01In brief
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a Hawaiian musician best known for his voice-and-ukulele medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which became an international hit. Known as "Bruddah Iz" and "Iz" among fans in Hawaii, he recorded the medley at age 29 during an approximately 20-minute session in which he completed three tracks. The 1993 recording fused reggae, jazz, and traditional Hawaiian sounds to express his vision of contemporary Hawaiian music. His album Facing Future became the first Hawaiian album certified platinum, and his success as a Hawaiian musician was posthumous. He died in Honolulu on June 26, 1997, at age 38.
02Career
Kamakawiwoʻole recorded "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" in 1993, and it appeared on his album Facing Future as a last-minute addition.[1] Built around his voice and ukulele, the performance fused reggae, jazz, and traditional Hawaiian sounds and expressed his vision of contemporary Hawaiian music.[1][3] The approximately 20-minute session took place when he was 29; he recorded three tracks, including the medley that later became internationally associated with "Iz."[2]
Facing Future became the first Hawaiian album certified platinum.[1] Use of the medley in motion pictures, television programs, and commercials sustained its international popularity.[1]
03Legacy
Kamakawiwoʻole died in Honolulu on June 26, 1997, at age 38, from complications associated with morbid obesity.[2] His success as a Hawaiian musician was posthumous.[2]
In 2001, his album Alone in IZ World debuted at number one on Billboard's World Music chart and was the only album by a Hawaiian artist to appear on Billboard's Top 200 album chart that year.[2] In 2020, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry as a recording culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to the nation's recorded sound heritage.[3]
Sources
- 1Library of Congress (accessed September 9, 2026)
- 2Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board (accessed September 9, 2026)
- 3Library of Congress National Recording Registry (accessed September 9, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who was Israel Kamakawiwoʻole?
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a Hawaiian musician best known for his voice-and-ukulele medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which became an international hit. Known as "Bruddah Iz" and "Iz" among fans in Hawaii, he fused reggae, jazz, and traditional Hawaiian sounds to express his vision of contemporary Hawaiian music. He died in Honolulu on June 26, 1997, at age 38.
How was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" recorded?
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole recorded the medley in 1993 during an approximately 20-minute session in which he was 29 years old and completed three tracks. The recording was built around his voice and ukulele and appeared on his album Facing Future as a last-minute addition. Its continued use in motion pictures, television programs, and commercials sustained its international popularity.
What was significant about Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's album Facing Future?
Facing Future became the first Hawaiian album certified platinum.
What happened to Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's album Alone in IZ World after his death?
In 2001, Alone in IZ World debuted at number one on Billboard's World Music chart and was the only album by a Hawaiian artist to appear on Billboard's Top 200 album chart that year.
Why was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry?
In 2020, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry as a recording culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to the nation's recorded sound heritage.