[Recommended for ukulele singing and playing!] Classic Hawaiian music masterpieces
In this article, we’ll introduce classic Hawaiian songs that are perfect for ukulele singing and playing.
The mellow atmosphere and lively tempos create tones filled with a comforting sense of Hawaii’s breeze.
We’ve picked out soothing Hawaiian music ranging from traditional tunes to popular music!
These are great when you want to enjoy a Hawaiian mood even while in Japan, and they also work well as background music for studying or working.
By all means, use these selections not only when you perform and sing with your ukulele, but also for your relaxation time.
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Recommended for ukulele playing and singing! Classic Hawaiian music songs (1–10)
Aloha ʻOe
Aloha Oe, composed by Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii.
The title means “my love to you,” and it’s a famous Hawaiian song cherished in many countries.
Its greatest charm is the familiar melody that even feels akin to Japanese folk songs.
The gentle, soothing tone is irresistible—it really calms the heart when you listen.
It’s also perfect for singing and playing, since it uses simple chords like C, F, G7, and C7.
Crazy G (Kureijī G)
A technique called ‘jaka-solo’ involves playing the melody with the right hand during strumming.
A famous song that uses this technique is ‘Crazy G.’ It’s a traditional piece with a very long history in Hawaii, and its arrangements vary widely depending on the player.
As a ukulele sing-and-play piece, it’s a bit more challenging because it makes frequent use of the pinky.
For that reason, it’s recommended to practice using YouTube videos and similar resources, starting at a slow tempo and gradually increasing the speed.
Papalina Lahilahi
Rhymed lyrics and double meanings are also a big part of Hawaiian music’s appeal.
How about giving “Papalina Lahilahi” a try? It’s a song that portrays a man and woman in a delicate relationship, and its nuance shifts depending on how you listen.
Each time you delve deeper into the lyrics, you’ll likely find yourself amazed—“Oh, so it can mean that too.” And once you understand the words, the way you hear the ukulele’s sound will probably change as well.
Recommended for Ukulele Playing and Singing! Classic Hawaiian Music Songs (11–20)
Hanalei Moon
Hanalei Moon, composed and released in 1976 by pianist and composer Bob Nelson, is one of the most famous Hawaiian songs written in English, known as a hapa-haole song.
The song is inspired by Hanalei Beach on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, and I can’t help but admire how it captures the moonlit, dreamlike shoreline with a melody that’s both beautiful and bittersweet.
Kaimana Hila (Kaimana Hila)
Kaimana Hila, inspired by Diamond Head, the volcano on Oahu in Hawaii.
The song blends a bright tone with a melody that evokes Hawaii’s cheerful atmosphere, making it very easy to listen to! By the way, “kaimana” means “diamond” in Hawaiian, and “hill” means “hill” in English; combined, they form “Kaimana Hila.” The title’s naming is a bit witty and fun, isn’t it?
E Pili Mai (Epili Mai)
Peter Moon is an indispensable figure when talking about Hawaiian music.
Among his songs, the one I especially recommend is “E Pili Mai.” It has a truly beautiful sound, and amazingly, you can play it with just five chords.
The lyrics are also part of its charm—they’re beautifully written and express a vow of eternal love.
Check out the lyrics and try singing it with feeling.
Incidentally, this song is deeply connected to Hawaiian history, which also makes it an ideal introduction to Hawaiian music.
Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai (Tafuwafuwai)
I think everyone has heard “Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai (Tahuwafuwai)” at least once.
It’s a piece composed around 1960, and lyrics that are widely known today were later added.
Those lyrics depict the pure love of a couple.
Incidentally, in Japan the parody version “Yannacchatta-bushi” is very popular.
Be that as it may, the charm of this tune is that you can challenge yourself with fast picking.
Since the chords are simple, once you get used to them you can gradually raise the tempo, which also works well as a performance trick.