His version to me is the most beautifully haunting cover ever sung by any ( ANY ) performer ever. RIP IZ

Yes that was his funeral. I live in southern California and within the surfing community when 1 of there's passes they do what's called a paddle out. They paddle out into the ocean form circle and splash water to the center and sometimes they throw a reef down. I don't know for sure but I think of this is also called a paddle out and It is a celebration of his life rather than It bean A sad or lamentful experience. They make it joyous and spiritual Just as IZ Did with his singing. He is a Hawaiian national treasure

Makes me cry every time I hear this.

IZ is an inspiration and was loved by all. I was at Makua when they spread his ashes from the Hokule'a. Cars stopped along the 2 lane road leading to Ka'ena bringing traffic to a stand-still. Hundreds of people were wading in the water and hundreds more were on land. A procession of big rigs blew and held their horns echoing through the valley while his ashes were placed into the ocean making it sound as if the State of Hawaii was crying . . . it's a moment I will never forget!

He was 739 pounds when he passed at the age of 49. He was so nice and polite that when he thought of this rendition he called the studio at 3am and asked to record it while it was still fresh in his mind. The producer was so impressed by his manners that they got someone down there and he did this all in one take. Yes, those were his ashes and this was the celebration of his life. If you liked this (Which you obviously did) Then you would also like his song "White Sandy Beach". ....and also DARN YOU FOR DOING THIS ONE AND MAKING ME CRY!!! (Makes me cry EVERY time I hear it)

You've almost singlehandedly restored my faith in our species. Still a long way to go, but I'm less angry at humans than I was before I watched this.

One billion people can't be wrong! I hope he is collecting those royalties in heaven.

Im binging reactions to this & i read a comment on another reaction vid where a guy said/wrote "my psychiatrist literally 'prescribed' that i listen to this song on repeat"....i believe him because this song is magic...its healing, & haunting, & beautiful...its a lot of things. Great reaction.

I believe you've done, by far, the best reaction ever to this piece.

Not only a beautiful voice, but one of the most beautiful souls that ever lived. I was saddened to not discover his music until after his passing, but finding it was a revelation. One of the greatest true vocal artists of all time. You're right about this being a happy song. Iz's version is probably the catchiest version ever recorded. And not only did he record this in one session...he recorded it in ONE TAKE!! He knew it was perfect and needed nothing else!! I also wish I could have known him personally, because he seemed to have been an amazing person to have spent time with.

This man has touched my soul and this is the best version of this song I’ve ever heard. You are right, he died way too young - such a lovely man❤.

Just look at the multicultural mix of people, I am a 4th generation Hawaiian Native American. IZ will always ALWAYS be our National Treasure. Thank you for your love 💕😘💕 and respect.

You must hear the version that includes It’s a Wonderful World w/ Over the Rainbow - it’s inseparable - for full effect! (For the past several years, after Auld Lang Syne and Sinatra’s NY, NY, you can hear IZ’s full version echo throughout Times Square. It’s max chicken-skin to hear his voice mark the New Year!

Israel IZ Kamakawiwoʻole also known as 'Bruddah' . The name 'I Z' pronounce as 'eazy' Excellent Hawaiian singer who passed away on June 26, 1997 due to respiratory failure at age of 38. Rest in peace bruddah,IZ Kamikawiwo 'ole .

I've been a fan of Iz for many many years. He is the one who created this version of Somewhere over the Rainbow. Iz also has a version of Wonderful World that is beautiful. His Hawaiian music is exquisite. An amazing talent that died way too young.

There is so much positive energy in his music, in the simplicity of it, in his voice, in his smile - it is infectious even after a hell of a day.

You just watched the scattering of the cremated remains of a beautiful person with an amazing voice. See you IZ, some time… somewhere over the rainbow. 💕🐚

This version chokes me up every time.. (Don't tell anyone) Such a buttery voice.. I love him, and everyone else. 💋

One of the best reaction videos to this song. It still touches. Throughout the years, the lives lost, it stirs emotions and memories. So beautiful, harmonious, soulful. I love Kaleohano, Hawaii 78, White Sandy Beach, E Ala E.

