Christian conversion">{{cite web |last=Adamski |first=Mary |date=July 10, 1997 |title=Isles bid aloha, not goodbye, to 'Brudda Iz' |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/97/07/10/news/story3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018013023/http://archives.starbulletin.com/97/07/10/news/story3.html |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2018 |website=Starbulletin.com}}</ref> == Death == Kamakawiwoʻole struggled with [[obesity]] throughout his life,<ref name="Carroll2006">{{cite book |first=Rick |last=Carroll |title=Iz: Voice of the People |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AsJNyBUUkmYC&pg=PT130 |year=2006 |publisher=Bess Press |isbn=978-1-57306-257-2 |pages=130–131}}</ref> at one point weighing {{convert|757|lb}} while standing {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2}} tall.<ref name="Kekoa">{{cite news |last1=Kekoa Enomoto |first1=Catherine |first2=Gregg K. |last2=Kakesako |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/1997/06/26/news/story1.html |title='IZ' Will Always Be |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=June 26, 1997 |access-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061502/http://archives.starbulletin.com/1997/06/26/news/story1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He endured several hospitalizations because of his weight.<ref name="Kekoa"/> With chronic medical problems including respiratory and cardiac issues, Kamakawiwoʻole died at the age of 38 in the [[Queen's Medical Center]] in Honolulu at 12:18&nbsp;a.m. on June 26, 1997, from [[respiratory failure]].<ref name="Kekoa"/> On July 10, 1997, the [[Hawaiian flag]] flew at [[Half-mast|half-staff]] for Kamakawiwoʻole's funeral. His [[koa]] wood casket [[lying in state|lay]] at the [[Hawaii State Capitol|state capitol building]] in Honolulu, making him the third person (and the only non-government official) to be so honored. Approximately 10,000 people attended his funeral. Thousands of fans gathered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997.<ref name="aloha">{{cite news |last=Adamski |first=Mary |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/1997/07/10/news/story3.html |title=Isles Bid Aloha, not Goodbye, to 'Brudda Iz' |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=July 10, 1997 |access-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-date=March 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314052713/http://archives.starbulletin.com/1997/07/10/news/story3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to witnesses, many people commemorated him by honking their car and truck horns on all Hawaiian highways that day. Scenes from the funeral and scattering of Kamakawiwoʻole's ashes were featured in official music videos of "Over the Rainbow", released posthumously by [[Mountain Apple Company]]. {{As of|2023|August}}, the two official video uploads of the song, as featured on YouTube by Mountain Apple Company Inc, have collectively received over 1.467 billion views.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211104/V1bFr2SWP1I| archive-date=November 4, 2021 | url-status=live|title=OFFICIAL Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole |publisher=Mountain Apple Company Inc |access-date=December 28, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211104/w_DKWlrA24k| archive-date=November 4, 2021 | url-status=live|title=OFFICIAL – Somewhere Over the Rainbow 2011 – Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole |publisher=Mountain Apple Company Inc |access-date=December 28, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On September 20, 2003, hundreds paid tribute to Kamakawiwoʻole as a bronze bust of him was unveiled at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center on Oʻahu. His widow, Marlene Kamakawiwoʻole, and sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer were present for the dedication ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sculpture's Debut Honors 'Braddah IZ' |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/09/21/news/indexwild.html |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=September 21, 2003 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810164217/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/09/21/news/indexwild.html |url-status=live }}</ref> == Legacy == On December 6, 2010, [[NPR]] named Kamakawiwoʻole as "The Voice of Hawaii" in its [[50 great voices]] series.<ref name=npr/> On March 24, 2011, Kamakawiwoʻole was honored with the German national music award [[Echo Music Prize|Echo]]. The music managers [[Wolfgang Boss]] and Jon de Mello accepted the trophy in his stead.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/fotos-starauflauf-bei-der-echo-verleihung-in-berlin?id=43269096 |title=Starauflauf Bei der Echo-Verleihung in Berlin |newspaper=[[Badische Zeitung]] |date=March 25, 2011 |language=de |access-date=May 21, 2020 |trans-title=Star-Studded Echo Awards Ceremony in Berlin |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724211108/https://www.badische-zeitung.de/fotos-starauflauf-bei-der-echo-verleihung-in-berlin?id=43269096 |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2014 [[Pixar]] short film, ''[[Lava (2014 film)|Lava]]'', features two volcanoes as the main characters. Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his style of music were James Ford Murphy's partial inspiration for the short film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.khon2.com/2014/11/03/5-questions-with-disneypixars-lava-director-james-ford-murphy/ |title=5 questions with Disney/Pixar's 'LAVA' director James Ford Murphy |date=November 4, 2014 |website=KHON2 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227123850/http://khon2.com/2014/11/03/5-questions-with-disneypixars-lava-director-james-ford-murphy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 20, 2020, [[Google Doodle]] published a page in celebration of Kamakawiwoʻole's 61st birthday. It featured information about his life, musical career, and impact on Hawaii. Included was a two-minute cartoon video with Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" playing as the background and imagery of Hawaii. The section of the page explaining the inspiration of the Doodle says that "The Doodle is full of places in Hawaiʻi that had special significance for Israel: the sunrise at [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head]], [[Mākaha Beach Park|Mākaha Beach]], the [[Akupu, Hawaii|Palehua vista]], the flowing lava and volcanic landscape of the [[Hawaii (island)|Big Island]], the black sand beach at [[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]] and the [[Waianae, Hawaii|Waiʻanae coast]]."