Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow | Reaction

[@ann-marieburrows2253]

I know I'm not the only one who had tears in their eyes the entire song. RIP Iz x

[@kathryndunn9655]

First time I seen this video I cried as he sang the song so well and his story that was playing out but I cried again today as I seen that it was him the ashes so sad

[@janicebehrens5328]

Iz version of this song is so beautiful. It takes me to a special place.

[@VeryCherryCherry]

Tried to sing along. Bawled instead. ❤️

[@TeflonBilly73]

This song gets me every time

[@mrgmusicclass]

Chokes me up every time 😢

[@CatherinePearl100]

The scenes on the water at the end are of everyone sending him off. He was well loved in Hawaii. Don’t know how he died without looking it up, but he was 38.

[@SherriLyle80s]

Yep. He is a legend

[@jonlate4581]

He died because of his weight, sadly. It caused him severe health problems his whole life.

[@nullakjg767]

Everyone who has ever seen a picture of him knows how he died. Theres no such thing as "health at every size". Be happy he made it to 38 with the amount of extra weight he was carrying around.

[@darkzer0670]

Don't know how he died? Seriously? He had a heart attack while running a marathon obviously.

[@CatherinePearl100]

@@darkzer0670 That’s kind of a dick thing to say

[@DazzleMonroe]

In 1988, a friend of Kamakawiwoʻole called a Honolulu recording studio owned by Milan Bertosa at 3:00 am with a request that Kamakawiwoʻole be allowed to come in to make a recording. Bertosa was about to shut down, but told the friend that Kamakawiwoʻole could come if he was able to make it within 15 minutes. In a 2011 interview, Bertosa recalled, "In walks the largest human being I had seen in my life. Israel was probably like 500 pounds. And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on." A security guard gave Kamakawiwoʻole a large steel chair. "Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over

[@anessalyn1035]

I love that they were celebrating his life. He had such a soft voice. I just lost my mom in July and when he says wake up where the clouds are far behind me, makes me think of her. They're somewhere in Hawaii. He died young

[@Nastyn1nja808]

Please check out Kapena " I'll build you a Rainbow" much Aloha to you. Na Leo Pili Mehana " We'll fly With Angels"

[@warrenrines3924]

I'm 54 years old every time I hear this song it makes me cry, it was played at my mother's funeral it was her favorite song. Great reaction

[@kathryndunn9655]

He made me cry this guy first time I HEARD him. Hawaii. I cried this time too didn't see first time it was him that died so sad

[@andypickle1584]

Back in the 90s, I watched a drama called ER. It ran for many years, and one of the beginning characters was called Dr. Mark Green. Imagine watching a character for years through many ups and downs. His character died after battling cancer. This song played, I cried along with many others, and I looked up Israel. Love his voice. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is famously from The Wizard of Oz.

[@shannonallen2993]

I cannot hear this without crying because of ER. Thankfully in the end, he fixed Rachel.

[@nataliearreola6361]

Me too!

[@reanimated]

THAT IS WHY THIS SONG MAKES ME CRY EVERY TIME

[@andidreyes5323]

Yep. But I still love seeing the send-off with joy!

[@danrowe1453]

I've always thought this is the ultimate song to put children to bed with every night. It just makes you feel warm inside.

[@shelleysparks210]

He was considered a Hawaiian treasure 🌺 Iz (short for Israel) was beloved by all South Pacific groups, but especially the Hawaiians. I heard that he died on the airport tarmac, on his way to address his heart issues. RIP Iz 💔 BTW, the water ritual with outriggers is a very loving, traditional Hawaiian way to send your dead to a good place…🙏🏻

[@jennhurl]

Hey Van! Each year (for the past 22) I take my kids back to the beach where I grew up for a week. The last thing we do before we get in the car to leave is sit on the beach together & listen to this song. It's our tradition - a perfect moment. Not to be morbid, but at the request of my daughter, in my will is a list of songs I'd like played at my celebration of life. This is one of them ❤

[@kathryndunn9655]

I've done that too😁 one of mine is Tom jone green green grass of home my mother Welsh

[@Kodi093]

Should play "white sandy beaches " Awesome way to remember a great spirt

[@Nastyn1nja808]

Aloha to everyone!

[@debbysmith5346]

I'm 3/4 Native Hawaiian Japanese American or AAPI, Iz will always and forever be a National treasure! I miss you IZ!

[@kathleenkarsten5739]

So beautiful! In a world that is so complex, the sweet, simplicity of this can only touch our hearts. I get goosebumps EVERYTIME I hear him sing this. Prettiest version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” ever! 🥰

[@tanithschneider3051]

It’s my favorite and I know somewhere in heaven, he and Judy Garland are singing duets.

[@BelindaTN]

I think the ukulele is what makes this so special and so different. I actualy like this version of the song better than Julie Garlands version on Wizard Of Oz. that is some memorial service. Just as special as his special way of singing Some Where Over The Rainbow.

