By Michael Baginski/ Hawaii is many wonderful things: long sand beaches (both white and black), blue water, white caps and surfing, impossibly dramatic coastlines and fragrant valleys, Polynesian beauties (both female and male), and of course, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
Known simply as Iz, the late great singer/songwriter/ukulele player and local treasure is still considered Hawaii’s greatest traditional singer and “the voice of Hawaii,” despite sadly leaving us in 1997, having been literally too big for this world.
Marvelled at for his 757 pounds, but renowned for his angelic voice, Iz’s memory and legacy remain throughout the islands through his ubiquitous image, and his songs – none more compelling than his unique medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.”
Haunting yet uplifting, the medley has found its way into countless films, TV shows and commercials, giving Kamakawiwoʻole a measure of fame beyond his home islands, but also imprinting in the minds of listeners that the Hawaiian islands are a wonderful place in this world that is not only physical, but that truly exist somewhere over the rainbow.
First released in 1993, check out Iz’s masterpiece below and think of Hawaii, and Iz.
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