Music has always been part of our Kauai trips. There’s something about driving the road to Hanalei with the right song on that makes the whole experience feel complete — like the scenery and the soundtrack were made for each other. After nearly 20 years of annual visits, we’ve built a playlist that travels with us every time.
We finally put it on Spotify. It’s called Kauai Vacation Essentials, and it’s 21 songs — almost entirely traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music — that set the mood for every part of the trip, from the flight in to the drive to the airport on your last morning. You can listen to the full playlist here:
Below, we walk through every song, why it’s on the list, and the Kauai moment it was made for.
The Artists: Who’s on the Playlist
Before diving into the songs, a few words about the artists who dominate this playlist — because understanding them makes the music hit differently when you’re actually on the island.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ) (pronounced kah-mah-kah-vee-voh-OH-lay) — known universally as IZ — is the heart of this playlist, with six songs. Born in Honolulu in 1959, IZ was a Hawaiian musician, activist, and cultural icon whose warm, gentle falsetto became the sound the world associates with Hawaii. His medley of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” recorded in a single late-night session with just his ukulele, is one of the most streamed Hawaiian songs in history. He passed away in 1997 at age 38, but his music remains as alive as the island itself.
Gabby Pahinui is widely considered the father of modern slack-key guitar. Born in Honolulu in 1921, he spent decades refining the ki ho’alu (slack-key) style — a uniquely Hawaiian fingerpicking technique developed by 19th-century cowboys who adapted the guitars introduced by Mexican vaqueros. Gabby’s recordings brought slack-key to international attention and inspired generations of Hawaiian musicians. His son Cyril Pahinui carries that tradition forward and also appears on this playlist.
Dennis Kamakahi was a master slack-key guitarist and composer, and one of the most celebrated Hawaiian musicians of his generation. Born in Honolulu in 1953, he performed for decades as part of the duo Cecilio & Kapono and later as a solo artist. He passed away in 2017, but his recordings — three of which are on this playlist — remain essential Hawaiian music.
Jack Johnson grew up on Oahu’s North Shore and his music carries the laid-back, sun-bleached energy of Hawaiian surf culture. He appears three times on this playlist, providing the Western anchor in an otherwise deeply Hawaiian collection.
Kolohe Kai, Hapa, Troy Fernandez, and John Cruz round out the playlist — each representing a different thread of contemporary Hawaiian music, from reggae-influenced island pop to traditional chant-influenced compositions.
The Songs, Explained
1. “Hele On To Kauai” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
The perfect opening track. “Hele on” means “come along” or “let’s go” in Hawaiian, and this song is essentially an invitation — to Kauai specifically — wrapped in IZ’s unmistakable warmth. There is no better song to put on the moment your plane touches down at Lihue Airport. By the time you’re in the rental car and pulling onto the highway, this song will have already set the tone for the whole trip.
2. “Over the Rainbow” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
If there’s a single song that captures the spirit of Hawaii for the world, this is it. IZ’s medley — recorded in a single session with just his ukulele — became one of the most streamed Hawaiian songs of all time. There’s a gentleness and joy in his voice that feels like Kauai itself. Play it on the drive from the airport on a clear morning, before you’ve even seen the island properly, and you’ll understand why people cry on this song.
3. “Wasting Time” — Jack Johnson
A perfect beach day song. Unhurried, warm, and gently optimistic — “Wasting Time” captures the feeling of a Kauai afternoon where there’s nothing on the agenda and nowhere you need to be. Jack Johnson’s whole catalog has this quality, but this track in particular feels like floating in the water at Anini Beach with the sun overhead.
4. “He’e Roa” — Kolohe Kai
Kolohe Kai is a contemporary Hawaiian reggae/pop group from Oahu whose music blends traditional island influences with a modern sound. “He’e Roa” (loosely translated: “long surfing”) is a smooth, feel-good track that works beautifully for a drive up the North Shore on a summer morning — windows down, heading toward Hanalei. We first heard the track on one of our earlier trips, before we connected our own devices in our rental cars. The song was very popular on local radio stations on that trip, and we heard it just about every time we turned on the car.
5. “Leahi” — Gabby Pahinui
“Leahi” is the Hawaiian name for Diamond Head, the iconic volcanic crater on Oahu — but in Gabby Pahinui’s hands, this traditional song transcends its subject and becomes a meditation on Hawaiian beauty and loss. The slack-key guitar here is extraordinary: liquid, unhurried, deeply expressive. Play it on a quiet morning on the lanai before the day starts.
6. “Ku’u Home ‘o Kahalu’u” — Troy Fernandez
Troy Fernandez is a beloved ukulele virtuoso from Oahu known for blending traditional Hawaiian music with jazz and contemporary influences. “Ku’u Home ‘o Kahalu’u” (My Home of Kahalu’u) is a song of deep place attachment — the ache of loving a specific piece of the Hawaiian landscape. We first heard this song performed by a local group at Tahiti Nui, and it now evokes those evenings and the feel of Kauai for us. After enough visits to Kauai, this song will mean something personal to you.