[@berenc7619]

I think Judy would have loved it . What would have been awesome , is that both IZ and Judy did a duet together of the redition of "Over The Rainbow". Just a bit of trivia , the music and lyrics of the original version of "Over The Rainbow " came about with a pianist playing about 8 notes of the song and with hours the music and lyrics had been written and scored with in Judy's singing range . It took less than 2 weeks of rehearsals for the musicians and Judy to record this iconic song from the Wizard of Oz . How the filmmakers at that time managed to make that technical level of 🎬 at that time without the use of anyting CG is nothing less than astounding !

[@Oddworld2024]

This man could have continued to healed so many hearts with his voice. Wow. He’s missed for sure

[@UltraSaltyDomer1776]

He also be a striking rod of activism (because he considered himself to be a Hawaiian activist) for what happen to hawaii. I am sure his voice would of been epic and heard by the Hawaiian people. I hope he is looking down and blessing his people. He was a good man.

[@shawnnixon2811]

Love IZ. Love his medley of somewhere over the Rainbow and It's a Wonderful World.

[@teenystudioflicks1635]

And this is how 'IZ' lives!! Thanks to KZbinrs and social media... Washington State USA here! Love the "IZ" !!!

[@thepunadude]

I LIVE HAWAII, THANK YOU FOR SHARING 'BRUDDA IZ', TO THIS DAY HIS VOICE & SOUL ARE SORELY MISSED!

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Hope. Beauty. Perfection. Originality. Uniqueness. Sadness. Loss. All these and more swirl around inside me when I hear this. Thank you

[@LFRFAMILY]

🖤🙏🏾

[@rebeccalipps8007]

That instrument is a Ukelele. A banjo has a round soundboard & a mandolin has a teardrop-shaped one.

[@vernacohen6988]

I just love this traditional way of sending someone off. There's something so special about Hawaii. I was there only once but left a piece of my heart there. Iz was a legend!

[@wen-nz3sk]

I'd heard IZ many years before, a local boy from Hawaii. Then one day I heard it in the background of a very heart wrenching scene in the TV show ER in which Dr Mark Greene (actor-Anthony Edwards) travels to Hawaii for his final days, hospice of his own... When you said you were feeling something my face was hurting!! 😭 IZ lives!! Through you, through me, through everyone who just watched!! 👍🏽❤

[@mrnice81]

Ah yeah, the episode ER died, to me at least. Couldn't bare watching it afterwards, it surely wasn't a bad show after he left but it just felt hollow to me. Doc Greene was maybe not the protagonist, the focal point of the show, but he was the soul of it.

[@eleanorfriend5217]

This is the best song!! Love that you are listening to it. A loving memorial and tribute to a wonderful man with a huge heart!! 💚💚

[@UltraSaltyDomer1776]

Hawaii 78 is the best song but this is really good

[@DLMaston1]

Iz was cool. He did such a killer version of this tune that nobody even cares that he got the words all messed up. It is such a killer version of the tune!! And yeah, that last bit of the video was Iz's funeral, Hawaiian style.

[@Military450Veteran]

What? He got the words "MESSED UP"? Where? I did NOT even notice that, i actually thought ALL of the words were CORRECT And PERFECT (just like his ANGELIC VOICE), hmmm?

[@hurricaneblaine7751]

No he didn’t get the words wrong…. he made the words to fit his version of the song.

[@shadsullivan7817]

Great reaction man! I love Iz, and his music! Aloha Nui IZ!!! I loved your reaction Thanks!!

[@debrajohnston3450]

He had such a soothing, beautiful voice.

[@victorbustillos9053]

This song was played at my Dad's wake back in 2020...Miss you Dad...Love them while they are still near....

[@mistymikus2438]

His voice sounds like a soft angel 😇 singing love that so smooth

[@beamspickett]

'He did his job' is a beautiful way of saying it.

[@rudyramos2333]

Braddah Iz reaches the masses. All the way down to south Texas he touches hearts. When you hear this, you just feel. Feeling like hugging a stranger and telling them it's going to be ok just because

[@kylesummers1565]

Beautiful, RIP IZ! Been listening to this for years! Peace, Love!

[@11fasteddie]

First time I heard SOR could not stop singinghumming/jamming for weeks, such a beautiful song.

[@Nani-0613]

I cry every time I hear brother IZ music this song included because it's so beautiful and adds more debt to the song and meaning

[@SnowLady_164]

Sadly, you left us, too soon. I cry each time I hear this. R.I.P. IZ. May 20, 1959-June 26, 1997

[@beamspickett]

His voice is magic.

[@Diana-xm1dm]

It's beautiful what you said, "that's something that God will use us to do something so beautiful...touch so many people, effect so many people with, and then, job well done now you can come home".