I like that you did gathering, because the first 5 seconds of the music video was from a small concert he did for the fishing village in Miloli'i. I was just 4 years old at the time and I was there. It was such a joyful and positive day for everyone

Izzy was scheduled to have bariatric surgery but, sadly, sustained severe pulmonary problems and died way too young. At end of the video it shows all the people on the water spreading his ashes into the sea, so we will always have him

Dude had the personality of a saint, and the voice of an angel.

One of the greatest recordings ever! I've heard this song and this version many times and get Misty each time. It is a phenomenal video by a phenomenal Talent. Long Live Iz.

The majority of clips shown were while giving a free concert for those living in the last remaining Hawaiian fishing village, Miloli’i (“Me-low-lee-ee”), a very remote area of the Big Island. IZ went WAY out of his way just to get there with his ensemble…the road down into the village is switchbacked like a mule trail - it’s been said he actually arrived by boat which was the only practical way for him to get there. He was the only civilian to ever be laid-in-state at Hawai’i’s Capitol. IZ lives…just not here anymore. / The full version with What a Wonderful World included says, “I see friends shaking hands saying, ‘How do you do?,’ they’re really saying, ‘I, I love you.’” IZ is loved like a saint in Hawai’i especially. He was the embodiment of, and ambassador of, a godly Aloha Spirit! / I once shook his hand one-on-one at a merch-signing table at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel one afternoon during my lunch break as an Army Recruiter (while in uniform). I joked with him asking him, “You like join Army?” He joked back, “Wat, brah…I like join the HAWAIIAN Army!” - I love this man forever!

i am lost in his voice thank you for finding and reacting to him i'm mesmerized!

Such a beautiful and soothing voice... A very devastating loss

Best singer for this song, haha it crazy how a voice can make me cry and idk why haha. Got me all emotional. I love this song and I wish he rest in peace.

Israel was a gentle giant and a beautiful soul. His cover of Wind Beneath My Wings/He Hawai’i Au is breathtaking as well. Thanks for the absolutely wonderful reaction, Dax. It is one of your best.

You said it right, a celebration of his life!

"Wow, wow, wow" That's pretty much what I said first time I heard this. Still can't get through this song without tearing up.

Brotha Iz was a great guy back in the day he use to be in AOL chatrooms where he would talk and meet his fans and other people. he was so approachable and kind and his voice was that of an angel

He also performed this take in one try... limited studio time and nailed it first go.

The biggest heart and soul! Brudda IZ! Live life, no Madda the circumstances! You can bring love no Madda! If it's in your ❤️? Bring it no Madda! Long live Brudda IZ!

This is my favorite version. His voice is lovely.

Well, we don’t get too many chimneys here so not a word used in everyday language in Hawaii. Ha ha ha

The video very appropriate. However now that u have watched the video just go to the song itself an hear the enormity of his brilliance. Absorb his voice without the background of the video. U will fall even more under his gift to the world. The magesty and simplistic nature of greatest.

One take. Spur of the moment. Gorgeous.

Every time I heard this cover, I would feel like so relieved but also desperate to abandon everything I have, just to go to the beach to do nothing , but living THE LIFE.

Amazing reaction Just what I was looking for What a tribute Aloha!!

Yup that's what we do in hawaii to our love ones

Hey Dax -- I will add my voice to the crowd that believes this version is spectacular. I have heard it before but have never seen IZ singing it. I have always thought it was VERY difficult to compare a female voice to a male's. So I will say that I like Grace's version best among females and IZ's version among males. They both send me into a wonderful near meditative state where love and peace are the order of the day. (Oops, I just revealed my hippie side, sorry.) Both performances illustrate the power of music to give us instant attitude adjustments. The power of music in the hands of people like Grace and IZ is truly a gift to us all! -- Great reaction, Dax.

