Such a beautiful version of this song. So many people have recorded it over the years but I feel this is one of the best. Sadly Israel IZ Kamakawiwoʻole died at the age of 38 in 1997. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was written for the 1939 film "The Wizard Of Oz" & was sung by actress Judy Garland.

I've seen way too many grown up people tear up just hearing this song without the video, and not even this song to not doubt that this man was tuned into Something that most people never even come close to touching.

IZ had the voice of an angel.

Amazingly beautiful. RIP brother Iz!

Yeah, on the surface it's sad but you know what? The people loved him so much and their celebration of his life in the water like that was so honest and real and organic, it's how we should always celebrate someone's life. After my wife passed away 8 months ago there was no funeral or burial with people crying, instead we had a celebration party at the house and invited lots of relatives and close friends and yes there were some tears but that's not what she wanted. She preferred that we eat, drink, smoke, play music, laugh, reminisce, and have fun and that's what we did and what I think people should do. Izi touched people's hearts and the video shows it.

In 1988, a friend of Kamakawiwoʻole called a Honolulu recording studio owned by Milan Bertosa at 3:00 am with a request that Kamakawiwoʻole be allowed to come in to make a recording. Bertosa was about to shut down, but told the friend that Kamakawiwoʻole could come if he was able to make it within 15 minutes. In a 2011 interview, Bertosa recalled, "In walks the largest human being I had seen in my life. Israel was probably like 500 pounds. And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on." A security guard gave Kamakawiwoʻole a large steel chair. "Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over.".....pure genius.

Main song from The Wizard of Oz, very iconic and sung by Judy Garland the child star of the movie. Love it

Bruddah Iz - was one HUGE dude with a sweet voice. This is a great rendition of a great song. I love playing this on my stratocaster.

Lot of love in that video. The guy obviously had a tremendous impact on his poeple and they returned it with a wonderful send off.

Love it. It's beauty. Just beauty.

His voice is like warm melted butter! I love this ❤❤❤

For a couple of brief, shining moments, a star fell to earth and astounded us with his beautiful voice. Then the heavens called him home. 💔

Beautiful and soul touching

The best version ever❤

Written in 1939. Harold Arlen composer. Yip Harberg lyrics, for the movie: The Wizard Of Oz. I'm pretty sure that both Mr Arlen and Mr Harberg would have a huge smile hearing this young man perform it!

With all that is going on in Maui this was a perfect choice Bruddah Iz will forever be the most beautiful voice of the Islands Rest In Paradise 🤙

rip iz... this used to be the closing song for coast to coast am a decade ago rip iz your hawaii bros an sis's are in our thoughts

He made the song Hawaiian. He really interpreted it in his culture so that it almost seems like a song adjacent to the one sung by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. It’s the same. It’s his and hers simultaneously.

It is hard to describe how emotional this recording is.

this one always brings a tear and makes me think of lost friends!

This song could never be more beautiful. ❤️✌️

Iz sang with the voice of the Universe.

He's still a big deal here in Hawaii, Aloha.

Love IZ, a true gift to his people !! Hawaii 78 and Maui~ Hawaiian Superman are both great songs. More IZ equals more love thx for listening...♡

Beautiful

When he sings it gives me goosebumps

R.I.P. IZ Do White Sandy Beach !!!

Stunning song by an amazing artist❤️. And as usual, great reaction!!!

The best cover of this song ever done. ❤ RIP Izzy. Thanks.

The best tip for pronouncing Pacific Islander names is that every single syllable is annunciated. There are no silent vowels.

Please watch it by Judy Garland, too. He went by Iz because most can't pronounce his name. I can't either.

Brilliant interpretation by a kind, good man with a voice that brings peace. I understand you so well, as I have the same problem. Greetings from Portugal.

Yes, the world lost Iz.

Always reminds me of my honeymoon. We went to Maui and this beautiful song was on the radio at least once every hour. This song gets me feeling sad wishing for simpler times.

