Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole with lyrics

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World“ - Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole with lyrics. Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World medley brought legions of new fans to the 1993 album, Facing Future, when it appeared on several TV and film soundtracks years later. To gauge the magnitude of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s popularity in his native Hawaii, consider this: following his death in 1997 (at age 38, attributed to his profound obesity), Kamakawiwo’ole’s body lay in state in the state capitol, only the second person to receive such an honor. Kamakawiwo’ole’s appeal lies in his love for prestatehood, precondominium Hawaii and the expressiveness of his gently passionate voice, which can float through higher registers with an ease that brings Johnny Mathis to mind.