7. “Home” — Jack Johnson
A quieter, more reflective Jack Johnson track — and one of his most beautiful. “Home” is about the pull of a place that has claimed you, the feeling of belonging somewhere outside where you grew up. After enough trips to Kauai, this song starts to feel like it was written about the island. It’s our go-to for the drive back to the airport on the last morning.
8. “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai” — Hapa
Hapa is a Hawaiian duo known for their lush, layered harmonies and deeply traditional compositions. “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai” (The Seaweed of the Sea) is a traditional Hawaiian chant about the ocean and its gifts — the kind of song that makes you feel the weight of Hawaiian culture and history in a way that no guidebook can. Play it while snorkeling or on a boat along the Na Pali Coast.
9. “Ipo Lei Manu” — Cyril Pahinui
Cyril Pahinui, son of Gabby Pahinui, is one of the finest slack-key guitarists of his generation and a keeper of the tradition his father established. “Ipo Lei Manu” (Sweetheart Adorned with a Lei of Birds) is a romantic traditional Hawaiian song rendered in Cyril’s warm, intimate style. A beautiful evening song — good for a lanai sunset with a mai tai.
10. “Hi’ilawe” — Gabby Pahinui
One of Gabby Pahinui’s most celebrated recordings — a traditional Hawaiian mele about the waterfalls of the Big Island’s Waipio Valley. The slack-key guitar on this track is hypnotic and deeply moving. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a hike through Kauai’s lush interior — the Wailua River trail to Secret Falls, the Kalalau Trail through the Na Pali coast, or the paths through Kokee State Park.
11. “Wahine ‘Ilikea” — Dennis Kamakahi
“Wahine ‘Ilikea” (Fair-Skinned Woman) is a classic Hawaiian love song rendered by Dennis Kamakahi with the warmth and craft that defined his career. The slack-key guitar interplay is elegant and the melody is instantly memorable. This is one of those songs you’ll find yourself humming on the beach without knowing why.
12. “Waikiki Hula” — Dennis Kamakahi
A more upbeat Dennis Kamakahi track — celebratory, rhythm-driven, and full of the joy that characterized his playing. “Waikiki Hula” is a great road song for a bright Kauai morning, capturing the playful energy of Hawaiian music at its most festive.
13. “Ūlili E” — Dennis Kamakahi & David Kamakahi
A father-and-son collaboration — Dennis Kamakahi and his son David — on a traditional Hawaiian song about the ‘ūlili (wandering tattler), a shorebird that migrates to Hawaii. The interplay between the two guitars is beautiful, and the song has a gentle, wandering quality that mirrors the bird’s journey. A wonderful piece of living Hawaiian musical tradition.
14. “Constellations” — Jack Johnson
Possibly the most perfect Kauai sunset song ever recorded, and the most quietly beautiful thing Jack Johnson has made. The song describes a sunset giving way to a moonrise, a family lying under the stars, a father pointing out the constellations overhead. The imagery could have been written on Hanalei Bay. We always play this song at sunset – and every time we hear it on the mainland, it transports us back to those moments.
15. “Island Style” — John Cruz
John Cruz is a Maui-based singer-songwriter whose warm, soulful voice draws from Hawaiian, reggae, and folk traditions. “Island Style” is the most purely joyful song on this playlist — an unabashed love letter to island life, fishing, plate lunches, and the simple pleasures of living in Hawaii. It’s impossible not to smile – and it will turn you into an expert on the Windward and Leeward sides. Great for a beach day or a long, happy drive.
16. “Ka Huila Wai” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
A gentler, more contemplative IZ track — a traditional Hawaiian song about the waterwheel, rendered in his signature style. “Ka Huila Wai” is a good mid-playlist song, a moment to breathe between the more energetic tracks. It works beautifully for a quiet afternoon on the East Shore or a kayak drift down the Wailua River.
17. “Kaua’i Beauty” — Gabby Pahinui
It’s right there in the title. “Kaua’i Beauty” is Gabby Pahinui’s love letter to this specific island — a gentle, warm instrumental that captures something true about the Garden Isle. Hearing it while you’re actually on Kauai, watching the green mountains from a beach chair, is one of those moments that makes you feel like the universe arranged the whole thing on purpose.
18. “Hanohano Hanalei” — Alfred Alohikea
Written by Alfred Alohikea who spent most of his life in Hanalei and became known as the composer laureate of the Garden Isle, this is Kauai’s unofficial anthem — a beautiful ode to the North Shore town and bay. You’ll hear it performed at local venues, luaus, and restaurants across the island. Learning even a little of the story behind it adds a layer to every moment you spend in Hanalei.
