List RulesOnly artists born or raised in Hawaii or bands formed in Hawaii.
Here are the best artists and bands from Hawaii. Despite Hawaii's small size in comparison to other states, it has made some major contributions to the music industry. For example, the styling of the slack-key guitar is recognizable no matter where you live around the globe. The state has also impacted the country music genre with the introduction of the steel guitar, which can be heard in dozens of classic songs. One thing is certain. When you look at the best musical artists from Hawaii, you never know what you might get.
From folk artists to rock bands, Hawaii has an incredibly diverse roster of artists to call its own. All of the artists on this list were either born in the state or raised there at some point in their childhoods. Don Ho's song "Tiny Bubbles" was a smash hit upon its release. All of the members of the band Iration came from Hawaii, and now, they play their smooth, reggae beats for audiences to enjoy worldwide. Other popular Hawaii artists include Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, Jack Johnson, and Hoku.
Even if you come from the mainland, you will find artists here you adore. Determining who the most famous Hawaii musical artists are is entirely in your hands. It is up to you to decide who the biggest kahuna of them all is.
1
798Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Music of Hawaii, ReggaeIsrael Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (pronounced [kəˌmɐkəˌvivoˈʔole]; Hawaiian for "The Fearless... more2
4811Don Ho
Pop music, Music of HawaiiDonald Tai Loy Ho (August 13, 1930 – April 14, 2007) was an American traditional pop musician,... more- 35216
Jack Johnson
Indie pop, Tropical rockJack Hody Johnson (born May 18, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist,... more - 43411
Arthur Lyman
ExoticaArthur Lyman (February 2, 1932 – February 24, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphone and... more - 5339
Jake Shimabukuro
Pop music, Rock musicJake Shimabukuro (born November 3, 1976, in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American ukulele virtuoso... more - 6297Wilfred Nalani "Moe" Keale (December 3, 1939 - April 15, 2002) was a musician of Hawaiian... more
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The Brothers Cazimero
HawaiianThe Brothers Cazimero are a Hawaiian musical duo made up of Robert Cazimero on bass and Roland... more - 8309
Alfred Apaka
Traditional pop music, StandardAlfred Aholo Apaka, Jr. (March 19, 1919 – January 30, 1960) was a Hawaiian singer whose... more - 9289
Glenn Medeiros
Pop music, New jack swingGlenn Alan Medeiros (born June 24, 1970) is an American singer and songwriter of Portuguese... more - 10279
The Green
The Green is a reggae band formed in 2009 on Oahu, Hawaii. Their sound blends roots reggae... more - 11268
Yvonne Elliman
Popular music, BalladYvonne Marianne Elliman (born December 29, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter, and... more - 12204
Eddie Kamae
Music of HawaiiEdward Leilani "Eddie" Kamae (August 4, 1927 – January 7, 2017) was one of the founding... more - 133420
Bette Midler
Adult contemporary music, Pop musicBette Midler (born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and... more - 14239
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Go Jimmy Go
Ska, ReggaeGo Jimmy Go is a ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul influenced band from Honolulu, Hawaii.... more - 16218
Agnes Lum
Agnes Nalani Lum (born May 21, 1956) is an American gravure idol, singer, actress, and bikini... more - 17229
Razed in Black
Electro-industrial, Gothic rockRazed in Black is a gothic electronic music act created by Romell Regulacion (vocals,... more - 18196
Ooklah The Moc
Roots reggaeOoklah The Moc is a band formed in 1997 playing roots reggae. Through the years and several... more - 19Ledward Kaapana (born August 25, 1948) is a Hawaiian musician, best known for playing in the... more
- 20196Poncie Ponce (born Ponciano Hernandez; April 10, 1933 – July 19, 2013) was an American actor,... more
- 21208
Anuhea Jenkins
Rylee Anuheakeʻalaokalokelani Jenkins, better known as Anuhea, is a Hawaiian contemporary folk... more 22
152Cecilio & Kapono
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Genoa Keawe
Pop music, Easy listening‘Aunty’ Genoa Leilani Adolpho Keawe-Aiko (October 31, 1918 – February 25, 2008) was a Hawaiian... more - 242211
BK3
BK3 is the third solo album by rock guitarist Bruce Kulick. It was released by Twenty4 Records... more - 252211
Hoku
Pop music, Rock musicHoku Ho Clements (born June 10, 1981) is an American singer. She is best known for her 2000... more