<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's 61st Birthday |date=May 20, 2020 |url=https://www.google.com/doodles/israel-kamakawiwooles-61st-birthday |website=Google.com |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723073305/https://www.google.com/doodles/israel-kamakawiwooles-61st-birthday |url-status=live }}</ref> === "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" === {{Listen |type=music |filename=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - What A Wonderful World.ogg |title=Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World |description=Snippet lasting 31 seconds}} Kamakawiwoʻole's recording of "[[Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World]]" gained notice in 1999 when an excerpt was used in the TV commercials for eToys.com (later part of [[Toys "R" Us]]). The full song was featured in the movies ''[[K-PAX (film)|K-Pax]]'', ''[[Meet Joe Black]]'', ''[[Finding Forrester]]'', ''[[Son of the Mask]]'', ''[[50 First Dates]]'', ''[[Fred Claus]]'', ''[[Letters to Santa (film)|Letters to Santa]]'' and ''[[IMAX]]: [[Hubble 3D]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torontoscreenshots.com/2010/03/18/imax-hubble-3d/ |title=IMAX: Hubble 3D – Toronto Screen Shots |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2011 |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107025442/http://www.torontoscreenshots.com/2010/03/18/imax-hubble-3d/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also featured in TV series ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', ''[[Between The Lions]]'', ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]'', ''[[Cold Case (TV series)|Cold Case]]'', ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', ''[[South Pacific (TV series)|South Pacific]]'', ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', ''[[Storm Chasers]]'', the UK original version of ''[[Life on Mars (UK TV series)|Life on Mars]]'', and in ''[[Modern Family (TV series)|Modern Family]]'', among others.<ref>{{cite book |title=Lonely Planet Hawaii |first1=Kim |last1=Grant |first2=Glenda |last2=Bendure |first3=Michael |last3=Clark |first4=Ned |last4=Friary |first5=Conner |last5=Gorry |first6=Luci |last6=Yamamoto |page=97 |isbn=978-1-74059-871-2 |year=2005 |publisher=[[Lonely Planet Publications]] |edition=7th}}</ref> In 1988, a friend of Kamakawiwoʻole called a Honolulu recording studio owned by Milan Bertosa at 3:00 am with a request that Kamakawiwoʻole be allowed to come in to make a recording. Bertosa was about to shut down, but told the friend that Kamakawiwoʻole could come if he was able to make it within 15 minutes. In a 2011 interview, Bertosa recalled, "In walks the largest human being I had seen in my life. Israel was probably like 500 pounds. And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on." A security guard gave Kamakawiwoʻole a large steel chair. "Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over."<ref name=npr/> Five years later, Bertosa was working as an engineer at Mountain Apple Company when Iz was making a solo album there. Bertosa remembered the old demo tape and introduced it to de Mello, who remarked: "Israel was really sparkly, really alive." The original 1988 acoustic version of the song was released with the 1993 ''Facing Future'' album.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/01/08/hawaii-music-industry-mourns-death-award-winning-recording-producer-milan-bertosa/ |title=Hawaii music industry mourns death of award-winning engineer Milan Bertosa |date=January 7, 2023 |first=Annalisa |last=Burgos |website=[[Hawaii News Now]] |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125002533/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/01/08/hawaii-music-industry-mourns-death-award-winning-recording-producer-milan-bertosa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" reached No.{{spaces}}12 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Hot Digital Tracks]] chart the week of January 31, 2004 (for the survey week ending January 18, 2004). It had passed two million paid downloads in the US by September 27, 2009, and then sold three million in the U.S. as of October 2, 2011.<ref>[http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74420/week-ending-oct-2-2011-songs-gone-but-not-forgotten/;_ylt=AiD_OJ9nEgtKcMuaQRr99VUPwiUv Week Ending Oct. 2, 2011. Songs: Gone But Not Forgotten]</ref> And, as of October 2014, the song has sold more than 4.2 million digital copies.<ref name=billboard>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6289257/ask-billboard-the-weird-connections-between-mary-lambert-madonna?page=0%2C1 |title=Ask Billboard: The Weird Connections Between Mary Lambert & Madonna |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |date=October 21, 2014 |access-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref> The song is the longest-leading number-one hit on any of the ''Billboard'' song charts, having spent 358 weeks on top of the World Digital Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2022-08-27/ |title=World Digital Song Sales |date=August 27, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 16, 2023 }}</ref> On July 8, 2007, Kamakawiwoʻole debuted at No.{{spaces}}44 on the ''Billboard'' Top{{spaces}}200 Album Chart with "Wonderful World", selling 17,000 units.