Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole (1959–1997) was a Native Hawaiian singer and ʻukulele player whose recordings of “Over the Rainbow” and Hawaiian songs continue to reach new listeners.
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Latest
Israel’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
Big Boy Records
Big Boy Records
Big Boy RecordsOverview
- Also known as
- IZ and Bruddah IZ
- Born
- May 20, 1959 · Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
- Died
- June 26, 1997 · Age 38
- Instruments
- Voice and ʻukulele
- Early group
- Makaha Sons of Niʻihau
- Breakout album
- Facing Future · 1993
Mini bio
How it started.
IZ grew up surrounded by Hawaiian music. At Steamboats in Waikīkī, where his parents worked, he met musicians including Gabby Pahinui. By about ten, he was being invited onstage with his ʻukulele. After moving to the Waiʻanae Coast, he helped form the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau.
Finding his own voice.
His first solo album, Ka ʻAnoʻi, arrived in 1990. In 1993 he began working with producer Jon de Mello on Facing Future, mixing Hawaiian songs with recordings that would introduce his voice to listeners far beyond the islands.
The song that traveled.
His “Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” medley became his best-known recording. Facing Future earned RIAA platinum certification in 2005. His music also found audiences through films including Finding Forrester and 50 First Dates.
A living archive.
IZ died in 1997, aged 38. He also spoke up for Native Hawaiian rights and sovereignty. Today his official channels share recordings and archival performances, while posthumous releases and tributes keep his music close to longtime fans and new listeners.
Creditschronological, newest first
Film recordings
- 2025Lilo & StitchPerformer of “ʻAmaʻama” featured in the film
Solo albums
- 2007Wonderful WorldVocalist · Posthumous album
- 2001Alone in IZ WorldVocalist and ʻukulele player · Posthumous album
- 1996N Dis LifeVocalist
- 1995E Ala ĒVocalist
- 1993Facing FutureVocalist and ʻukulele player
Awards
Quotes
Be strong, know who you are, no be shame, stand up, e ala ē.Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole, official biography
His official biography opens with this encouragement, attributed to IZ.
Trivia
- His surname is translated in his official biography as “the fearless eye, the bold face.”
- The Hall of Fame recounts that he recorded his Rainbow medley in one take after calling engineer Milan Bertosa at 3 a.m.
- Writer Dean Koontz credited IZ’s music as a companion while writing From the Corner of His Eye.
Find Israel
Explore his music and the official channels keeping his archive alive.
Are you Israel Kamakawiwoʻole?
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