Somewhere over the Rainbow (Music Video of the Week)

Music Video of the Week, 25 Nov 2019

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole – TRANSCEND Media Service

Israel “Iz” Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole, in Hawaiian, The Fearless Eyed (20 May 1959–26 Jun 1997) was a Hawaiian musician and sovereignty activist. The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of his funeral. His koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be accorded this honor and the only non-politician. Approximately ten thousand people attended his funeral. He was just 38 years old.

Thousands of fans gathered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997. This video documents the event. RIP dear friend, 350 kg of heart.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kENJm15zPU


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This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 25 Nov 2019.

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2 Responses to “Somewhere over the Rainbow (Music Video of the Week)”

  1. Marilyn Langlois says:

    Mahalo, Antonio! Were you there?
    Iz’ spirit lives on in his music, and has greatly uplifted my life.

    • No, Marilyn, unfortunately I had left my Hawaii in 1994 for Europe. But this video never fails in triggering strong emotions inside of me. As the other song says: smoke gets in my eyes.

      As the Hawaiians endure one century of invasion and occupation by the USA, their musical talents rescue them from the grief and disgust for losing their ‘aina’, their land, to foreigners who still remain there.