Online videos | Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo\'ole

Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

This version by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole has been my favorite for the last few years. Its amazing that such a huge guy can have such a delicate voice. Sad that he died, the last scene is his ashes being poured out.

By netchicken: posted on 15-12-2006

That was just beautiful.

I didnt have a clue who he was so I looked him up....thought I would share this:

Throughout the later part of his life, Iz was morbidly obese and at one point carried over 750 pounds (340 kg) on his 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.

The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-mast throughout the day. Iz lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. He was only the third person in Hawaiian history to have this honor bestowed (the other two were Governor John A. Burns and US Senator Spark Matsunaga). Over 20,000 came to pay respects over the course of the first day.

His ashes were scattered into the ocean at Mākua Beach. Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his many admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land and of the people of Hawaiʻi.

By Venus: posted on 16-12-2006