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Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and ukulele player celebrated for his soulful interpretations of traditional Hawaiian music and popular standards.Born in Honolulu, Kamakawiwo'ole began performing as a teenager with The Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, releasing 15 albums. His solo career launched in 1993 with the landmark album 'Facing Future,' featuring his iconic medley of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.' An advocate for Hawaiian sovereignty, he died at 38 from obesity-related respiratory failure.

• His legendary one-take recording of 'Over the Rainbow' was made at 3 a.m. in 1988 by studio engineers who let him in after-hours.
• Weighing over 750 pounds (340 kg) at his heaviest, he required hospital transport via flatbed truck during medical emergencies.
• His state funeral at Hawaii's Capitol building drew over 10,000 mourners, with flags flown at half-staff statewide – unprecedented for a non-politician.
• Posthumously, his 'Over the Rainbow' became a global phenomenon through films like 'Meet Joe Black' and TV commercials, making him Hawaii's best-selling artist despite minimal mainstream promotion during his lifetime.