Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

Israel was a singer from Hawaii. He had a very special voice. People called him the voice of his home.

He played a small instrument with strings. It is called a ukulele. He sang songs that many people loved. One song was about a rainbow.

Israel loved his land. He used his music to speak for his people. He wanted everyone to care for Hawaii.

Many people still listen to him today. His music makes people feel happy. He is a hero to many in Hawaii.

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a famous singer from Hawaii. People often called him IZ. He was a great musician. He played the ukulele, which is a small string instrument.

Israel loved his home. He used his music to speak for Hawaiian rights. He wanted people to care for the land. He believed the land and the people were one.

He was in a group called the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. They played both old and new styles of music. Later, Israel made solo albums. His most famous song was a medley. It combined "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World."

This song was a huge hit. It stayed at number one on a music chart for many weeks. It was the longest-leading hit on any Billboard chart. Many people around the world still listen to his voice. He is known as "The Voice of Hawaii."

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a legendary musician from Hawaii. Many people fondly called him "Braddah IZ" or just "IZ." He is remembered as one of the greatest musicians to ever come from the islands. His voice was so special that NPR named him "The Voice of Hawaii." He loved to play the ukulele, which is a small string instrument. He also mixed traditional Hawaiian sounds with other styles like jazz and reggae. This helped his music reach many different kinds of people around the world.

Israel's music journey began when he was quite young. At age 11, he started playing music with his brother, Skippy, and his cousin, Allen. They were inspired by many famous Hawaiian entertainers. Later, Israel joined a group called the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. This band played a mix of old and new musical styles. They toured across Hawaii and the mainland United States. They even released fifteen successful albums together.

Israel wanted his music to mean something deep. He used his songs to support Hawaiian rights and independence. In his song "Hawaiʻi '78," he sang about caring for the land. He believed that caring for the land, or "malama ʻāina," was the same as caring for Hawaiian culture. He wanted everyone to know how important Hawaiian traditions were. His music was a way to speak for his people and their home.

In 1993, he released a very famous album called "Facing Future." This album included his most popular song. It was a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World." This song was a massive hit on the music charts. It spent 371 weeks at number one on the World Digital Songs chart. That made it the longest-leading number-one hit on any Billboard chart. His album "Facing Future" was also the first Hawaii album to be certified platinum.

Israel passed away in 1997 at the age of 38. Many people in Hawaii gathered to honor him. About 10,000 people attended his funeral. His ashes were later scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākaha Beach. Even today, his music is everywhere. His famous song has been used in many movies and TV shows. A Pixar short film called "Lava" was even inspired by his musical style. His legacy lives on through his beautiful songs and his love for Hawaii.

Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole was a legendary Native Hawaiian musician and singer. Known affectionately as "Braddah IZ" or simply "IZ," he is regarded as one of the greatest musicians from Hawaii. His unique musical style blended traditional Hawaiian sounds with contemporary genres like jazz and reggae. This combination helped him achieve massive mainstream popularity. In 2010, NPR named him one of the "50 Great Voices," calling him "The Voice of Hawaii."

Kamakawiwoʻole's musical journey began at age 11. He played music with his older brother, Henry "Skippy" Kamakawiwoʻole III, and his cousin, Allen Thornton. They were inspired by Hawaiian entertainers like Don Ho and Keola Beamer. In his teens, Israel moved to Mākaha and formed the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. This band was part of the Hawaiian Renaissance, a period of cultural revival. The group blended contemporary and traditional styles, releasing fifteen successful albums. Their 1984 album, "Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha," became a breakout success.

As a solo artist, Kamakawiwoʻole reached unprecedented commercial heights. In 1990, he released his first solo album, "Ka ʻAnoʻi," which won awards from the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). His 1993 studio album, "Facing Future," became a cultural phenomenon. This album was the first in Hawaii to be certified gold. It later became the state's first certified platinum album. This meant it sold more than one million CDs in the United States.

The most famous track on "Facing Future" was a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World." This recording was a massive success on the Billboard charts. It spent 371 weeks at number one on the World Digital Songs chart. This achievement made it the longest-leading number-one hit on any Billboard song chart. By October 2011, the song had sold three million digital copies in the U.S. As of 2014, digital sales for this specific song exceeded 4.2 million copies.

Kamakawiwoʻole used his platform to advocate for Hawaiian rights and independence. He believed that caring for the land, or "malama ʻāina," was essential to preserving Hawaiian culture. His song "Hawaiʻi '78" included the state motto, "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono." This translates to "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." He used his lyrics to raise awareness about the impact of the tourism industry on native people. His music was a tool for political and cultural expression.

Throughout his life, Kamakawiwoʻole faced significant health challenges. He struggled with obesity and experienced several hospitalizations due to his weight. He also dealt with chronic respiratory and cardiac issues. He passed away from respiratory failure on June 26, 1997, at the age of 38. His death was mourned deeply across the islands. About 10,000 people attended his funeral in Honolulu. His koa wood casket was placed at the state capitol, a rare honor for a non-government official.

The legacy of "IZ" continues to influence global culture. His medley has appeared in numerous films, including "50 First Dates" and "Finding Forrester." Even the Pixar short film "Lava" drew inspiration from his musical style. In 2010, Google honored him with a Doodle on his 61st birthday. This Doodle featured imagery of places significant to his life, such as Diamond Head and Mākaha Beach. His voice remains a symbol of Hawaiian identity and musical excellence.