Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

About Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

The most beloved Hawaiian musician of the modern era, known affectionately as Bruddah Iz. His gentle voice and ukulele defined the sound of the Hawaiian Renaissance, first with the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau and then as a solo artist. His 1993 medley of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'What a Wonderful World' became a global phenomenon, appearing in countless films and reaching audiences worldwide. He was mourned as a national hero when he died in 1997, and his music remains an enduring symbol of Hawaii.