As you’re touring along on a scenic drive in Hawaii, you can enhance the experience with some excellent Hawaii tunes to accompany the view. So, let’s create the perfect Hawaii vacation playlist.
I need your help, so please comment to share your favorite song(s) from or about Hawaii. If you know the artist’s name, please add that as well.
I’ll be giving away a a copy of Facing Future to one lucky commenter from here on the blog. I’ll also be giving away another CD from our facebook community, too. So, you can increase your chances of winning by commenting in both places, if you wish.
I’m planning a visit to Oahu this Fall. So, I can’t wait to tour the island while listening to our perfect playlist.
Sheila Beal
12 comments
I just love Iz and wish he was still with us!
I love HI too!
So many suggetions come to mind! I would have to include these though, for sure:
Blaine Kia – Welina Mai & Kikau
Hapa – Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, He’eia, Manoa In The Rain & theor take on the Hawai’i 5-0 theme (awesome!)
My absolute favorite Hawaiian music is anything by Ledward Ka’apana. He is a master slack key player and a wonderful singer. Hard to choose a favorite selection though my favorite cd of his is called “Grandmaster Slack Key Guitar” which has many selections with his amazing vocals.
If you are on Oahu you can catch Ledward playing most Sunday nights 6-8pm at Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii Kai’s Koko Marina Shopping Center – it’s FREE and FUN!!!
Iz has become a favorite of mine too. His Over the Rainbow/ Wonderdul World satisfies both my love for Hawaii and my even longer love of Wizard of Oz. Also his White Sandy Beach of Hawaii is another favorite. I also like sevearl Don Ho songs: The Hukilau Song, Pearly Shells/Tiny Bubbles and the ever popular Aloha Oe. Even The King, Elvis has several songs that come to mind: Blue Hawaii and Ku-u-i-po, and the kitchy Rock-a-Hula Baby are nice. Even the Beach Boys’ Sounds of Summer, which doesn’t evoke Hawaii until the first line “Do you wanna go straight to Hawaii?” fits the bill. That is just about 1/2 of my “Hawaiian Soundtrack” I have on my iPod.
From the amount of responses that are coming in so far, you could make up a very extensive CD or playlist for your iPod. Good Luck selecting the best ones, Sheila!
I would recommend the song “Live Aloha” by imua, on their album by the same name. Theirs was one of the albums I couldn’t listen to when I had to move away from Hawaii because it made me too sad, but now that I’m back here to stay I am enjoying their music again!
From: gail24maui
great on the drive to sunset beach “I miss you my Hawai’i” NaLeo
We both love very much the words and music of HAWAII CALLS, it’s a bit “retro” and nostalgic … but I’m just listening to a recording we made during our last trip at the Price Kuhio stage at Waikiki beach …
and I can pretend to be in Hawaii just now !!!
Probably the best song to listen to while cruising Oahu is “Let’s Go Around The Island” by Elua Kane. Other great tunes are “Island Style” by John Cruz, “Aloha” by Manao Company, “Rhythm Of The Ocean” by Hawaiian Style Band, “This Is The Life” by Kolohe Kai, “Tropical Baby” by Brothers Cazimero, “Pokai Bay” by Sean Na’auao, “Windward Skies” by Ten Feet, “Live A Little” by Hawaiian Style Band and “Fish and Poi” by Sean Na’auao. Hope you enjoy some of these suggestions and have a fantastic time on the islands.
Bruddah Iz – White Sandy Beach. His voice is so amazing. I love just his voice and ukulele!
I’m looking for a good mix of maybe not-so-traditional island music for a vacation playlist. Of course I’ll include IZ and Jack Johnson. My favorite hawaiian song is e Kailua e by Justin Nokona. I’ll put some Bob Marley in there too. What else though? Stuff with a bit of an island sound but also upbeat/fun/not necessarily hawaiian but would be fun to listen to while on vacation. Here’s some ideas I’ve had – if you have any others, let me know!
“Message in a Bottle” – The Police
“Land Down Under” – Men at Work
“Santeria” – Sublime
“Red Red Wine” – UB40
“Two Wrongs” – Wyclef Jean
Jo — these are the favorite songs from Go Visit Hawaii readers: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2010/09/30/your-take-favorite-songs-of-hawaii/
Here are some fun, upbeat songs with an island groove:
Mysterious Girl – Peter Andre
Cherry Bomb – Nuffsedd
Cool Down – Kolohe Kai
Show Me – Nesian N.I.N.E.
Shake Me – Justin Young
Your Love – B.E.T.
Don’t Stop – B.E.T.
Beautiful Ladies (Beautiful Girls) – Opihi Pickers
Do Most Anything – Kawao
Heartache – One Groove
Unwind – One Groove
Sweat – Inner Circle
Take You For A Ride – Koauka
Oh Boy – Na Wai
Naughty Girl – Fiji
I’m Yours – Ten Feet