Somewhere Over the Rainbow 2011 – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

Israel "IZ" Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole was a Hawaiian musician who became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Over the Rainbow" and his cover of Louis Armstrong's classic "What a Wonderful World" were subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television advertisement commercials. Through his ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres (such as jazz and reggae), Kamakawiwoʻole remains one of the major influences in Hawaiian music. Kamakawiwo'ole was born at Kuakini Hospital in Honolulu to Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole, Jr., and Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwoʻole. He was raised in the community of Kaimuki, where his parents had met and married. He began playing music with his older brother Skippy and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11, being exposed to the music of Hawaiian entertainers of the time such as Peter Moon, Palani Vaughn, and Don Ho, who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Israel continued his path as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971 and cousin Allen parted ways in 1976 for the mainland. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole formed the musical group Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau with brother Skippy plus Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray and Jerome Koko. They recorded No Kristo in 1976 and released four more albums, including Kahea O Keale, Keala, Makaha Sons Of Ni'ihau and Mahalo Ke Akua, before Skippy died of a heart attack in 1982. The group became Hawaii's most popular traditional group with breakout albums 1984's Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha and its follow-up, 1986's Ho'ola. Kamakawiwoʻole's last recorded album with the group was 1991's Ho'oluana. It remains the group's top-selling CD.