<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=israel kamakawiwo'ole|chart=all}} Artist Chart History{{snd}}Israel Kamakawiwo'ole], Billboard</ref> In April 2007, "Over the Rainbow" entered the UK charts at No.{{spaces}}68, and eventually climbed to No.{{spaces}}46, spending ten weeks in the Top{{spaces}}100 over a two-year period. In October 2010, following its use in a trailer for the TV channel VOX<ref>{{cite news |url=https://folio.nzz.ch/2011/juni/herr-der-goldtruhen |title=Herr der Goldtruhen |work=Folio |publisher=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]] |date=June 2011 |first=Andreas |last=Heller |access-date=May 21, 2020 |trans-title=Lord of the Chests of Gold |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813152530/https://folio.nzz.ch/2011/juni/herr-der-goldtruhen |url-status=live }}</ref> and on a TV advertisement—for Axe deodorant (which is itself a revival of the advertisement originally aired in 2004)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauTYOod9e4 |url-status=dead |title=Lynx – Getting Dressed Commercial Song Israel Kamakawiwo'ole – Somewhere Over the Rainbow |publisher=YouTube |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725204549/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauTYOod9e4 }}</ref>—it hit [[List of number-one hits of 2010 (Germany)|No.{{spaces}}1 on the German singles chart]], was the number-one seller single of 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/musik-jahrescharts-sanfter-riese-und-der-graf-setzen-sich-durch.html |title=Musik-Jahrescharts: 'Sanfter Riese' und der Graf setzen sich durch – media control |trans-title=Music charts of the year: 'Gentle giant' and der Graf |language=de |work=media-control.de |date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107110045/http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/musik-jahrescharts-sanfter-riese-und-der-graf-setzen-sich-durch.html |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=January 23, 2014}}</ref> and was eventually certified 2× Platinum in 2011.<ref>{{Cite certification |region=Germany |title=Over the Rainbow |artist=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole |type=single}}</ref> As of November 1, 2010, "Over the Rainbow" peaked at No.{{spaces}}6 on the OE3 Austria charts, which largely reflects airplay on Austria's government-operated Top{{spaces}}40 radio network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://charts.orf.at/oe3/single/2010/woche42 |title=oe3.ORF.at / woche 42/2010 |website=Charts.orf.at |language=de |access-date=January 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706094212/http://charts.orf.at/oe3/single/2010/woche42 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |date=October 25, 2010 }}</ref> It also peaked at No.1 in France and Switzerland in late December 2010. On December 21, 2020, the official music video for "Over the Rainbow" reached a billion views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Somewhere Over the Rainbow' by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Reaches 1 Billion YouTube Views |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/israel-ikamakawiwo-ole-somewhere-over-the-rainbow-1-billion-youtube-views-9507664/ |access-date=April 17, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In 2021, the song was inducted into the [[National Recording Registry]] as part of the heritage in American recorded sound.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.khon2.com/local-news/bruddah-iz-songs-to-be-added-to-library-of-congress-national-recording-registry/amp/ |title=Bruddah Iz songs to be added to Library of Congress National Recording Registry |date=April 2021 |work=[[KHON-TV|KHON]] |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315055418/https://www.khon2.com/local-news/bruddah-iz-songs-to-be-added-to-library-of-congress-national-recording-registry/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> == Discography == === Studio albums === *''[[Ka ʻAnoʻi]]'' (1990) *''[[Facing Future]]'' (1993) *''[[E Ala E]]'' (1995) *''[[N Dis Life]]'' (1996) === Compilation albums === *''IZ in Concert: The Man and His Music'' (1998) *''[[Alone in IZ World]]'' (2001) *''[[Wonderful World (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole album)|Wonderful World]]'' (2007) *''Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Best of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole'' (2011) ==Notes== {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} ;Sources *{{cite book |last=Carroll |first=Rick |title=IZ: Voice of the people |publisher=[[Bess Press]] |location=Honolulu, Hawaiʻi |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-57306-257-2 |oclc=71325451}} *{{cite book |last=Kois |first=Dan |title=Facing Future |publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group]] |series=[[33⅓]] |location=New York |year=2010 |isbn=9780826429056 |url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/alltitles/docDetail.action?docID=10427088 |oclc=676695887}} == External links == *{{Official website}} *{{allMusic}} *{{IMDb name|0436377}} *{{find a Grave|7870968|Israel Kamakawiwoʻole}} {{Israel Kamakawiwoʻole}} {{Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kamakawiwoole, Israel}} [[Category:1959 births]] [[Category:1997 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American singers]] [[Category:American Christians]] [[Category:American male songwriters]] [[Category:Burials at sea]] [[Category:Christians from Hawaii]] [[Category:Converts to Christianity]] [[Category:Deaths from respiratory failure]] [[Category:Hawaiian ukulele players]] [[Category:Mountain Apple Company artists]] [[Category:Musicians from Honolulu]] [[Category:Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners]] [[Category:Native Hawaiian musicians]] [[Category:Native Hawaiian nationalists]] [[Category:Respiratory disease deaths in Hawaii]] [[Category:Singers from Hawaii]] [[Category:Songwriters from Hawaii]] [[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]'