[@Kodi093]

Long live IZ. They're are so many great songs.. IZ passed from Heart failure. He a Diffently a treasure from Hawaii.

[@purpleelephantdebh]

this video always makes me cry because it's his people saying goodbye to him. RIP IZ

[@councilmandoug808]

This guy used to be forklifted into our gym at school to perform for us. Its hard not to cry while listening to this.

[@kathifielder1110]

This is so beautiful as was your reaction to it. I had heard this song all my life, but I can remember exactly where I was when I heard this rendition come on the radio. I had to stop what I was doing and just take it in. I was completely blown away!

[@JUSTMAR1E]

That was part of his real send off. Man, listen to him mash up somewhere over the rainbow with what a wonderful world. It’s beautiful

[@dawnkeener9836]

On my yt page this song is under my funeral list. I have been loving this song for over 10 years. My boy's know this is one of my favorite songs and his version is the best!

[@craigreid7178]

Over the Rainbow has always been one of my favorite songs ever since it came out in the movie Wizard of Oz. I can't listen to this version without tears. Such a beautiful, heartfelt rendition by a beautiful soul.

[@ronfuqua2117]

R.I.P IZ your smile and style are missed. We will hear you again in the great beyond but until then we will keep your memory alive with the music you left us......

[@StephenBoothUK]

Hawaiian News produced a documentary/memorial about IZ including interviews with him and people who knew him. In one interview he mentioned that if he’d had a bad day he’d just grad an instrument and start singing, it always made him feel happier. There’s some comfort in knowing that him doing the thing that made others happy also made him happy.

[@tomatoseed1443]

Goosebumps, and a lump in my throat....

[@rileystone6789]

Literally the whole world loved IZ ❤️

[@tbella5186]

Been a huge Iz fan since before he died. He was a beautiful soul, and a Hawaiian hero!

[@lazyk8262]

He sang this when he knew he was dying, a brave Hawaiian Brother IZ. We all felt the hope, and love from him, he gave us all love. Aloha for your post at this time, I'm crying now/ Aloha from the Lazy k on Hawaii, Hawaii.

[@40aterules]

You just can't expect the human heart to work that hard and last for long.

[@islander_67lilbrownguy30]

Bruddah IZ still lives in da 2021

[@davidd3948]

Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole, also called Bruddah IZ or just simply IZ, was a Hawaiian musician, singer, songwriter and Hawaiian sovereignty activist. He achieved commercial success outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. Wikipedia Born: May 20, 1959, Honolulu, HI Died: June 26, 1997

[@dinigee]

My favorite version of this song. I cry almost every time I hear it.

[@bittenbyatickgirl]

We played this at my sisters celebration of life, she loved this song so much. I love remembering her, but this song gets me every time. RIP Traci💜

[@alanwhetstone3922]

I'm not crying something in my eyes

[@dirtyjesus9293]

I love that he called and had the studio guy open at 3am, sat down did one take and went home. Just cause he had an idea.

[@LadyGator1983]

As you probably know by now, this song is a cover from the movie “Wizard of OZ” featuring Judy Garland. Judy sang this song and it was iconic. IZ did the cover and it just went ballistic! He did a good job on this song. In my opinion, he made this song his own.

[@cecyliakrl5623]

Wanda Król Niesamowita i piękna piosenka z Serca śpiewana taka łagodna i piękna o ten głos wspaniały Gratulacje.pozdrawiam z Poland dziękuję ♥️💔♥️🕊🍀🕊😢😢🕊🌹🌹🌹🕊🌏

[@yvonnejones9940]

This is one of my favorite songs! I have a list of songs to be played during my memorial service after I die. This sung by Brudda Iz is first on the list, #2 is "The Dance" byy Garth Brooks. He passed too soon, great talent.

[@lorilxn1597]

His voice is so beautiful 😍 may he RIP

[@resipsa6874]

RIP, Iz. That was his funeral and the video is in Hawaii. Beautiful song by a beautiful soul.

[@Pilutta100]

I cry every time, hugs from Sweden

[@ninawest8]

This song makes me feel happy. I play it in the morning before I start my day...it works for me🤙✌😎😇

[@morbidone88]

Crazy he passed so long ago, this was one of the first videos I ever watched on youtube, RIP Izzy

[@deking43]

Such a beautiful song.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

TRUST ME On This Classic My Music Lovin Brother,, A FEEL GOOD SMOOTH SOUL GROOVE,, THE BLACKBYRDS "WALKING IN RHYTHM"..A MUST HEAR.

[@A5p3r07h]

I haven't been able to cry since I was a child. This song makes me want to. It hurts. Yet, I love it. I can't explain it.

[@mokujintx]

RIP IZ!

[@deborahhalbert3372]

Iz was loved. Thx for doing this. ❤️

[@LadyGator1983]

IZ was very loved!!!

