Just in case you don’t know the man behind thissong (and I guarantee you know the song): Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo'ole, or Bruddah Iz, was a phenomenal Hawaiian musician and activist. He spent his life making music and promoting the ideas of Hawaiian independence and the negative impacts of the tourism industry on native Hawaiian people.
(This is my favorite video of Iz, talking about his life and singing a song from Facing Future called “White Sandy Beach.” It’s beautiful. He was beautiful.)
Iz died on June 26, 1997 and is survived by his widow, Marlene, and their daughter Ceslie-Ann “Wehi.” His ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997, while thousands of fans celebrated his life. The gifs above are from video taken at the funeral and used for the What a Wonderful World video.
