Israel Ka ano i Kamakawiwo ole (Hawaiian pronunciation: [k m k vivo’ ole]; meaning ‘the fearless eye, the bold face’; May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997), also called Bruddah IZ or just simply IZ, was a Hawaiian singer-songwriter, musician, and Hawaiian sovereignty activist.
He achieved commercial success outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” was released on his albums Ka Ano i and Facing Future, and was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials.
Along with his ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres, such as country, jazz and reggae, Kamakawiwo ole remains influential in Hawaiian music, and is seen by many as the best Hawaiian musician of all time.