In 1988, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, a Hawaiian singer, called a local studio at 3 a.m. and requested to record something urgently.

He begged the engineer, “Can I come in, please? I have an idea.”

Kamakawiwo’ole recorded the famous version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” in one take, which went on to touch countless people around the world.

Even after Kamakawiwo’ole died in 1997, aged just 38, his haunting music and short but inspiring life continued to have a profound effect on people around the world.

Kamakawiwo’ole’s recording, featuring only of his voice and ukulele, had a captivating effect on everyone who heard it. Despite his death at the age of 38 in 1997, his inspiring life and music continue to have a profound impact on people worldwide.

His death:

Kamakawiwoʻole suffered from obesity throughout his life, at one point weighing 757 pounds (343 kg) while standing 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall. He endured several hospitalizations because of his weight. With chronic medical problems including respiratory and cardiac issues, he died at the age of 38 in the Queen’s Medical Center at 12:18 am on June 26, 1997, from respiratory failure.

On July 10, 1997, the Hawaiian flag flew at half-staff for Kamakawiwoʻole’s funeral. His koa wood casket lay at the state capitol building in Honolulu, making him the third person (and the only non-government official) to be so honored. Approximately 10,000 people attended his funeral. Thousands of fans gathered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997.

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