Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

The voice behind the ʻukulele medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World." Born in Honolulu in 1959, IZ co-founded the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, then went solo; his 1993 album Facing Future went platinum. He died in 1997 at 38, lay in state at the State Capitol (the only non-government official ever to do so), and his ashes were scattered off Mākua Beach.

• Born May 20, 1959, in Honolulu; died June 26, 1997.
• Founding member of the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau (1976) with his brother Skippy, a key group of the Hawaiian Renaissance.
• "Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" was recorded in 1988 in a single late-night session; it later became one of the most popular ʻukulele recordings ever.
• Facing Future (1993) was certified platinum; it includes a tribute to Gabby Pahinui.
• He lay in state at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, the only person who was not a government official to receive that honor.
• His ashes were scattered in the ocean off Mākua Beach on the Waiʻanae Coast.

Sources: Ukulele Hall of Fame: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole · Wikipedia: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

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