[@janefones5505]

Thank you for your reaction..That song was played on my mom's memorial.

[@jeffreymcrae3853]

I cry every time I see this song 😢 R.I.P. Israel I.Z. 💔

[@jaimew9320]

Job well done. You can come home now. Powerful, profound, says it all.

[@kalikokahoonei4781]

Went to that ceremony as a kid ! Legend to us Hawaiians

[@RiseOfThePhoenix30]

Always a thumbs up to this song

[@happymethehappyone8300]

R.I.P. BRUDDAH IZ..THANKS FOR ALL YOU GAVE US..MAY YOUR SOUL BE FOREVER BLESSED..GONE,, BUT DEFINITELY NOT FORGOTTEN. 🙏 ❤

[@beckybexx01977]

IZ was well respected and loved. ❤️

[@mikeywoodcock9724]

Bro, you’re the first reaction video who reacted first to his voice, rather than his size. Much love. #genuinereaction

[@roniboyd613]

Love his music-its so peaceful and restful. I listen to his CDs to relax. Thank you for reacting to Us, I hope you can react to a few more💖

[@carollittle1059]

Beautiful version, RIP

[@oldschool72]

I have 20 of his 100 albums.. R.I.P ....IZ.. your missed so much !!!!!!

[@avahightower4685]

Oh how i cried listening to this song as you played it. Loved your reaction, as always, Van. It's been a long time since I've heard it and had had forgotten what a lovely version this is. However, I had no idea who the singer was. WOW! I was blown away over the incredibly beautiful soul of the man sang this! I became an instant fan, as of this moment. I feel as if I just witnessed a real angel in disguise... an angel whom God sent to earth for a short time to bless the world with a bit of heaven before he had to go back home. What a beautiful man. What a beautiful gift. What a beautiful voice. Thank you for sharing this one, it has been a delight to react to it with you. OH! And you must react to this same song that is sung by Eva Cassidy! Please check that one out too. It is an equally special version that will bless you all over again. :) I love you Van. Thank you for what you do.

[@TheNighthhawk]

IZ, also did this song, and in the middle, would go into, (What a Wonderful World) and finish it with the last verse of. Somewhere over the Rainbow. It is really great.

[@breadboy9714]

He recorded this song in one take I believe and did so at like 3 or 4 in the morning, he woke the owner of the studio up to do so because it deffiently wasn't planned. And yes that was his celebration of life

[@AHJBPhotogonU]

LFR: so happy you discovered brother israel; nice!

[@FrugalMommaInTheWoods]

Beautiful voice

[@ericb6384]

Yessah! Legendary Hawaiian entertainer!!!!

[@shannonallen2993]

Thanks to the TV show ER I cannot listen to this song without crying.

[@zanethind]

His voice just gives you peace even if you're sad. It's Hawaii

[@mj95b]

Aloha ka kou , a hui hou bruddah Iz. We miss you and always will. Hawaii is so very proud of you (I grew up with the terrific Hawaiian music of the 70s - and of course the Makaha Sons). We celebrate the lives of our loved ones rather than wallow in grief. The paddling out is one way for so many to show aloha for one so beloved.

[@azekel7687]

I feel a sense of Peace from this song, this man made a masterpiece, with his voice and his instrumental skills, RIP Iz.

[@shannonlaa5262]

Mahalo for this reaction 🙏

[@7w4Term3lon]

brudda IZ is what we should all strive to become one day...

[@scottallencarr]

My cousin died out there on Hawaii, on Maui. IZ a hero for these people.

[@mpsarge2]

Was his memorial video. Loved by all in Hawaii. Great redention of Judy Garlands song.

[@olehaugan9555]

Pain and love is what I get from this song

[@po5283]

Now that you've reacted to this you have to check out the equally amazing and unique performance by Eva Cassidy. The backstories to both performers is tragic and they both were taken far too soon R.I.P.! I cannot stress how amazing and truly unique Eva Cassidy's voice is, her youtube video of this song was recorded just 6 months before her death and is the only live recording.

[@larrysaenz8964]

Beautiful song 🧡🌈❤

[@Relaxedplaythroughs]

The real sad thing is he wasn't famous until after he passed. He did other covers if you want to listen to them. Like country roads.

[@ffjsb]

He was in Hawaii....

[@benified6920]

perfect song. RIP.

[@tomdowling638]

The Song is also famous, being song by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic movie. The Wizard of Oz. Starts out in black and white, then goes to color. It's said that if you play Pink Floyd's money album. Starting the music at the movie logo's Lion's roar, Movie and music go together.

[@subitman12]

I was in the US Navy (submariner) stationed in Hawaii for 3.5 years. Kamakawiwo'ole passed away before I got there. The locals would affectionately call him Bruddah (brother) Iz in Hawaiian slang.