19. “Panini Pua Kea” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
A traditional Hawaiian song about the white-blossomed prickly pear cactus — which, fittingly, you’ll see along Kauai’s drier West Shore near Waimea and Polihale. IZ’s version is warm and playful, with ukulele front and center. A good one for the drive to Waimea Canyon.
20. “Henehene Kou ‘Aka” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
One of IZ’s most beloved traditional recordings — a playful, rhythmic Hawaiian song whose title translates roughly to “charming is your laughter.” It’s pure joy: upbeat, melodically irresistible, and deeply Hawaiian. A great song for a morning beach walk or a drive back from Waimea Canyon as the mood lifts after a long day.
21. “White Sandy Beach of Hawai’i” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
The playlist closes where it should — with IZ, on a song about the white sandy beaches of Hawaii, slow and reflective and achingly beautiful. “White Sandy Beach” is the song for your last night on the island: a mai tai on the lanai, the sound of the ocean, the lights going out one by one. It ends the trip the way IZ’s music ends most things — with gratitude, and just a little grief that something so beautiful has to end.
Live Music on Kauai: Where to Find It
The best music on Kauai isn’t on a playlist — it’s live, in the places where locals and visitors come together. Many of the songs on our playlist were first heard on the island. Here are our favorite spots for live Hawaiian music:
Tahiti Nui (Hanalei) — Live music almost every night, ranging from Hawaiian slack-key to contemporary island music. One of the most authentic live music experiences on the island. The bar was founded in 1963 and the music tradition runs deep. See our Best Mai Tais guide for more on Tahiti Nui.
Duke’s (Lihue) — Live Hawaiian music most evenings at the bar, with occasional performances on the outdoor terrace. Free to enjoy with dinner or a drink at the bar. One of the most consistent live music venues on the island.
Kalypso (Hanalei) — Occasional live music, especially on weekends in summer. The patio makes it a particularly good setting for an evening set.
1 Hanalei / Walina Terrace (Princeville) — Live music on weekend evenings at the Walina Terrace, the best sunset spot on the North Shore. See our best sunset spots guide for details.
Smith’s Family Garden Luau (Wailua) — The island’s most established luau includes live Hawaiian music and dance throughout the evening, culminating in “Aloha ‘Oe.” A wonderful introduction to Hawaiian music culture for first-timers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hawaiian Music for Kauai
Who is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole?
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole — pronounced kah-mah-kah-vee-voh-OH-lay and known universally as IZ — was a Hawaiian musician and cultural icon born in Honolulu in 1959. His medley of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” recorded with just his ukulele, became one of the most beloved songs in the world. A passionate advocate for Hawaiian rights and culture throughout his life, IZ passed away in 1997 at age 38. His music remains the single most recognizable sound associated with Hawaii worldwide, and he has six songs on our Essentials playlist.
What is slack-key guitar?
Slack-key guitar (ki ho’alu, meaning “loosen the key”) is a fingerpicking guitar style unique to Hawaii, developed in the 19th century when Mexican and Spanish vaqueros introduced guitars to the islands. Hawaiian musicians developed their own open tunings and fingerpicking techniques, creating a sound that is intimate, flowing, and distinctly Hawaiian. Gabby Pahinui is considered the father of modern slack-key guitar, and his recordings — along with those of his son Cyril Pahinui and the late Dennis Kamakahi — make up the heart of our Essentials playlist.
Where can I hear live Hawaiian music on Kauai?
The best spots for live Hawaiian music on Kauai are Tahiti Nui in Hanalei (live music almost nightly), Duke’s in Lihue (most evenings), the Walina Terrace at 1 Hanalei on weekends, and Smith’s Family Garden Luau in Wailua. Keep an ear out at farmers markets, the food truck park in Kapa’a, and local festivals as well — Hawaiian music is genuinely woven into everyday life on the island.
How do I access the Kauai Vacation Blog Essentials playlist?
Search “Kauai Vacation Blog Essentials” on Spotify, or use the direct link: open.spotify.com/playlist/75XCWvvURG6IUs6S81ahRF. It’s 21 songs and about 1 hour 20 minutes — the perfect length for the drive from the airport to the North Shore.
What music is most associated with Kauai specifically?
Several songs on our playlist reference Kauai directly: IZ’s “Hele On To Kauai” is an explicit invitation to the island, Gabby Pahinui’s “Kaua’i Beauty” is a love letter to it, and “Hanohano Hanalei” is Kauai’s unofficial anthem — an ode to Hanalei written by Alfred Alohikea, who spent most of his life there.
Music recommendations to add to the list? We’d love to hear them — leave a comment below. And for more on planning your Kauai trip, see our one-week Kauai itinerary, best sunset spots, and Best Mai Tais guide — because the right drink and the right music at the right sunset is the whole point.
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