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Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A Voice Larger Than Life

You may not have heard of his name or even be able to pronounce it in one try, but you’ve surely heard his voice.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay) was the voice behind the popular medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”Israel was large.

He struggled with obesity all his life like several of his family members. Though he knew that he didn’t have long to live, his musical legacy continues to this day. Israel was over 700 pounds when he passed.

Music had always been a part of Israel’s life. He was born on May 20, 1959, in Honolulu to Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwo’ole Jr., a nightclub bouncer, and Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo’ole, a nightclub manager.

It was always Israel’s goal to popularize traditional Hawaiian music nationwide. In his short lifetime, the singer and ukulele player achieved just that. It was thus apt for NPR music to dub Israel’s vocals as the Voice of Hawaii.

‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’
Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau was considered Hawaii’s most popular traditional group. It released at least eight albums with Israel. Israel recorded his last album with the band, Ho’oluana, in 1991. It is the band’s top-selling CD.

Milan Bertosa, one of the most popular Hawaiian producers and music engineers, recalled to NPR Music how he got a call at 3 a.m. because someone wanted to record music. He was about to close the recording studio but the caller was insistent and he eventually gave in.

Bertosa recounted how 15 minutes later, the “largest human being” went inside the recording studio. At 6 feet 2 inches tall, people often had to scramble to find a chair that was big and sturdy enough for Israel.

“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,” Bertosa, who died on January 1, 2023, said.

A copy was made for Israel while Bertosa kept the original recording which he would often play for family and friends during special occasions.