Your Take: Favorite Songs of Hawaii

Tikis at SunsetA few weeks ago, I asked you for your favorite songs from Hawaii to create the perfect playlist. Well, you really came up with some good ones!

Your recommendations ranged from classic Elvis Presley and Don Ho tunes to artists with a Jawaiian-sound (mix of Reggae and Hawaiian styles). The most frequently mentioned artists were Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole, Hawaiian Style Band, John Cruz and Hapa .

Whether you’re already a fan of Hawaii’s music or you’re looking for songs to set the mood for your upcoming Hawaii vacation, you’ll find a great collection is this list.

Maui Chimes (Here”s a video of Jerry Byrd & Marty Robbins)

Little Grass Shack (Here’s a video with the Don Ho version)

Hukilau Song by Don Ho

Pearly Shells/Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho

Hawaiian Wedding Song by Elvis Presley (YouTube video)

Ku’uipo by Elvis Presley (YouTube video)

Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley

Rock-a-Hula Baby by Elvis Presley

Aloha Oe by Don Ho

Honolulu City Lights by Keola & Kapono Beamer (YouTube video)

I Miss You, My Hawaii (Here’s the Na Leo Pilimehana version)

Kailua-Kona by Ho’aikane

E Ala E by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole.

Hawaii ’78 by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

White Sandy Beach by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

In This Life by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

Rambler by Ginger Baker Trio (listen here)

Island Style by John Cruz – (YouTube video)

Windward Skies by Ten Feet (YouTube video)

Any song from master slack key guitarist Ledward Ka’apana. Patricia recommended the album Grandmaster Slack Key Guitar

I Love Hawaii by Danny Couch

Lanikai by Darren Beneitz

Hanalei Moon by Dennis Pavao

Blue Hawaiian Moonlight by Gabby Pahinui

Welina Mai by Blaine Kai

Kikau by Blaine Kai

Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai by Hapa

He’eia by Hapa

Manoa In The Rain by Hapa

Hawaii 5-O theme by Hapa

Live A Little by Hawaiian Style Band

Rhythm of the Ocean by Hawaiian Style Band

He Po Lani Makamae by Makaha Sons with Robi Kahakalau

Ke Ali’i O Na Lani by Robi Kahakalua

Ke Kali Nei Au (The Hawaiian Wedding Song) – Makaha Sons

Live Aloha by Imua

Hawaii Calls (YouTube)

Let’s Go Around The Island by Elua Kane

Aloha by Manao Company

This is the Life by Kolohe Kai

Tropical Baby by Brothers Cazimero

Pokai Bay by Sean Na’auao

Fish and Poi by Sean Na’auao

Thanks for all your recommendations! I randomly selected winners of the two IZ CDs. Nikki Brown was our facebook winner and Desmond was our blog comment winner.

10 comments
  1. Iz singing “Wonderful World”, hands down. I’ll admit I haven’t heard all of these songs, but something about his voice gets to me and brings me to a happier, more peaceful place whenever I hear it.

    1. Oh, wow, Dave! That is a unique style. Gorgeous song!

      By the way – your comment was number 5,000 on Go Visit Hawaii! Wooohooo! Queue the confetti! 🙂 Thanks for being Mr. 5,000!

  2. Congratulations on the comment milestone! 🙂

    I really do love the interaction on your blog. Most of the travel blogs I visit have little or no interaction at all.

    I get the full-feed so there is no reason to actually visit the site but I do anyway just to see what people are saying in the comments. I’m sure that I’m not the only one.

  3. What a great list. thanks for compiling it like that. I wrote some down because I wanted to look them up but then I couldn’t read my writing! ha ha. It is fun to hear different artists I might not have heard before.

    1. Janet – there were several songs and artists that I’d never heard of either. The list turned out to be very eclectic. Me likey! 🙂

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