How a last-minute studio session created the world's most enduring Hawaiian anthem
In short: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, known as Braddah IZ, transformed Hawaiian music with his singular voice and ukulele. His impromptu 1988 recording of a medley became a global phenomenon, eventually spending hundreds of weeks atop Billboard charts and becoming the first platinum album in Hawaii's history, cementing his legacy as a cultural icon.
Born in 1959, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole grew up in Kaimuki, Hawaii, surrounded by the sounds of local entertainers. Alongside his brother Skippy and friends, he formed the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, a group that became central to the Hawaiian Renaissance. His musical philosophy remained rooted in traditional sounds, even as he achieved mainstream success. Beyond music, he was a passionate advocate for Hawaiian independence, often using his lyrics to emphasize the necessity of caring for the land to preserve the culture.
The story of his most famous track began at 3:00 a.m. in 1988. At a Honolulu studio, Kamakawiwoʻole recorded a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" in a single take. This demo remained largely unnoticed until his producer, Jon de Mello, included it on the 1993 album Facing Future. The song's subsequent rise was meteoric, featured in numerous films and television shows, and eventually becoming the longest-leading number-one hit on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart.
Kamakawiwoʻole struggled with severe health issues throughout his life, including obesity and cardiac problems. He passed away in 1997 at age 38. His funeral was a historic event; he was only the third person, and the sole non-government official, to have his casket lie in state at the Hawaii capitol. Today, his influence persists through his massive digital footprint, with official music videos garnering over a billion views, and his induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.
His legacy is not merely one of commercial success but of deep cultural resonance. He promoted the belief that native Hawaiians faced marginalization by the tourism industry, and his music served as a vehicle for his political and spiritual convictions. Whether through his baptism at the Word of Life Christian Center or his advocacy for sovereignty, Kamakawiwoʻole remained a voice for his people until the end.
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