The album, which features Kamakawiwo'ole's medley of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World," was certified platinum this week by the Recording Industry Association of America, according to its Honolulu-based label The Mountain Apple Company/Big Boy Records.

A platinum designation is awarded to albums with domestic sales of one million. "Facing Future" was certified gold for sales of 500,000 in 2002.

Sales of the album — released four years before Kamakawiwo'ole's June 1997 death — have risen quickly in recent years, as the "Over The Rainbow" medley has been licensed for use in many films and television progams and commercials worldwide.

The album was added in late 2003 to Apple's iTunes online music store, and this also boosted sales.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" from "Facing Future" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from Kamakawiwo'ole's posthumous 2001 CD "Alone In Iz World" are currently No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on iTunes world music singles sales chart.

"What a trip, huh?" said Mountain Apple owner/CEO and "Facing Future" co-producer Jon de Mello. "It's been warming up to this. We knew it was coming but when it slaps you in the face it's like, 'Whoa!'"

"It means that Israel is alive and well on the world planet. His voice, somehow, spoke to everyone. People found it. It's in the track. It's in the music. ... He wouldn't have believed this."

Reach Derek Paiva at 525-8005 or dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.