The vivid music of the Aloha state is an exotic mix of various influences including peaceful rhythms and flowing lyrics that truly celebrate life on the islands. Hawaiian music is full of variety, including slack-key, reggae, falsetto, steel guitar, and jawaiian. Tourists would enjoy the musical traditions of the Hawaiian Islands and it is definitely nothing like any other musical culture in the world. The ukulele is the definitive icon of Hawaiian music and is also closely identified with the islands. The splendor of the Hawaiian Islands has actually inspired a number of the most distinctive and elegant rhythms, which are forever immortalized in song or mele.
It’s virtually impossible for travelers to Hawaii not to be swayed by the local music scene. The various musical influences that were brought to the islands were actually from various international countries and this was in the mid-19th century. As the ancient locals discovered how to play the different musical instruments given to them by the immigrants, the Native Hawaiians were able to develop their musical skills. When olis or ancient chants were initially put into music, it quickly gained acceptance in the community.
It was King David Kalakaua, the Hawaiian monarch considered an undisputed Renaissance man, who truly supported a musical revival. As their ruler, he appealed to all the islanders to use music to express their Hawaiian pride. Hawaiian music reached unprecedented popularity as soon as Queen Liliuokalani, who was the final ruler of the islands, published several of her musical compositions during the 19th century. Various songs like He Mele Lahui Hawaii and the world-renowned Aloha Oe conveyed her Hawaiian pride and love for her beautiful islands.
The composers of the music of the islands acquired a number of influences and mixed them. In the process of combining those influences, the musicians were able to create truly refreshing and unique sounds. Some musical genres that could inspire Hawaiian composers were pop, ragtime, gospel, country western, jazz, and swing.
Today, visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy the exotic and danceable melodies of Jawaiian music, which is the combination of Jamaican reggae and Hawaiian sounds. This type of music uses upbeat and catchy tunes that are meant to celebrate life in the Hawaiian Islands and also to spread positive energies.
For travelers in the state who want to listen to Hawaiian music, they can simply turn on their radio in Hawaii. There are several local radio stations that play entirely island music. There are also numerous local venues on different islands that host live Hawaiian music performances. You can also attend some major festivals like the Molokai Music Festival, the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, the Oahu Steel Guitar Association Festival, or even the Slack Key Guitar Festival on the Big Island. Many hotels in Hawaii also host music performances on the weekends for their guests. No tourist should leave the Hawaiian Islands without experiencing first-hand the wonderful sounds of the island’s rhythmic music.
