What was Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's Net Worth?
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a Native Hawaiian musician and singer who had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of his death. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is best known for his medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which spent 358 weeks atop the Billboard World Digital Songs chart. The song was first featured on his debut album, 1990's "Ka 'Ano'i," before the more popular acoustic version was included on his second album, 1993's "Facing Future." Kamakawiwoʻole released two more studio albums, "E Ala Ē" and "N Dis Life," before he passed away in 1997 at the age of 38.
Early Life and Education
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was born on May 20, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Evangeline and Henry. His mother managed a popular nightclub in Waikiki where his father served as the bouncer. Kamakawiwoʻole's uncle was the ukulele virtuoso Moe Keale, who served as a major influence on him. After being exposed to the music of several other Hawaiian entertainers growing up, Kamakawiwoʻole began playing music with his brother Skippy and his cousin Allen.
As a teenager, Kamakawiwoʻole studied in the Upward Bound program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He subsequently moved with his family to Mākaha.
The Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau
In 1976, Kamakawiwoʻole, his brother Skippy, and three others formed the musical group the Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau. That year, the group released its first album, "No Kristo." Part of the Hawaiian Renaissance, the Sons achieved great popularity as they toured both Hawaii and the mainland United States. They also continued releasing albums, including "Kahea O Keale," "Keala," "Mahalo, Ke Akua," "Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha," and "Hoʻola." The lineup of the Sons changed many times; one such time was after Skippy died from a heart attack in 1982. Kamakawiwoʻole's last album with the group was 1991's "Hoʻoluana."
Solo Recording Career
Kamakawiwoʻole left the Sons in 1990 to embark on a solo recording career. His first solo album was "Ka 'Ano'i," which featured an upbeat medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World." However, it was Kamakawiwoʻole's acoustic medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" that launched him to international fame in 1993. Featured on his second album, "Facing Future," the song spent 358 weeks atop the Billboard World Digital Songs chart. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" would later be released as a single in the United States, while "Facing Future" would become Hawaii's first certified platinum album.
Kamakawiwoʻole released his third solo album, "E Ala Ē," in 1995; it featured a cover of the popular song "Wind Beneath My Wings." His fourth and final album of original music, "N Dis Life," came out in late 1996, about six months before his death. A few compilation albums of Kamakawiwoʻole's music were released posthumously, most notably 2001's "Alone in IZ World" and 2007's "Wonderful World."
Hawaiian Rights Advocacy
Kamakawiwoʻole was known for his advocacy of Hawaiian rights and Hawaiian independence, and often used his lyrics to promote awareness of these issues. One such case can be heard in his song "Hawaiʻi '78," in which he sings: "The life of this land is the life of the people/and that to care for the land (malama ʻāina) is to care for the Hawaiian culture."
Religion
In the 1990s, Kamakawiwoʻole became a born-again Christian and was baptized at the World of Life Christian Center in Honolulu. He expressed his faith in the song "Ke Alo O Iesu," which translates to "The Presence of Jesus."
Death and Legacy
Kamakawiwoʻole struggled with extreme obesity during his life, and at one point weighed around 750 pounds. His weight sparked a number of chronic medical problems, including cardiac and respiratory issues, and he was hospitalized on several occasions. On June 26, 1997, Kamakawiwoʻole passed away from respiratory failure in Honolulu at the age of 38. The next month, his koa wood casket lay in state, making him only the third person to lay in state in Honolulu history.
Kamakawiwoʻole is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians and singers from Hawaii; he is also the most commercially successful musician from the state. His ukulele playing and blending of such genres as reggae and jazz remain highly influential in contemporary Hawaiian music. In 2010, Kamakawiwoʻole was named "The Voice of Hawaii" by NPR. Meanwhile, his acoustic medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" continues to be hugely popular, appearing in dozens of films, television series, and commercials.