Yes those are his ashes being released into the ocean in a paddle-out. A paddle-out is where people on surfboards, paddleboards, canoes or whatever paddle out to the ocean to honor someone who has died.

Absolutely love this version of the song. Very good reaction :-)

I loved your reaction to this beautiful song. IZ was very special RIP! 🙏

He was big and very heavy. The fire department was needed to load him into the ambulance. This was before heavy medical equipment was used

This is literally the song I want to die to; the song that plays at my funeral...

Yes, those are his ashes. He loved the ocean and Hawaii.

He and Grace number one on this song. I have listened to him before.

Yup...my fave version of over the rainbow.

At the beginning of the video when you see him smiling and playing the ukulele can you react to that video and song? The song is called “Maui Medley” it’s a live recording but you’ll think it’s a recording...🙂🤙🏽. Big Mahalo’z for your reaction 😉🤙🏽 Yes that was his ashes he wanted to be at his favorite place...😉🤙🏽❤️

tears

Hands down the best reaction and analysis of this song. Thank you sir.

It's a beautilful gift to all of us.

Thanks for reacting to this.. I pretty much cry every time... he is so beautiful!

For more of Israel's musical background, checkout Makaha Sons of Niihau. At their inception, thru 4-5 albums, they were ALL related...Skippy/Israel were brothers, Melvin was the cousin & Louis "Moon" was childhood friend who end up marrying into Kamakawiwo'ole ohana(family). No matter what version of this song have seen, ALWAYS gets me choked up! Iz was THAT kind of Hawaiian.FYI/BTW....Kamakawiwo'ole is pronounced....Kah-mah-kah-vee-voh-olay

His name is actually EASY to pronounce - 7 syllables: Kamakawiwo’ole = “Ka-ma-ka-vee-voh-oh-lay.”

Yup, that’s his ashes. It was an amazing emotional moment

His family were scattered out there, where he was scattered. Go and check out their group called Makaha Sons Of Niihau.

good reaction to such a wonderful song

Best cover so as we lost him way to soon First time I heard this was in

A spinning vibrato, my fave.

The wonderful world part is really good too... the two mix well.

Love IZ and I loved your review!

Yes it's his ashes and celebration of life cut too short. The islands wept that day.

The ashes are scattered into the sea , not dumped into the ocean , sometimes the choices we make in the words we use can just be god awful.... LOL

Everyone here in Hawaii love Brudda Iz 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Beautiful. This may be the video where they spread his ashes in the ocean.

Iz lives

he was spread in makua bay...the same bay his brother was spread as well.

Hawaii finest

He made the song his own

Yes those are Israel's ashes and that is his send-off after his death in 1997. What a beautiful human being he shows us it's not the package that someone comes in it's the person's heart that's what God looks upon our heart and meet us where we are to rescue us from our sins. I love the thought that he took me to an imaginary place where there's no pain or sorrow death or war. A happy place where sickness and disease don't exist. I hope to see Israel in heaven along with many loved ones that I have lost along the way. It's absolutely overwhelming his rendition of this song. I don't even want to hear anyone else sing it anymore. I would love this played at a memorial in my honor when I go. I can finally watch this without sobbing. 😊

Grace is good, but IZ is a legend

They lowered the flag 3 times in Honolulu. 2 for politicians. 1 for IZ.

He died at age 38 in 1997

Great reaction! Check out Iam Tongi’s American Idol Audition from this year, you will enjoy and so will we

His song White Sandy Beaches is as good and as emotionally charged , you should react to it

Have you reacted to the Hollies “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother “ ?

Try James Blunt “Monsters”

This is my go-to song when PTSD starts to get to me.

Im sure all the gods in the universe have a special place for IZ

Hawaii 78 by Iz check out

Not many chimny in Hawaii😢

That’s his funeral…the boats.

Those are his ashes.

E

Appreciate you doing your research before you do a reaction video

Too many interruptions

Please stopnig the video

Please stop stopnig the video every 10 seconds

Q.E.P.D ISRAEL IZ 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😖😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