A 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.
Sheila Beal
10 comments
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.
Andrew – I agree. IZ was blessed with an amazing voice.
I get choked up every time i watch this video of Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo?ole. What a great guy. He will be missed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I
This is another one of my favorite Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar videos. This style of guitar is truly amazing.
HAPA performs Haleakala Ku Hanohano (from PBS Special)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SwhM7h73_U&feature=related
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!
5,000?! – WOW! 🙂
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.
Thanks, Dave. You’ve been a great supporter of the site!
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.
Janet – there were several songs and artists that I’d never heard of either. The list turned out to be very eclectic. Me likey! 🙂