Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (/ kamakaʋiwoʔole /), also known as Iz , is an American musician and singer, born May 20, 1959 in Honolulu and died on June 26, 1997 in the same city. He became famous when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley, Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World, from the album Ka`Ano`I (1990)>, is featured in many movies, TV series> and advertisements.
Israel Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole was born on May 20, 1959 on O`ahu Island at Kuakini Hospital; He is the son of Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa and Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo'ole. He grew up in the community of Kaimuki, a suburb of Waikīkī, where his parents met and married. He begins to play music with his older brother Skippy at the age of eleven, while he is inspired by the great Hawaiian artists of the time such as Peter Moon (in) , Palani Vaughan (en) , or Don Ho, who attend the institution run by his parents.
Then, his family moves to Makaha (en) . There he meets Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray and Jerome Koko. Together with his brother Skippy, they form the group Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