Yes, Israel, or IZ as he was known is indeed. Hawaiian. You pronounce his surname as Kah-mah-ka viva-ole. The more famous rendition is his mashup of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” - Judy Garland with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Beautiful World”, whereas this was a tribute video made after his passing so long ago, but the mashup is extraordinary in its own right. Another big hit as IZ’s rendition of “White Sandy Beach of Hawaii” which you may wanna listen to. IZ has an extensive catalog of Hawaiian language tunes in addition to those in English, and he covered both classics and the music of his life as well. Hawaiian vocalists often exhibit instruments that are soothing and healing, IZ most definitely fit that tradition but left his own mark. Despite suffering greatly from the physical maladies, he continued to perform and thrill crowds and raise awareness and funds for the poor of Hawaii, preservation of native culture and the epidemic obesity that was growing more rampant. IZ was an Hawaiian & American treasure who will be heard for generations to come. 🙏

I love this version, but just so you know it's not the first version. The first was sung by Judy Garland back in the late 1930's for the movie Wizard of Oz :)

I'm extremely late to this, but heeyyy I'm here 😊 This song played during a photo montage at my oldest brother's memorial service. My "Brudder Timmy" passed away from testicular cancer when he was 37 years old. 🕯️🌈

Yeah, I tear up every time I see this vid. 🤘🏼🤙🏼

Thanks, Biz! You probably have heard the version by Judy Garland in "Wizard of Oz" - but the Big Man made this one his own by changing up the rhythm & melody just a bit... calming voice of an angel... he is legendary in his native Hawaii - much missed... the memorial at the end is where they return his ashes to the sea... always makes me emotional... appreciate your listen...

#IZLives

Hawaii…the only place that I’ve been to that had rainbows on every wave coming in. It was amazing! Waves in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Washington State, England, France, Germany, Turkey and Kuwait….NONE had rainbows coming off the waves. But these are just the places I’ve been to so far…..Cheers

The tune is judy garland in the movie the wizard of oz.

This was in a recent movie.

☮️💙💙💙🔥😎rest Iz

It's from 1939' "The Wizard Of Oz" Judy Garland sang it originally

Wow, are you saything that you never saw "The Wizard of Oz" movie? Goodness that is so sad, Oz is a classic. If Not, please go find a copy and watch, you won't regret it. Judy Garland originally sang over the rainbow, but Izzy's version is so beautiful.He had a voice like an angel - rest in peace dear man 💔

I love this song ❤

So moved by the abundant family love in this. In life and in death

You should listen to the original version and braddah(brother) Iz version..like this one to Judy Garland's version or he doing John Denver's "Country Roads."

Kamaka wee woh olee. I had to practice to get it right, but knowing a bit about the Hawaiian alphabet helps. ALSO: He didn't have a funeral. He had a celebration of his life and works.

There are so many beautiful versions of this song. His version is different from most. You really should react to Eva Cassidy's version. I think hers is the best version and like Iz it's sad about Eva.

I’m crying now . wow

That's where I live bro! I left the real world in '91

I'd love to see a reaction to Izzy's song "Hawai;i 78". It's well known in Hawai'i and, if you prefer, there is another version on youtube that features musicians from all over Hawaii, along with school children and other well-known Hawaiians. Izzy's version of the song had some incorrect lyrics in the chorus, but Hawai'i 78 has subtitles with the correct wording. Izzy's version is beautiful and particularly meaningful to Hawaiians after the recent tragic fires. The first two lines (which are sung in the Hawaiian language) are from the state moto, they are hauntingly beautiful.

Wizard of Oz ❤

❤

Please do the version of Eva Cassidy. It is also brilliant, but sounds like a different song.

Brother IZ RIP 🙏 Yes he is Hawaiian 😅😢

Do yourself a favor, shake hands with death now. We all will at some point. Better to face it.

It's from the Wizard of Oz film originally. How do you not know that?

Jerry Lee Lewis does my favorite version, then Patti LaBelle.

He messed up the lyrics quite a few times but he does have a lovely voice. For the correct lyrics, in the correct order, you should listen to Judy Garland sing it.