Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s 61st Birthday - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the U.S., today’s Google Doodle celebrates the 61st birthday of native Hawaiian `ukulele player, singer-songwriter, and activist Israel “IZ™” Kamakawiwo’ole, who is perhaps best known for touching the world with his beloved rendition of “Over the Rainbow” and forever changing the face of Hawaiian music.

Through his joyful songs and lifelong advocacy for the islands’ values and culture, Israel has been widely referred to as the “Voice of Hawai’i.”

Learn more about Iz here on Google Doodle's archive here