# Is Hawaiian Music Really A Thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884 "2010-05-26T22:30:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RhapsodyInBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RhapsodyInBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RhapsodyInBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/21 "2010-05-27T06:02:36Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > The first part of that track is used as a theme song, or on a commercial or something. But I can’t place it. Anyone know? Rice Krispies ---
**Author:** ![RhapsodyInBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RhapsodyInBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RhapsodyInBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/22 "2010-05-27T06:58:42Z")
Here’s a link to the [Rice Krispies’ commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PrIXJ0Abms&NR=1) About ten years ago it was also used in an [eToys commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWqqrbHvArU) It pops up all the time. On TV has been used on _Cold Case_ and _ER_. It was also used in _Finding Forrester_, _Fifty First Dates_, and _Meet Joe Black_. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/23 "2010-05-27T12:38:37Z")
I’m sure Hawaiian music has ancient roots in the Islands, but the Hawaiian music that the whole world began to hear in the 1920’s had pretty multiethnic origins. The ukulele & steel guitar came from the Philippines. But what about the _Paniolos_–Mexican cowboys who helped start ranching in the Islands? Jimmy Rogers, the original Country Music Superstar, sometimes toured with Hawaiian musicians. American slide guitar–from blues through pedal steel–was influenced by these guys. While that style of Hawaiian music grew & waned in popularity, [slack key guitar](http://www.slackkey.com/about_landeza.htm) remained as the more old-fashioned style. Ry Cooder did some fine recordings with Gabby Pahinui (about the same time he was introducing Flaco Jiminez to his fans); that style has become more well known. Hey, Rough Guide has a CD of Hawaiian Music. Listen to samples [here](http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Music-Hawaii/dp/B00004TA6A). Or listen on Pandora or Sirius. ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/24 "2010-05-27T17:14:23Z")
I used to do housework listening to the Hawaiian group “Hapa”. I could not sing along, but their music was so infectiously happy it made housework a pleasure. I’m not sure if Hapa is still making music. Anyone know? My house needs cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/25 "2010-05-27T17:22:04Z")
> [@RhapsodyInBlue](#): > > It pops up all the time. Apparently, because I haven’t seen ANY of the examples you provide, but it’s still familiar. I feel like it was a travel commercial? Something. Anyway thanks for the links. ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/26 "2010-05-27T19:29:03Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > I used to do housework listening to the Hawaiian group “Hapa”. > > I could not sing along, but their music was so infectiously happy it made housework a pleasure. > > I’m not sure if Hapa is still making music. > > Anyone know? My house needs cleaning. Yes they are - [here’s their website](http://www.hapa.com/). They changed the lead singer a few years back, but the guitarist/composer is still the same. Clean away! ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/27 "2010-05-27T23:19:27Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > I used to do housework listening to the Hawaiian group “Hapa”. > > I could not sing along, but their music was so infectiously happy it made housework a pleasure. That’s very cool. Hapa’s great. I have some songs by them, Imua, Ten Feet, and of course, Na Leo and Keali’i Reichel. I’m at work and can’t listen now, but here’s the local Hawaiian music station’s website: > **[FM100](https://www.kccnfm100.com/)** > > KCCN They have live streaming. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/28 "2010-05-28T01:05:27Z")
Hmm, interesting. I looked at Iz’ discography to figure out how many versions of “What a wonderful world” (original song by Louis Armstrong) he made. I count 4 songs released on 4 different albums. Two of them are titled “Over the rainbow / What a wonderful world”, one is “Over the Rainbow,” and the other is “What a wonderful world.” I also checked the lyrics, and “Over the Rainbow” and “What a wonderful world” are identical. At YouTube, OtR is the preferred title, but in actuality, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is one of the songs in the Wizard of Oz. Further research shows that the song from the Wizard of Oz is another (!) cover of Armstrong’s song, but it excludes the “What a wonderful world” line. Therefore, if you are trying to remember a similar song, you may be remembering Wizard of Oz, Louis Armstrong, Iz, or even the Ramones. Personally, whenever I hear the Rainbow title, I think of Kermit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/29 "2010-05-28T01:24:38Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > The most famous of these groups would be Cecilio and Kapono, who made the cover of Billboard magazine in the 70’s. Oh man, don’t forget the [Beamer Brothers](http://www.mele.com/music/artist/keola+%26+kapono+beamer/honolulu+city+lights/). I loved those guys when I was growing up. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/30 "2010-05-28T02:00:37Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > Anyone a devotee? For what it’s worth, my neighbor’s a devotee of it, as he’s a regular fan of that channel, though to be fair I believe it’s because he’s either an ex-pat of the islands or I believe his ancestors were from there, so he likes it because it reminds him of home. He was the one who first introduced me to the concept though of “Hawaiian Music” in general. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/31 "2010-05-28T07:37:55Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Eww. Why? Just because ukulele’s exist in Hawaii doesn’t mean they should be used. To us, it’s like a recorder. I said _could_ not _should_ lol. I know nothing about the particular station’s playlist. But the OP seemed perplexed about it’s potential. I was just pointing out that “Hawaiian music” could be as broad as to include a variety of things. OTOH, while I’m not super excited by ukele folk music, I have quite enjoyed popular songs covered on the instrument by amateurs… ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/32 "2010-05-28T07:41:03Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Apparently, because I haven’t seen ANY of the examples you provide, but it’s still familiar. I feel like it was a travel commercial? Something. Anyway thanks for the links. [Wiki says](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facing_Future): has been licensed for use in movies (Finding Forrester, Meet Joe Black, 50 First Dates, Fred Claus, Hubble 3D) television shows (ER, Cold Case, Scrubs, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Life On Mars), and commercials (eToys). It was also covered on American Idol by the stoner guy, also playing ukelele. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/33 "2010-05-28T09:48:09Z")
Huh, I bet there’s some niche or ethnic music in the OP’s area they didn’t even realize was somewhat less than ubiquitous ---
**Author:** ![rs\_ss350](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@rs\_ss350](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rs_ss350)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/34 "2010-07-10T08:54:29Z")
heard this great song the other day, but didn’t catch the title or artist… lyrics go like this: " let’s unify Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia… and don’t forget the New Caledonians… it’s more complicated that you thought it was… " anyone know this song? thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Acantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@Acantha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acantha)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/35 "2010-07-10T09:21:42Z")
If you live here, there are places where it’s pretty much all you can get on the radio. I love my ipod. 😃 It most definitely _is_ a thing. Iz may be dead, but they’re playing the shit out of him still. A lot of the music is nice, but when it’s all you hear day in and day out it wears thin. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/36 "2010-07-10T10:44:11Z")
> [@rs\_ss350](#): > > heard this great song the other day, but didn’t catch the title or artist… lyrics go like this: > " > let’s unify Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia… > > and don’t forget the New Caledonians… > > it’s more complicated that you thought it was… > > " > > anyone know this song? > > thanks! Is it[Unemlament](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq4CfS1cvGs)? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884/37 "2010-07-10T10:56:44Z")
The wife and I really miss Hawaiian music. We always pick up some CDs whenever we go back to the islands for a visit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hawaiian-music-really-a-thing/540884.md?page=1)