Israel Kamakawiwo 'ole

ISrael Kamakawiwo 'ole is a Hawaiian musician. He is best known for his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World".

Comments

Deep love

I first heard Iz's music at a party with an Hawaiian theme over a year ago, and I promptly went out and bought his CD Facing Future. What an amazing CD! His voice is so unique and his lyrics powerful with a deep love of Earth Mother and his family. With deep soul and feeling, he sings, and he was such a huge man playing a tiny ukelele - I only wish I could have seen him in concert!

Mare, United States - 23 August 2004
The sweetest sound I've ever heard...

The sound of Angels singing. We've all heard the euphemism that speaks to someone or something sounding like the voice of an angel. Israel is the epitome of that. I first heard him on an NPR profile which ended with his rendition of "Somewhere over the rainbow." Hearing him brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. His voice was and still is the sweetest sound I've ever heard. Tragically, he passed on very young though his music and the chorus of angels still lives on.

Gary, United States - 30 June 2004